Farm Update
As I write this, I am looking out the window thinking “Okay
Siberia, you can have your weather back now.
I don’t want it anymore.” It is
hard to see after this long hard winter how things could be green again, but it
is coming soon. The snow has temporarily
halted our blueberry pruning until the snow melts some, for the simple reason
that the cuts have to occur near the base of the plant and all the bushes are half
buried in snow right now. We also have good
news and bad news on the attempted expansion of our production areas. The bad news is that we were not able to get
an extra field for veggies, but the good news is that we were able to get into
an apple orchard! So we should have some apples next fall! Our expectations are modest as the trees are
slightly older, but it
will still add to the variety of our fall shares,
especially as we learn more about apples and their care (which is difficult
using organic methods). We are still looking for extra veggie land, so if
anyone knows of a small plot of acreage that might be available near Alma let
us know. Over the last month it has been
very laid back around our house, and we are very much looking forward to
getting the season started and being surrounded by green growing things! Just a reminder, if you want to be part of
the CSA this season and you haven’t sent your payment yet, please do so as soon
as possible. Once again sign-up has been
very strong this winter, and we want to make sure everyone gets a spot in the
CSA!
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| I considered going outside to take some pictures of the snow, but I'm kind of sick of the stuff. So instead, I decided to bring out some old picutres from September to lift everyone's spirits! Doesn't it just do your heart good to see all those vines reaching toward the sky in the coldframe? |
Looking Forward
It has been great to have a break, but this time of the year
Fred’s itch to plant gets stronger by the day, as does our desire to have an
abundance of fresh veggies in the kitchen.
Although it’s cold and blustery as I write this newsletter, the coming
weeks will stir up a flurry (so to speak) of farm activity very quickly. March is a month that brings with it the
start of our growing season and the first green growing things. Usually the first week of March our
coldframes reach temperatures that can support good germination of salad mix,
spinach, radishes, and other cold tolerant crops. These tunnels are worked with our tractor,
fertilized with compost, seeded, and then watered (a very cold job in March). Our heated greenhouse space also comes alive
as our small greenhouse is rapidly taken up by seeded flats that will be seeded
in the fields as soon as the weather becomes hospitable enough. Usually these are things like the first
broccoli, chard, kale, etc. Then towards
the later part of the month after most of the snow has melted, Fred will spread
our mix of compost and other organic fertilizers on all of our outside
fields. This is done while the ground is
still frozen (if the ground starts to thaw, the tractor makes a real mess of
the ground) so timing is critical in late-March. The nice thing about this early spring time
is that even though freezing temps and strong winds can be an issue, insects
and disease are rarely a problem. Many
other less inspiring activities also occur during this time, like finishing organic
certification paperwork, doing maintenance to coldframes, and making sure
equipment works properly. However, what we are really looking forward to is
those first seedlings that come up as the farm becomes green again. It will be here sooner than we think!
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| Oh, tomatoes! How I miss you! But before we know it, it will be September and we'll have tomatoes in abundance. |
Recipe
Check out this month's recipe for Chipotle Cheddar Chard here. This is just the thing to get all your good winter greens, but also still pretend that it's summer with a little bit of spice! I'd just substitute the canola oil it calls for in the recipe for olive oil, because I prefer the taste, and it's better for you. But really, use whatever oil you prefer. Enjoy!
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| Chipotle Cheddar Chard! (Photo from www.eatingwell.com) |
