Moving Right Along

After nearly two weeks of 80 degree highs (or thereabouts), we all knew the bottom was going to fall out.  And, it did.  The other morning I woke up to 18 degrees F here on the farm.  Fortunately, I was prepared and put an extra cover over the more delicate crops in the tunnels (romaine and snow peas).  It’s been my experience that those two crops, once they’re a certain size, seem to lose hardiness…at least for that kind of low.  Everything made it through just fine.  Now, we have more appropriate lettuce-growing temperatures, 50s-60s for highs.  Things are moving right along.

I’ve started bringing some produce to Barb’s Country Store in the little village of Rector, PA.  Barb and Pat have been very supportive and are glad to have local produce…early.  I bring another small batch of produce this Saturday.  I’ll be delivering more as things ramp up a bit here.

Well, let’s see where I’m at in my overall  plans…….caretaker for the animals when I’m away…check.  Life insurance and beneficiaries updated…check. Disability insurance….check.   Accident insurance…check.   Health insurance…still have to do.   Living will….still have to do…ugh.  Can you tell I’m getting ready to have some fun in the arena this summer?!  It’s going to be a good season.  I feel it in my bones….my old, broken bones.

The Joy of Spring

Today (and the next 8 days) will be way above average. Got about 141 red onions in and the new batch of leek seedlings are doing well.  We’re looking at temperatures around 70F for a high and lows around 50 for this 8 day period.  Perfect weather for everything to grow.  Today was about 70F.  The plants are all responding accordingly. Of course, all the tunnel covers are off and the seedlings are enjoying the warm, fresh air.  I have to keep up with the watering though.  The evapo-transpiration has increased tremendously and we haven’t had any rain.

Thebuds on the sweet cherries are greening up and will break in 2 or 3 days, the blackberries and lilacs have already broken bud.  It’s amazing.  Here’s a shot taken just moments ago of my first Hyacinths.  Ah, the fragrance is delightful!

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

So much to do, so little time.  Awoke at 04:00 this morning to get a head start on work here on the old homestead.  The thermometer read 16 degrees.  A bit chilly.  As the sun came out, the tunnels warmed up and everything thawed out.  All the new seedlings are just fine.  Had to water the seedlings in several of the tunnels.  As the weather warms up, it’s important to keep check on what’s going on inside the covers.  The increased temperatures and stronger light, coupled with increased water requirements for growth, made the soil under cover a bit on the dry side.  Keeping an eye on the soil moisture is critical when the seedlings are just emerging.

Tilled up another section for onions.  I have red onion sets and leek seedlings to set  out in the open areas tomorrow.  I’ve got about 200 more leek seedlings to put out but they won’t be ready to put out for another month. Like parsnips, leeks are a long crop, about 120 days or thereabouts, so best to plant them where they’ll be out of the way for a while.

Growing Season in Full Swing

I realized some time ago that I hadn’t posted since January!  Shame shame!  Well, it’s now March 8th and there’s plenty to talk about.  First of all, planting season began February 4th and 5th here on the farm.  The weather was right, the phase of the moon was right, and the increasing sun angle was right.  All factors contributed to an earlier-than-usual planting startup.  Normally, I would’ve started around Valentine’s Day.

In addition to the usual shorter, low tunnels over the raised beds, I put up another larger 12’x23′ tunnel for long rows of spinach, beets, radishes, and parsnips.  The lowest temperature we’ve had here since planting season began was 7 degrees F.  Seedlings didn’t mind a bit.

The artichokes are coming up well in their tunnel which, incidentally, houses the asparagus.  While the asparagus is not showing any above ground growth yet, I suspect I should be seeing signs of life from those plants any day now.

Here are some recent photos so you can track the progress.  More carrots and beets will be sown this coming weekend, March 9th-12th.  More above ground crops will be sown next week when the moon will be more favorable to those crops.

Pictures shown are:

Spinach seedlings sown February 4th (picture made March 7, 2012)

Romaine seedlings sown February 4th (picture made March 7, 2012)

Tunnel being planted out.  This tunneland raised bed  houses the artichokes.  Beet seeds are shown in the furrows. (picture made February 24, 2012)

Me in the new long tunnel almost all planted out in beets, radishes and spinach (picture made on March 4, 2012)