As June settles over Hargraves, the farm has taken on a quieter, slower rhythm. The cold snap hit hard this month, bringing overnight temperatures close to zero and frost heavy enough to turn the paddocks silver. With winter firmly here, we’ve moved into maintenance mode—repairing, prepping, and watching the landscape shift under the chill.
Frost Concerns in the Young Orchard
One of our biggest worries this month has been the impact of frost on the plants we are preparing for the orchard. Normally I’d pop the younger ones in the poly tunnel, but the frost came so early I didn’t have time. We’ve been planning to expand the orchard with cold-hardy fruits, but even with the right varieties, young roots and soft new growth are vulnerable. On a few especially icy mornings, I’ve wandered out early with a torch to check how everything’s holding up. So far so good! Some leaf loss but everything has pulled through so far. With the worst of winter likely still ahead, we’re holding off on any new plants until the risk eases.
Kangaroos on the Move
One expected change this month has been the increase in kangaroo activity. We’ve always had roos around, but lately they’ve been everywhere—dozens moving across the lower paddocks at dusk. The bush feed is low after the dry start to the year, and with the frosts settling in, pasture grasses are the easiest green pick.
We have one old boy who hangs around the homestead. He moves slowly and his years show in his grey whiskers. We’ve opened the gates to the front paddock so he doesn’t have to travel far and has access to the dam.
Rain, Wind and Downed Trees
The good news? There’s been plenty of rain—decent, soaking falls that have topped up the tanks and filled the dams. You can hear the frogs in the evenings, and the creek lines are gently trickling.
The downside is the wind that’s come with the change in weather. We’ve had several large trees come down this month, some across fences that had to be repaired. There’s nothing quite like fixing wire in a freezing wind, but it’s all part of the season.
The Quiet Season
There’s a strange beauty to this time of year on the farm. The urgency of spring planting and summer harvests has gone. The bees are tucked away with full supers. The paddocks rest. The days start slow and end early, and aside from keeping the fires stoked, there’s not much we have to do.
It’s a time for firewood—chopping, stacking, and hauling—and for dreaming about what comes next. I find myself sketching out spring plans over mugs of tea, thinking about which new plants to trial, and how to better protect the orchard from future frost.
Looking Ahead
Winter may be still, but it’s never truly idle. Beneath the frost-covered soil, things are quietly preparing. So are we. For now, it’s about staying warm, watching the wildlife move across the hills, and doing what we can to keep everything ticking over until the light shifts again.
