Since the last long post, there has been a LOT going on around here. The seed starting racks have overflowed, plants have been put in the ground, racks have been organized and more seeds have been started again.
Three of our four tall, long trellises were failing last fall, and we are in the process of rebuilding them without lumber when it’s possible. This means that the new trellises will be a couple of feet shorter but won’t rot. Tomorrow morning, the first load of organic compost will be delivered and the rest of the “ingredients” will be mixed with the tractor and moved into storage cans, planters, and into the beds. To say that I’m glad to be at this point is an understatement!
What’s planted outside? Lettuce and spinach!! We took the greenhouse plastic off the hoop house and put on shade cloth a couple of days ago to keep the air temperature at the happy spot for the lettuce. A second flat was set out in a long bed a few days ago to extend the lettuce season. There are peas planted all over the place, and many are 4-6 inches tall now. The bed of spinach looks like it doubled in size overnight with the cool temperature and a little rain. Radishes, beets, onions, and carrots have also been seeded outside and most have sprouted up.
Farmstand days are still in the distance, as the main garden needs to have all the prep work, planting, and some clean-up done and most crops will take some time. But, the greens are ready to be picked at least twice a week now. Get in touch and we can coordinate for this round, and we can start a request list and work through it to get everyone satisfied in the coming week.
For Saturday, there are:
SOLD 2 Mixed Lettuce, $4 per half pound bag
1 Spinach, $4 per half pound bag
Jams, chai latte mix, potato soup mix, seasoned salts (regular, spicy, and 1 rosemary)
Baking is still something that can be done with a little notice, so keep me posted if you want cookies, mini coffee cakes, mini loaves of bread, or biscotti.
And now let’s talk about plants! My life for the last month has evolved around starting seeds, tending to plants, and making lists of everyone’s plant orders. It is now time for them to get hardened off (conditioned to the sun, wind and outdoor temperatures). They were enjoying those real world things all day today. If you have ordered plants, they will be ready for pick up next week beginning on Thursday, April 30th and through Sunday, May 3rd. Please get in touch with a day and time for your plant pick up. I will soon begin planting the gardens here and that shifts my job as plant manager to a much larger area and more tasks – which takes more time, so these potted baby plants need to go to their homes. I will message anyone that has ordered plants as a reminder, too.
Did you miss the plant order time frame? I should have some extras, but that list will be made after all the orders have been pulled. Do get in touch with me if you’d like plants and let me know what’s on your wish list.
Here’s to a great growing season!!