Farm & Garden “Goings-on”
News from 2010
June 14, 2010
Welcome to Kathleen, Linda and Erin. We are so glad to have new volunteers among us! Last week, Linda and Erin harvested a bunch of lettuce from our volunteer lettuce bed. Linda mentioned that Erin could make a meal of the lettuce spread over half the picnic table, and I encouraged her to take it home. I didn't tell her, though, that it's a requirement that you take home whatever your comment suggests you will! At the end of our time, it appeared she hadn't taken any. Pleeeaaasse, Erin, Linda, take the goods! We just hate to see it go to waste. But alas, the counselors were there, so maybe they took it home; and market starts this week.
I reviewed my last email to you all (May 17th), and giggled with I mentioned in it something about "chasing the cold out of my toes". Haven't had that problem too much the last couple of weeks, as it's been cozy outside, although still plenty wet. I haven't documented the rain amounts, but remember many days - 2.5 inches here, 3/4 inch there, 1 inch another time, and others I don't remember. Needless to say, we haven't had to water much in the last month. Kathy L. seems to think we're going to take on a dry spell soon. Only time will tell.
We have finished with all of our transplants, and subsequently used our orphan tomatoes and pepper plants when the ones we originally planted turned out not to look so good 10 days after planting. Of course, the orphans aren't looking much better. Good thing we have volunteers! Volunteer tomatoes, ground cherries, lettuce, and squash transplants from the compost pile. I've joked with Kathy L. that next year we should just poke seeds in our compost pile to get our starts, and not mess with the greenhouse. I think she may have considered it a minute or two.
Carl has lovingly tended the orchard and the corn. All are looking just great. No surprises there! The corn is now knee high ("by the 4th of July"), the raspberry and blackberry are loaded, and the apples are coming out. And all those peas he planted (right side up as opposed to the ones I planted upside down and aren't doing too well) are producing lucious pods we are currently harvesting. The sweet potatoes are struggling along, but I'm sure Carl will just go over to them and wave his hands over them, or sweet talk them somehow, and we'll be harvesting those seven pounders again come October. I have confidence!
The radishes are finished for this spring (I'm SO disappointed - NOT), the carrots are off to a great crop, and we will have a few beets yet this summer. The asparagus has put up it's beautiful summer frond garb, and is shading a few volunteer fennel bulbs and maybe some lettuce. We harvested three kohlrabi last week, with more ready for the market this week. We are looking into getting more seed and attempting a second crop this year like we did last year. We'll also be seeding more fennel and cilantro.
We harvested three nice heads of broccoli from the Southern Comet, variety of broccoli last week. It was nice to see the larger sized heads, as opposed to the stems of DeCiccio we have grown several years past. We'll see if Southern Comet continues to produce.
Most of the green beans have sprouted, though most poorly (did they get planted upside-down??). The lima's look the best. It will be interesting to taste fresh lima beans. Dow Purple podded have sprouted about a dozen seeds, though we'll probably have plenty as they are quite prolific.
Potato bugs have appeared. Carl picked on them last week, and Dexter did so today. And the chickens just turned up their beaks at them. Apparently they like them as much as we do. We were surprised they wouldn't eat them.
Jim and Grant have been busy keeping things trimmed up and paths mulched.
Kathy L. continues to tend the herb bed; it is looking quite happy. Carolyn has lovingly tended the flowers around the Learning Center, and is currently taking a two week break. Will there be a touch of Japan(ese beetles) when she returns from her voyages? Time will tell. At least the chickens will eat those bugs. And Eileen has been busy helping to weed, weed, weed and is off the next couple weeks to tend to her sister, who had surgery. Hope all is going well, Eileen! Also, it was great to see Carole back for a visit. Though I think she's on volunteerman's comp right now, as she re-split open a wound on her finger that had started to heal. Hope that's doing OK Carole!
Camp has started this week, so we'll be attempting to get the kids involved in the gardens in various ways. Welcome camp counselors Karla, Samantha, Franzie, Catie, Allison, and Sara. Grant is helping out as well.
Well, as I finish this (this IS enough to cover the last month, right??), it is again raining outside. Still waiting for Kathy L.'s rain predictions to come true....
Today for snack, we had a bounty of a table, with melon from Kathyleen, Queen Anne Cherries and sugar cookies form Kathy, and Oreos and strawberry sorbet as my contribution. Carl has said that Nadine will provide us with our snack on Thursday. For you new comers, Nadine's goodies are always all the incentive any of us need to come out to volunteer.
A dry two days to you all. Hope to see everyone Thursday!
Brenda
May 17, 2010
Farm hands:
To catch you up due to my lack of emails, the last week and a half was really only a week, as we didn't work this past Thursday due to the rain and it being so wet. But alas, there were a few ducks who wandered out just to see...ok maybe to say hello to the chickens (definitely not Jim - he was there to grab some lettuce for his good wife) and Kathy, because she knew I was crazy enough to stop by. I did greet the chickens, gathered one egg, and harvested a whole three asparagus spears. I peeked around the garden too. Many things have sprouted and I'm sure we'll see some good growth this week.
Two Thursdays ago, Carl's wife Nadine, graced us with some rhubarb coffee cake and her presence. Both were appreciated (she shared a Carl story with us...something about egg fights in the hen house with his brother - glad he's not throwing eggs at anyone at the farm, but now we can say we've been warned!).
Last Monday saw the orchard mowed again, after 3" of rain. Good thing it was finished then, because last Thursday was definitely not a mowing day...more like a rowing (in the water) day. Also last Monday, Grant treated us to some yummy rhubard brownies. Thanks Grant! They were great. Carolyn also came to work in the flower gardens at the Learning Center and brought some apples.
Although our weekend was pretty dry (after 2" of rain between last Monday and Thursday), today we got sprinkled on again. We managed enough to doge the drops, and got the orchard mowed, some flowers tended to, the herb bed weeded a bit more, beans planted, and the chickens talked to. Thanks to Kathy L. for the snack of cookies and (very tasty!) cherries, which we partook of in the dryness of the barn. The chickens happily gave us three eggs, the asparagus had a bountiful bunch, and our volunteer lettuce patch let-us gather some good greens from it, despite being invaded a bit by planting some beans amoung them.
On Thursday, we need to direct sow some more fennel and cilantro, plant lima beans if the soil is not too wet, possibly sow some strawberry spinach, and of course have a snack, talk, and play with the chickens. There will be some radishes to harvest, and probably lettuce, spinach, and asparagus.
One last note, three of the apple trees have little ones hanging on them, and the raspberries and blackberries are both loaded with blossoms. I knew I didn't have to worry with Carl tending after them...he probably sweet talked them that couple of weeks ago when he thought we may not have any raspberries. Oh the thought of a warm summer day at the farm with fresh raspberry and blackberry sorbet for a snack! Now if that thought would only chase the cold out of my toes....!
May 5, 2010
Well, Monday was a perfect day for pulling weeds. We had another inch of rain over the weekend. Sounds right now like we may be in for more tonight.
Carl snuck out last Friday and started planting corn. He used two "new" beds on the north side of the West Unfenced garden (can you picture that Kathleen?) If it is not too wet, he will plant another variety on the two "new" beds on the north side of the East Unfenced garden tomorrow.
Kathleen and Eileen (are they our "eens"?) were busy planting more seed - Parsnip, Strawberry Spinach, and Fennel. They also transplanted the last of the children Kathy L. brought from the greenhouse that were ready to be put into the ground. I just can't remember those kid's names at the moment...maybe Chardlene and Kale-ie...might have been Bobccoli too.
Kathy L., meanwhile, tended the herb bed, which is looking mighty tasty. She always manages to add just the right flavor to our lives!
Carl looked in on the raspberries and black berries. He mentioned he noticed buds on the blackberries, but none on the raspberries, sounding a bit skeptical about having raspberries this year. But I'm not worried...seems to me that last year Carl said we wouldn't have any blackberries due to a late freeze or frost, and then those bushes were loaded. Hence my optimism about the raspberry production this year! Looking forward to making more sorbet for one of our hot summer work days!
Grant spent time weeding a few beds that really needed his attention to get them into shape. I think he's practicing for those campers who may need some of his weeding attention come June.
We met Karla, who will be the counselor in charge (CIC?) at the Farm this summer. She took some time to have a snack with us. I believe she is another one who has been bitten by the Salomon Farm bug, as she is really looking forward to spending most of her summer here.
Carolyn is once again busy tending the beautiful flower gardens up at the Learning Center. I think I may have seen some peas she snuck into the gardens too. Planning on having snack time without us on those peas Carolyn?? Think you can keep those all to yourself, huh?
I do need to say thanks for the apples we snacked on!
Grant mentioned we should have chickens when we return Thursday, as they were due to pick them up Monday afternoon. Looking forward to that.
Which takes us to the list for tomorrow. We need to get the tree guards from the barn and place them around the apple trees that Carl has so lovingly mulched, pruned and sprayed. No mulch for the chickens! also need to put up some sort of fencing around the refreshed June bearing strawberry patch and the bed against the fence in the orchard where we planted potatoes. Then the chickens can roam.
We should have mulch to spread on the paths, and there's still just a few weeds to pull. There may be a pea trellis to build too.
See you all at the Farm!
Brenda
4/26/2010
Kathy knows me well, and knew I'd venture out to the Farm this morning, despite the rain, if to do nothing more than grab a few asparagus spears and some rhubarb. So she went as well. It is wet! 3" of rain since Thursday. And puddles everywhere. We sure did need it. And with the rain, we have more seeds sprouting! Beets, carrots, radishes, potatoes, spinach, and peas, though some pea seeds have died and gone to pea-heaven (glad they're properly buried!). So I stopped by Lowe's and picked up some more pea seeds that we'll plant on Thursday. I also got some bunching onion seeds. I think we're at the end of our planting time frame for those cold loving veggies.
There will be plenty to do Thursday, as our seeds are not the only thing that grow after a good rain. I believe Kathy also has some transplants of Kohlrabi and other crustaceans...er...I mean cruciferous veggies ready to be transplanted (I know...they're called brassicaceae, but I always feel like I'm spelling that incorrectly with all those "ca"'s in that word). The park's dept is also supposed to be bringing out some more wood chips (right Renee?), and we definitely need some of those on our mushy paths. So wear your rain/mud boots on Thursday, and come out for a play date with us all. I'll try to throw together something rhubarby and yummy for break. And if my ears heard correctly, I believe Carl has some extra rhubarb he wants to unload, though it hasn't been touched by Nadine's hands, so it won't be as yummy as the last time he brought some rhubarb for us.
Hope to see you all Thursday!
Brenda
April 22, 2010
Well, we really had a "manly crew" there today! And we got a lot of work done! Carl, Jim and Grant redid the strawberry bed (the June bearing one). No doubt that means we sacrificed having any strawberries off that bed this season, but it was so overgrown with grass and weeds it is likely we wouldn't have gotten much out of it anyway. Re-doing the bed means that it was shovel dug, strawberry plants salvaged, bed tilled and leveled and plants put back in place and watered. Carl thinks the ever-bearing strawberry bed is salvageable, so there will be some strawberries from there.
Of course the problem is that the bed was neglected last year except for picking the fruit.
Mark, Keith and Jim hauled a bunch of wheelbarrow loads of compost up front for Carolyn to spread around. Some of that work was done with nearly flat tires on the wheelbarrows! But, that problem has been taken care of. Keith used an air compressor in the barn and gave a good inflation to all of the tires. Carolyn has been deadheading, weeding, putting supports on the peonies and generally keeping things in shape around the Learning Center. And she does most of that work herself!
Grant tilled up all of the new area. I could be we won't put anything in that right away, since it wasn't on the planting plan. We'll have to see what was going to go into the beds that are going to be shaded by the blacksmith shop going in. Probably will relocate those items. That was a big job of tilling. When we sat down for break, Grant was the only one who looked like he had been working! He was in shirt sleeves and wet with sweat. The rest of us had to put second layers on to be comfortable sitting in the shade at the table.
Mark did some tilling too. A couple of beds that were to receive cauliflower and cabbage plants weren't ready, so he got those in shape. Then he helped me plant cauliflower and kohlrabi. I brought the cabbage back home to be planted on Monday. Mark helped me put covers over those brassicas.....the favored host plant of the white cabbage butterfly. The butterfly its self doesn't do any damage to the plants, but they lay their eggs on their host plants. Then when the eggs hatch, those pale green caterpillars are eating machines! They eat all day and maybe all night! So, the goal is to put barriers over the plants to keep the butterflies off the plants.
Jim dug the last of the parsnips (probably the remaining ones will be left for seed) and cut the asparagus that was ready. I pulled weeds in one of the herb beds while Carl mowed in the chicken yard and the orchard. I hope I haven't left anything out. Everyone makes a contribution at their own pace and within their abilities and interest. A great bunch of people to work with!
p.s. I haven't mentioned Eileen much. And I should. She has been helping me with the seeding and potting up of seedlings at the greenhouse. Every Tuesday afternoon. She comes to the Farm when she can. And because of her help at the greenhouse, I only have to be there once a week. Grant has helped out there a couple of times too. I appreciate both of them.
Brenda is working hard on a fund raising Luncheon for Habitat for Humanity Women Build and couldn't be there today. I'll be glad when she has that project finished up and is back on the Farm.
April 19, 2010
Another jam packed day of sunshine and good fellowship. We even got the Parks Department involved. Jim came to help turn our compost pile, mulch piles and any other pile we could find. He also gave us a new edge to the back garden so we can replace the beds that will be in shade from the blacksmith shop that will be going up soon. He did a great job for us!
Carl worked around the apple trees, removing weeds and grasses that are growing into the mulch. You know how it is. Those are opportunistic plant forms that will encroach any where there is open real estate. I'm not sure if he got them finished today...it takes quite a lot of time to clear all of that stuff out, turn the soil and add the compost. He'll stick with it until it's done. I think mowing the orchard is on his agenda for Thursday.
The strawberry beds are a BIG MESS again! All grown over with grass and runners have all run everywhere!!! We need a dedicated strawberry patch person. It has just been a couple of years since Carl and I dug out all of those plants and reset them!
Grant tilled up several beds to put the cover crops under. Boy, I remember last year what a job it was to hand turn all of those beds with 18 inch high winter oats or wheat or whatever! And it was so thick! Anyway, we didn't do that again this year. I think I heard that Jim McCoy donated the tiller. Thank you Jim!It takes a strong back and upper body to run the thing for any length of time. Nice to have the younger men around to help with it.
Grant also helped with moving some perennial flowers up front to the flower bed behind the sign. That is gradually filling in with low maintenance perennials. Low maintenance is always good.
Brenda was the planting person today. She tucked in leeks, broccoli, and kale. Didn't have time for the kohlrabi, so I'll take those back on Thursday. After planting the brassicas, she covered them lightly with a floating row cover. I haven't seen and cabbage butterflies at the Farm, but I've been seeing them at my place for a couple of weeks. Prevention is always best. And it is going to be pretty chilly for the next several nights. I've been setting the plants outside during the day, but bringing them in at night so this will be their first night out....best to give them a little protection.
That's the news for this time. In case I forget to say it Thursday, why not catch the Arbor/Earth Day activities Saturday at Franke Park. See the Fun Times catalog or call Renee for more information. 427-6005. And, while you are out and about, why not catch the butterflies and fairies at the Botanical Conservatory?
4/15/2010
What a great morning to enjoy time at the Farm. Lots of spring work going on. Brenda noted that the peas planted last week have begun to sprout. And we have perennials that are up and growing strong. Although some "thief?" came in the night (?) and picked some of our asparagus last week, there were some stalks to be picked today. Brenda harvested some rhubarb. Perhaps we will see it return in the form of a crunch or pie later in the spring or summer when she is less busy with other facets in her life.
Carl and Jim planted more potatoes --russets, Yukon Gold, and redskins. Carl began turning the soil around the apple trees, adding compost and mulch in preparation for putting the frames over the area.....this is done to keep the chickens (when they arrive) from scratching all of the mulch and loose soil away from the trees. The crab apple is bursting into bloom. The other trees are a little slower showing their spring colors. Trying to recall the various tree's production last year, we are remembering that we've not gotten any apples off 3 of the trees. Those will need to be evaluated for one more time this year. If no production we should consider pulling them.
For the past 3 years, we've used a product called Surround to protect the trees from their various insect pests. We have had disappointing results over the course of those 3 years, so this year we've switched to a new product recommended by Carl, our main orchard guy. Whatever our results are this year, they are bound to be better than we've had for the past several years.
Brenda put fish emulsion fertilizer on everything that has been planted thus far. Fish emulsion fertilizer is an organic fertilizer that can be used as a ground drench or as a foliar drench. Since we don't have foliage yet on those things newly planted, she poured the mix over the soil. Perennials get a top coat of compost made from the previous year.
New volunteer Mark, was the tiller man today. He tilled several beds in preparation for things we have ready for planting from the greenhouse. I brought them home with me Tuesday, thinking we could plant them today, however, the weekend temperatures are going to be in the mid-fifties and I was afraid they weren't hardened off enough yet to tolerate the cooler nights. So, I move them in and out of the garage until we put them in the ground. Maybe Monday and cover with floating row covers. The row covers will also provide a little extra comfort by holding some heat in from the daytime to soften cooler night temperatures. The plants also need to make the adjustment of not being watered as frequently as they are in the greenhouse. Those "adjustments" are what is meant by "hardening" off your plants.
New volunteer Grant was on the string weed wacker for a good part of the morning. He went around all of the fences, rocks, piles, cold frames, and etc.to rid them of the grass which always seems to grow highest there. Grant helped with weeding in the herb beds also. He dug a bunch of stray winter onions that had erupted in the paths around the herb beds. Those onions, as denoted by one of their common names, survive the winter and can be used as green onions in the early spring. Later, as they grow in size, they become pretty pungent for fresh eating, but are great for use in sautes, soups and stir fries.
Carolyn began early this month working on the flower beds around the Learning Center. All of the old seed stalks and heads have been removed. Weeding of course needs to take place there too. Carolyn enjoys the bulbs that are blooming as she takes on the job of supporting those peonies that have shot up to a foot in height already!
Perhaps we should talk about some new construction taking place at the Farm. I don't have a lot of detail about the construction. What I have heard is that there will be a blacksmith shop constructed next to the back, unfenced garden. The foundation footing was being dug while we were at the garden this morning. I'm guessing that building will play a role in the Fiber Festival and some of the other activities that occur at the Farm. Look for use of the building in upcoming publications in the Fun Times Catalog and perhaps in these notes.
There is a lot of spring work to be done, We welcome all comers. Makes no difference your gardening experiences. We are happy to break you in. Whether you enjoy flower gardening or vegetable gardening, we have something for you! Stop by any Monday or Thursday morning, or contact Renee Baines at 427-6005. Renee will put you in touch with Brenda or Kathy to get you started.
Until the next time, enjoy the out of doors!!
4/5/2010
Subject: First Day at the Farm!
What a lovely morning! The work force was made up of some old timers and some first timers! Brenda, Carl and I were joined by Keith Pomeroy and Mark Floors (who called his brother who is on holiday this week) and invited him and his daughter, Mireya to come work in the garden. Carl's grandchildren Abbey and Conner were there for a time to help too. So, lots of opportunity for new people to learn from us old so and soes. We had a good time. Keith ran the tiller through several beds which allowed us to plant potatoes, peas and lettuce. The potatoes were wrinkly, sprouted things that I found when I was cleaning in the garage yesterday.....lost in the garage from last summer's crop. Thursday we'll do radishes, carrots and beets. Maybe some parsnips.
Speaking of carrots and parsnips, we dug up several of each which we divided up to take home. The asparagus bed was cleared and compost added. As it happened some of those asparagus stalks were broken off........couldn't let them go to waste, so we had to eat them! Yummmm!
As usual we did a lot of weeding and cutting down of last year's stalks. I see many names in the mail list that have hinted they might be interested in volunteering at the Farm. You need not be shy. We welcome all comers. Novice and experienced. And as I review the list I see at least one name that I don't have on the list....shame on me! I'll add it now.
We'll be at the Farm again on Thursday. I'll do my best to get there by 8:30 since Brenda is not going to be there. And we have a long list of things to do!
Kathy
4/1/2010
Subject: Gardeners Start Your Tillers
That is of course a metaphor. Most of you know we don't do a lot of tilling with a tiller at the Farm. This is just a spring welcoming note and to let you know that I'm meeting a new volunteer for the gardens this afternoon. His name is Mark Floors. I'm hoping we will have lots of time to get to know him well.
Another reason for writing is to let you know that I've put next Monday (4/5) and Thursday (4/8) on my schedule to spend a couple of hours at the Farm. I don't plan to start until 9:00 and I haven't checked the weather to see what to expect from Mother Nature, but if it hasn't rained to much on Sunday and if it isn't too grim, I'll be going over to see what can be started.
Carl has been over much earlier and pruned and sprayed the apple trees. Thank you very much Carl!
I've been planting seeds at the greenhouse. Started the leeks in February. March I started some flowers and grasses, cabbage, kale, kohlrabi, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, chard, fennel, and parsley. Tuesday Eileen and I planted peppers, lettuce, cabbage, kohlrabi, fennel, spinach and some more flowers.
Those will want some place to be transplanted into, so we'd best get diggin'!
Kathy
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