Foraging: WIld Leeks (ramps)

Wild Ramps (wild leeks).

Part of our sustainability, as a family, is providing food for ourselves--aside from the farm this includes foraging.  We harvest ramps sustainably--only taking a small fraction of whatever we find.  We have been tossing these alliums (the onion family) in salads, soups and eggs--very versatile and a nice subtle flavor.

Wild ramps, leaves separated for storage.

Photo Update 5.1-2

TUESDAY:  Busy week on the farm!  Seeds need to be started inside for some tender crops--melons, cucumbers--and some flowers for companion planting.  Many transplants are waiting to get planted out--once we get past the rainy weather, and predicted high winds the next couple days.

Peas! If you look close there are radishes growing between

the stakes--they are companions with peas.

Potato trench--this will get filled in some as the plants grow.

The plants get mounded to promote good production and shield

the tubers from the sun.

Hazel, enjoying the sun.

Two varieties of potatoes are in the groud--John is a trenching machine!  The All Blue variety is last to be planted this week...when it dries up...

Wheat and oats are coming up in the field, and we're watching for the alfalfa and red clover.

Potato onions growing in the herb garden--I am excited to try these little guys.

Someone was nice enough to give us a little cluster!

WEDNESDAY:  This rain was crazy tonight!  Definitely over 2 inches poured down, with some hail 1/4"-1/2".  The rows are looking muddy in the field!  Seeds that are germinating will hopefully be happy.  We can't see any apparent damage out there, so that is good!

This morning--a beautiful foggy morning, the field
was already a little moist.

This evening, after the 2+ inches of rain--looking pretty wet!
The cans were put out just to protect the little transplants from the hail.
The cans do a great job protecting the little plants from wind, and help to
keep the soil a little cool and moist while they are establishing.

A view of the field this morning.

&

Our t-shirts!  A.R.F. pride!
If you are interested in a t-shirt feel free to shoot us an email :)

CSA & Farm Shares Sold Out for 2012!

Our CSA Shares & Farm Shares are sold out for 2012--thank you for all your inquiries and interest.

We will be selling shares in 2013--if you are interested in getting on a waiting list for 2013 please shoot us an email.

It's going to be a GREAT season!!

Orchard Update

The apple trees are blooming!

Oh the trials and tribulations of a first year orchardist! As I am sure you have all seen or heard on the news, fruit growers are hurting this spring. After an extremely warm March, most of the trees at the orchard were in the pink bud, or blooming stage, very early. The problem with the early bloom is the potential for freezing nights, which can really set back or kill the delicate flower buds. Lo and behold we have had plenty of freezing nights since blooms have occurred--7 nights below or at 32°F to date, 1 night as low as 26°. Along with the cold nights we have had cold, cloudy or rainy days, which keep our friendly pollinators housed up and not able to go out and collect nectar. So this spring has been what I would call a triple negative (1) early, warm  temps have allowed the tent caterpillars to flourish, (2) warm temps stimulated early blooms making them susceptible to frost, (3) pollinators are not out doing their business during cold, rainy days, influencing adequate pollination for fruit production. On the positive the orchard is not only pollinated by our friendly bees, wind can pollinate as well!

John and the Orchard 4.21.12

At this point we could either think of the situation as a glass half empty or half full...I like to look at this year as the glass half full. Yes, there will definitely be far fewer apples, but the potential for larger apples is higher. So for the fortunate apple eaters this year that should be a treat! After all the work that has been done on the orchard this year (restorative pruning--pruning hadn't been done in years; mowing--also not done in years; general tidying up) the harsh realities of this less-than-ideal spring weather become a great learning experience, and all the work out orcharding has just been delightful. The orchard is just looking beautiful this time of year!   --John

Mason bee house in the orchard

Close up of blooms. Damaged buds may look okay, but
will be browned inside when cut open.

Brooke in the orchard.

What's Growing 4.20.12

Here's some sneak peeks around the farm!!

Garlic in the field.

Mammoth Red Rock cabbage transplants.

Cabbage and brussels sprouts transplants.

Tomatoes, just potted on to bigger blocks this week.
Looking great!

Giant Pascal Celery--did you ever think celery would look so pretty
and dainty when it's young?

Peppers, peppers, peppers...and some Bachelor's Buttons and
heirloom Zinnia's.

It's not growing--yet--but we uncovered the stone foundation
for the chicken coop, we can get started as soon as freezing temps
are gone.  Lucky chickens will have grass in the coop when
they get to move in!!

2012 Farm Share Designs

2012 Farm Share Certificates are hot of the press!!  Purchase your Farm Share and use it like cash all season--a great way to make a commitment to healthy eating, the farm, and no need to carry cash at the market.  More info here.  Farm Shares are still available, in limited quantity.

2012 Farm Share designs
Artwork by John

Cover Crops & Grains

Oats in the broadcast spreader.

More than half of our cover crops/grains are planted now.  The wheat was planted first.  The oats under-seeded with alfalfa went in over the weekend--perfect timing with the rain.

If you look close you can see the oats being broadcast.

This Even-Broadcast Spreader device has been super handy--perfect for our small, tractor-less scale!  John spread the oats first, then went back and did the alfalfa separately.

John looks like he is having way too much fun!

We've had a few people ask what we are going to do with oats and wheat.  Well it will be feed, for the chickens and us!  I am looking forward to baking a fresh loaf of bread, from freshly harvested wheat, from my own backyard!  As well as happy chickens, and delicious eggs and meat.

On the approximately 1.8 acres of cropland we have only a 1/4 acre will be in vegetables this year.  The rest is in cover to rest the land, from it's history of intensive conventional ag; add organic matter; alfalfa and red clover have great root systems to break up compaction, improve drainage and porosity; and suppress weed pressure.  Still to be planted are the red clover and buckwheat--and so many yummy veggies!