Summer’s verdant flush
Summer at the Bench Ranch is like one of those time lapse movies showing a flower opening out of its bud and in short order, after a profuse display of color and scent, the bloom begins to fade and its overblown petals fall to the ground. All of a sudden it is over. The store room cupboard is proof though that summer really happened. The shelves are stacked with armies of shining mason jars full of colorful canned produce, pickles, jellies and preserves, all of which keep us fed and satisfied through the long Montana winter. This year the apple crop was outstanding and since the ranch has its own apple pressing equipment we took full advantage and will be making a large batch of 2013 hard cider with half of the crisp and tangy juice. It is now mid-October and we have already had two major early snowfalls. The elk herd of close to four hundred animals moves down from the higher elevations in such weather to shelter and drink along the banks of the West Rosebud. It is an astounding sight. If the snow melts soon we will finish gathering in the potatoes, carrots and beets, spinach and arugula before the hard freezes set in, and slowly the prolific garden beds will be emptied and allowed to rest under their blankets of compost and snow. If you plan to book a visit to the Torgrimson Place in summer or winter, you will be greeted with homemade cookies or a pie, some Bench Ranch free range eggs, fruit preserves and fresh vegetables or fruit in season to compliment your stay. We look forward to sharing all of it with you.
