Aaron's Page
April brought wacky weather to the extreme. The plants endured a 90 degree high followed by frost. Our furnace rumbled out hot air all by itself, thanks to the 55 degree interior temperature. This has continued throughout May, the coldest in recent memory. Let's not forget how exceedingly wet and soggy this entire Spring has been, creating cultivating and planting delays.
A bright spot of cheer appeared in the form of poultry. Day old chicks, poults, goslings and ducklings arrived, maxing out the cute meter. They proved a significant distraction to the daily task list! And they grow FAST.
After two plus months I finally have internet! It has been very frustrating patching together e-mails with my $20.00 cell phone, not exactly two tin cans and a string, but far from user friendly. Thank you to all the share members who have signed up this year. Later I will post some pictures of our crops and baby chickens. This afternoon we need to transplant fruiting plants: tomatoes, cantaloupe, squash, tomatillas, and okra. The weather has been ridiculously cold and rainy.
The new growing location is prepped and ready for potatoes, sugar peas, snow peas, carrots, greens and lots of other tasty fare. Not too much time for posting as we are working outside. May 8th will be upon us too soon! Work work work!
Meanwhile back at the ranch................or our first location, that too is being prepped. The ground was very soggy, we could not get into the field for about 2 weeks. Finally got initial tilling done for carrot beds. And so it goes, each day has a list of tasks to keep on schedule. Right now the wait is on for transplants to size up.
After luxuriating in balmy temps the thermometer plunged to 45 degrees yesterday. To add insult to injury, cold rain pounded us accompanied by 40 mph wind gusts. I want my warm yellow rays back!
Our March has entered like a lion, with roaring snow, ice, fantastic winds and cold. Despite all that, my spirit is optimistic. Gorgeous seed varieties, a new washing/packing area, and another 1/4 acre for production create wonderful possibilities for 2010.
While waiting for lion to lamb transformation there is a heavy workload during March. How to get it all done?? The anticipation of all the new seedlings is the perfect antidote for end of winter doldrums. Fixing up our "new" barn and prepping the additional ground will make for very long days. I'm so grateful that I have the ability to see and do physical work, I don't care how long the day turns!
It is that time of year.........CSA Lovers, please make your commitment. February is a rough cash flow month for farmers. Expenses for seed, supplies and hardware are incurred now for your veggies even though there is snow on the ground. Your support is vital. Now is the time to get behind local, organic fresh food. We are very busy planning and sowing flats to secure a harvest of delicious, exceptional produce. So make that decision!! Know your farmer........know your food!
I have stumbled upon a most fascinating tome:
BEETON'S BOOK OF HOUSEHOLD MANAGEMENT , is a 1112 page epistle of all things the mistress of a proper English home would need to master. Apparently this classic has evaded me all these years. I cannot begin to describe all this treasure trove has to offer, on every imaginable subject. It was originally published in 24 monthly installments by Englishwoman's Domestic Magazine. Isabella Beeton was only twenty eight when she died, from childbed fever.
There are a few pictures of selected pages on the blog
Ah, the Fedco order arrived. Just what I've been waiting for to start seeding flowers and onions. I'm also taking a few days to recover from hernia surgery, a perfect time to indulge my love of reading farming books. During the growing season there are no such moments.
The UPS driver will be making a few more deliveries the next two weeks, all packages filled with wonderful varieties of herb, vegetable and flower seed. So exciting!
These beauties are a reminder of sun and July on this freezing January night. We will be growing an abundance of sizes and colors for 2010. Stay warm!
We are redesigning our website! Same farm but will look different!