They also made me realize how easy irrigation really is to set up. We made the decision to forgo the help of NRCS for irrigation because of all of the extra hoops to jump through when we already know our well is more than sufficient, and I really just need a simple system of a few drip lines. And I feel very good knowing that because my soil is so healthy, it retains water well, which reduces the amount I need in the first place.
I was able to harvest some spinach and mixed greens from a winter planting very early this spring. Now, we have crops of arugula, spicy greens and heads of romaine lettuce taking advantage of the extra warmth in the hoop house. Once these are harvesting for the first CSA share pick ups, then the tomatoes, cucumbers and Charantais melons will take a turn. This above picture cracks me up. It only reminds me of our first year in our home on Pickpocket Road and all of the Insanely creative electrical connections we discovered. These hoses are a temporary fix for now and it works great, so...
They also made me realize how easy irrigation really is to set up. We made the decision to forgo the help of NRCS for irrigation because of all of the extra hoops to jump through when we already know our well is more than sufficient, and I really just need a simple system of a few drip lines. And I feel very good knowing that because my soil is so healthy, it retains water well, which reduces the amount I need in the first place.
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The greenhouse has been swept clean of cobwebs, old leaves, a mouse nest and a weird petrified baby snapping turtle (I don't know how that got in there). The Cortland, Dakota Tears, and Red Wing onions are seeded and sprouting! The Cipollini's, Shallots, Scallions and Leeks are warm in their new seed trays too. A couple trays of Winter Density and Winter Wonderland romaine lettuces are getting ready to be transplanted into the hoop house. These will be some early harvested lettuces before the tomatoes, cucumbers and melons take over for the summer. The best thing about starting this year, is most of the initial set up for the farm is finally done! It's so nice to jump into a routine now that it's the farm's second year. The only big new thing that will be added this year will be an irrigation system, again with the help of NRCS. We have been officially approved after multiple visits to the farm and communications back and forth. I will keep you updated as we move forward with the process.
I find it amazing every year that this small box of seeds will turn into almost an acre of full grown vegetables. The potential in the box is overwhelming. This year we will be planting 20 plus varieties of tomatoes in a rainbow of colors. (I really did try to get every single color I could.) And I tried to do the same with the peppers. I hope we are successful with some red, orange and yellow peppers. Some other new varieties I picked for this year include: a golden beet, watermelon radish, scallopini yellow summer squash, beira tronchuda (a gorgeous Portuguese Kale), and okra for everybody. I hope you really do try the okra, it's a favorite of mine, since my mother is from Georgia and we grew up eating it. I will post some great recipes! The new hoop house will contain a variety of tomato called Lola (great for indoor growing), a Shintokiwa Cucumber (long and likes to be trellised), and a French melon called Charentais (a favorite of one of our share members from France). So here's to another great growing season! Now is the time of year when the image of the farm is free of weeds, bugs and funguses, and overflowing with a bountiful crop. Pickpocket Farm in Winter Chores have slowed down and become almost non-exsistent here on the farm. I am enjoying my time by the wood stove these days. The only real chore is to haul 2 watering cans out to the hoop house about once a week. We are experimenting with Winter farming in our new hoop house. It is so awesome to walk inside after the first blizzard of the season only to need to take off my coat, because of the warmth trapped inside. The hoop house was built late in the season, so we got a late start with the winter plantings, but the spinach and lettuce greens are happy and growing slowly out there. I am so looking forward to a fresh spinach salad with sun-dried tomatoes. I will keep everyone posted to share the wealth. The hoop house is finally completed. It was quite the undertaking building the structure, while continuing to maintain peace in our family. My husband really out did himself on this project. We also could not have finished the project without the help of fellow family, friends, neighbors, and local farmers. We really appreciate all the extra hands that went into completing this project. I will post some close up pictures of the completed work next week, when I return from vacation. We celebrated our 1st annual Harvest Party at the end of Pickpocket Farm's first season. We had a lot to celebrate! We ate delicious food, drank a Pumpkin Porter made from our pumpkins, and listened to fantastic music by Mike Morris and Heather Mike. I can't wait to have the party again next year already!! The Pickpocket Farm Hoop House, donated by the United States of America Government, arrived at our house yesterday! We are looking for a few good men (and women) that are interested in helping construct the frame. This will take place on Saturday, September 25th during the day. If all goes well with the frame construction we will then place the plastic sheeting on top, October 2nd. This will probably only take a couple of hours, and it's nice to have lots of hands to hold the plastic. I will keep you posted on that detail as we get closer. Please contact us if you are interested in learning about Hoop House construction and would like to help out. We will provide beer and snacks, and of course kids are welcome. Hay Roll The field of barley was harvested last month, and I asked Farmer Dan from Little Brook Farm, what happened to the crop. Unfortunately, the batch of barley seed purchased by Smuttynose also contained weed seeds, which contaminated the crop. I really hope this doesn't deter Smuttynose and other farmers from trying again! I think it's just an example of the learning curve; farmers, restaurant owners, brewers, and simply, people who like to cook, are working through to expand local sustainable farming in our area. I would still love to see more experiments, such as this one, continue. |
AuthorAudrey Gerkin, is a gardener gone wild, after teaching in special education and raising 3 beautiful girls, ages 5 - 10, she has found a new calling in farming. Archives
October 2013
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