Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Picking, Picking and more Picking!

The days are starting early for most of us around here now. We have to get up quite early to get the spinach picked and washed before it wilts. Also, the cows need to get milked before our second oldest son, Jesse, can get to the fields to get done what needs done. We are picking daily, radishes, spinach, collard greens, heirloom lettuces and tomatoes out of the greenhouse. The tomatoes are finally ripening, Yeah! All those long winter months of keeping them warm is finally paying off. The strawberries are just about ripe and then that will be added to our list as well. The greenhouse was pretty much cleaned out from what was sold as bedding plants and others that were moved to our cold frame. Now it is overfull with pumpkins, winter squash and gourds flats germinating to be planted in 2 weeks. Never a dull moment! Hope you are all enjoying this cool and WET spring. See ya at the markets!

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Spring is in the Air!

Here on the farm it is the busiest time of the year. Everyone is coming and going every which way. One group is planting in the fields, another is discing, tilling and laying plastic and the other group is starting more seeds in the nursery greenhouse. We all work good as a complete team (family) when planting season really hits hard. We've been very fortunate about getting our vegetables out inbetween rains since we use plasticulture. Therefore, we have already been harvesting beautiful heads of lettuce. Collard greens, radishes, and pak choi are also being picked often. Markets are here and we are really having fun this year. My two oldest children, Jeff-21 and Shayla-19 have been doing a couple of markets for us. That sure lightens our load from having to leave home so often. God Bless them for it! We have also ventured out in our home town doing Providence Farms Prepaid Produce Packages. It has taken off quite well. We'll see how the next month of sign up time goes though. I've learned not to count my chickens before they hatch! If you see us at the markets just let us know if you have looked at this blog. There will be pictures on here in a week or so. I'm working on it, among other things!