Silage, Storms, and a New Old Cottage

Silage, Storms, and a New Old Cottage

The past few weeks at Sage Hearth have felt full — not loud or dramatic, just quietly demanding. The kind of weeks where everything seems to hinge on one job being finished before the next can begin, where the weather dictates the pace, and where small moments of humour and comfort carry you through.

The First Silage Cut

This season marked our first ever silage cut here, and we only had one paddock to do — but it was a critical one. That paddock sits at the bend of the L-shape of our land, and until it was cut, a surprising amount of work was on hold. Anything that needed to happen out the back required us to pass straight through it.

Shearing sheep. Moving stock. Dealing with fallen branches and trees. Beginning proper weed management in the back paddocks — poison hemlock, buttercup, stinging nettle — all of it had been waiting patiently for this one job to be done.

Conventional hay bales might have been more practical for use, but with the weather behaving the way it has, I’m deeply glad we didn’t wait. Watching the silage bales finished and wrapped brought an overwhelming sense of relief — the kind that loosens your shoulders without you realising how tense they’d been.

Lessons Already Learned

  • Cut silage early
  • Use that window to get all the necessary back-paddock work done
  • Then, if the season allows, aim for a second cut of conventional hay later in summer

Plans here are always written in pencil — but it feels good to have a direction.

Storm Skies and Knowing Animals

After the silage was put away, the weather began to turn. Darker skies, heavier air, and that unmistakable feeling that a storm was on its way.

The goats had been grazing in the silage paddock once the bales were cleared, but as the clouds built, it was time to bring them home. Promised treats helped move them along — a quick snack before the storm — and they filed back into their home paddock and shelter just in time.

Animals always seem to know before we do.

Here in Taupō, we’ve had plenty of rain and wind, but we know how fortunate we are. Watching the news and seeing the impact of this weather across other parts of the North Island has left us feeling humbled, grateful, and deeply empathetic toward those who’ve been hit much harder.

A New Old Cottage

Among all the weather and land work, one long-anticipated milestone finally came to life: the exterior paint was finished.

Arriving home now feels different. The house feels like ours. A new old cottage, settled gently into its place.

The Projects That Change Daily Life

The fencing is still ongoing, but this current section marks the beginning of a smaller holding paddock — one that will eventually connect to yards and make shearing, drenching, and health checks smoother and safer.

And then there are the patio blinds. A small addition, but a meaningful one. They give us shelter on the back patio when the wind decides to drive the rain sideways — turning it into the perfect spot for a cup of tea while listening to the rain.

Small Joys

In the midst of it all, there was a moment that made me laugh out loud: Ben’s label on the vanilla coffee syrup — Vanilla Ice.

Author Bio
Casey is the voice behind Sage Hearth Homestead, sharing stories of slow land restoration, seasonal work, and the quiet joys of building a life rooted in care, weather, and place.

Location: Taupō, New Zealand

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