Work It

Spring has sprung and did a back flip just to show off. I imagine we are all a little hyper about this amazing weather coming so early. After a very mild winter, I am feeling pretty spoiled right now. Most of this week I was in a tank top. We enjoyed eating lunch on the porch every day and the doors are open on the cabin letting through some much needed fresh air.

It is a little bittersweet to see the acres of woods start to fill in again. I do love green but it is really nice to be able to walk anywhere in our woods through the winter. I’m hoping to carve out some time to keep our trails clear. But, who has time?

Time is my biggest issue 90% of the (eh hem) time. I’m working on not whining so much but I REALLY want my garden to kick granola ass this year. I started early by working with another farm (Leaning Willow Farm) on Wednesdays in their greenhouse. Next week that turns into field work instead of greenhouse work.  I have learned a lot from sweet Eliza.  In exchange for my ‘labor’ I get to take home some seedlings and they through in some nice potting soil last week too. It has given me more confidence in using our greenhouse and with organic gardening in general.

 Other projects have included potting up some of our perennials hopefully to sale in May and June. My tentative plan is to set up a booth on weeks when the perennials look thier best. I’m not ready for a season membership at the farmers market. And if I can’t get my act together to do a few booth weekends, then we will invite folks to buy them from us directly at the farm.

On to foodddddd gardening!

Most of our early spring crops are in. I still have a few more to seed but a lot of progress has been made. A biggggg shout out to Matt for getting the garden spaced tilled. Also, Pegi has been slaving away with me several times a week. I feel a bit bossy out there and she takes it really well. She knows a lot more about plants than I do. I just ‘play’ farmer at this point. I actually drew up a plan this year but I’m not sure why now. I change it as soon as I stick my boots in the dirt.

Jasper is handling all of this garden time pretty well. Since he is mobile, he doesn’t really like to be carried as much. The problem is that he is quick and it makes progress slow for this Mama.  Plant a seedling…grab rock out of child’s mouth…plant a seedling…divert child away from garlic plants, etc. I do think he likes it in the garden. Actually I think he likes to play in the dirt. This year he begins to understand the relationship of the plants and what ends up on his plate. Or not. He may still be too young but he surprises me everyday with his level of understanding.

I took a bunch of photos of the wildflowers popping up. I will try and blog about those soon too. For now…Mama duty calls. 

Happy Spring everyone!

Farming

There are few things that make a farm a farm. I think we are getting there! Here is my list and where we stand...

A garden - Our third farm garden will start being prepared this weekend when we turn the soil over. I have been working with another farm once a week in thier greenhouse. I'm the unofficial intern. They are giving me lots of seedlings as a trade. I'm learning a lot but I think farming is a endless education. We have also done our seed inventory and have been working on the garden lay out. Snow peas go in first...next week!

Something for sale-  I have also been working hard to get the daylily beds in order. We will have some to sell and I'm really out of excuses not to sell them. They will start bloomig in May. I have also started some other flower/herb seeds in the green house. We will see how those 'come up' before we decide if we will sell those too.

A tractor- Bob bought a beautiful tractor. He and Matt have mastered using it. It makes a lot of tasks so much easier. I still need to learn how to drive it myself. Jasper got his first tractor ride last week! He loved it but I think he loves being with his Daddy the most.

Livestock - Our first round of chicks are coming in on April 9th! This will be a whole new experience for us. I'm pretty excited about it. We are getting 20 chicks to start our flock. 10 Buff Orpingtons and 10 Light Brahmas. Matt has a beautiful coop designed. Look for photos soon!

It is a start. My back hurts.
:)