January 7th
Once you start growing year long, spring seems to come so much faster. It actually caught me by surprise last year....when one day I realized, wait a minute...I need to get on this. I guess i was waiting for that break when i would start shopping the seed catalogs that had quietly rolled in well before the holidays. We are presently still in full winter harvest and my first 2017 order has been made, the first seeds are germinating and my rosemary cuttings are in jars on my windowsill.
Seed shopping is still my very favourite job. Along with food shopping, it's one that i never feel guilty about even if i get a little carried away. Every year, we try to simplify our crops with those that are profitable and work for our farm. I do however, have a plant sale... in which, i also sell things that we do not grow here to accommodate the customers and sometimes there are a few of these special plants left over that I could not bear send to the compost pile. As always, I am pretty excited about some new varieties we'll be featuring this season!
In your baskets this week:
2 bags of carrots
1 bag od Hakurei turnips
1 Kale
1 Mizpoona green
X-tra Greens: Spinach and Tatsoi
I am especially happy to announce that yesterday the boys got the second layer of plastic on. This is such a relief. The plastic goes on in sections and the bottom of the greenhouse had both layers but we were waiting for an opportunity to cover the top with it's second layer and losing lots of heat in the meantime. Waiting for the stars to align took a lot longer than we had hoped but it's done.
Wind is the biggest thing to consider when laying the plastic, the slightest breeze is problematic. Things were pretty calm yesterday but they lost the plastic once and had to gather it up for the field. It's obviously a job for more than 2 people but that's what we got. I still can't believe that there has never been more than a two man crew working on this. Great job guys!
This weeks CSA was again 100% up to the boys. Today is the first day i have been able to sit in a chair this long. I am planning to get out there this week and hope all goes well. Thanks for your patience ...it's all been a little overwhelming with the greenhouse, the weather, the holidays and then my back but all seems to be falling back into place.
I am lacking pictures but i did manage to get out there yesterday when i saw they where putting on the plastic.
And that's it. They spent the rest of the day freezing their fingers to properly secure the plastic in the track. Were not done yet but this is the biggest part. The difference inside the greenhouse was instant!
And for your entertainment ...my dog who had some fun as i wrote this post. I can't believe it...I washed the couch cover and placed the pieces in the living room to assemble when i was done this. I'm sure your all familiar with her as she attacks the window when anyone arrives or leaves.
Once you start growing year long, spring seems to come so much faster. It actually caught me by surprise last year....when one day I realized, wait a minute...I need to get on this. I guess i was waiting for that break when i would start shopping the seed catalogs that had quietly rolled in well before the holidays. We are presently still in full winter harvest and my first 2017 order has been made, the first seeds are germinating and my rosemary cuttings are in jars on my windowsill.
Seed shopping is still my very favourite job. Along with food shopping, it's one that i never feel guilty about even if i get a little carried away. Every year, we try to simplify our crops with those that are profitable and work for our farm. I do however, have a plant sale... in which, i also sell things that we do not grow here to accommodate the customers and sometimes there are a few of these special plants left over that I could not bear send to the compost pile. As always, I am pretty excited about some new varieties we'll be featuring this season!
In your baskets this week:
2 bags of carrots
1 bag od Hakurei turnips
1 Kale
1 Mizpoona green
X-tra Greens: Spinach and Tatsoi
I am especially happy to announce that yesterday the boys got the second layer of plastic on. This is such a relief. The plastic goes on in sections and the bottom of the greenhouse had both layers but we were waiting for an opportunity to cover the top with it's second layer and losing lots of heat in the meantime. Waiting for the stars to align took a lot longer than we had hoped but it's done.
Wind is the biggest thing to consider when laying the plastic, the slightest breeze is problematic. Things were pretty calm yesterday but they lost the plastic once and had to gather it up for the field. It's obviously a job for more than 2 people but that's what we got. I still can't believe that there has never been more than a two man crew working on this. Great job guys!
This weeks CSA was again 100% up to the boys. Today is the first day i have been able to sit in a chair this long. I am planning to get out there this week and hope all goes well. Thanks for your patience ...it's all been a little overwhelming with the greenhouse, the weather, the holidays and then my back but all seems to be falling back into place.
I am lacking pictures but i did manage to get out there yesterday when i saw they where putting on the plastic.
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| Rick securing a couple spots along this side, you can see plastic is still floating along the top. The roll of plastic which Rick lifted with a homemade crane was sitting atop the dispenser (top left)for a good 2 weeks. |
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| Unfortunately, I missed the unrolling of the plastic. |
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| Again Rick temporarily securing one side while Josh holds down the other. |
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| Check out the size of our first house compared to this one! |
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| Two guys figuring out how to make up for the lack of extra hands. |
And for your entertainment ...my dog who had some fun as i wrote this post. I can't believe it...I washed the couch cover and placed the pieces in the living room to assemble when i was done this. I'm sure your all familiar with her as she attacks the window when anyone arrives or leaves.
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| Her window. |
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| Her reaction when i called her to take a picture....oh dear.
Have a great week!
Shirley
Chez Nous Farms
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