Hello,
The April showers have arrived, so I guess it is time to sit down and write a newsletter!
I hope everyone found a chance to get out in the sunshine over the past few weeks. I know we sure did, in fact, it has been so warm and dry, that it is the second year in a row I planted peas in March. Peas aren’t the only crop that can be planted early and I must admit it is much easier to enjoy this rainy weather knowing that I also have carrots, beets, spinach and salad mix already in the ground.
Fingers crossed for a nice early start to the CSA this season, if you haven’t signed up for a share yet, we still have a few left, but don’t wait too long, I don’t want anyone to be disappointed! (SIGN UP HERE)
Although I have been busy in the field, taking advantage of the (previously) dry soil, there is also lots going on inside the greenhouse. Kale, Swiss Chard, Onions and Parsley will be ready to plant out soon. Peppers, Eggplants and Tomatoes are coming along slowly but surely on the heat table and a whole assortment of other seeds are tucked into trays, with more being added every week.
Ernest and I have also started on a new project that inspired me to order a comically large quantity of mulch. As many of my CSA members know, sometimes I like to include flowers in the shares. However, with so many things to harvest they often get forgotten, and I don’t take them to market, so they seem like a bit of a luxury, especially when space is precious. The trouble is, I like having them!
Last season when I was enjoying the flowers, cutting a little bouquet for Peter, I thought “isn’t it too bad that my staff and I are the only ones who ever see them?” Over the Winter when I was planning the garden, I had an idea: why not just move them? Hence, the mulch.
The hope and the dream is to create a combination of cut flower beds and eventually a perennial wildflower garden at the entrance to the farm where they can be enjoyed by us, CSA members, birds, bees, butterflies and any critter, human or otherwise who happens upon them.
If that doesn’t work out, at least the kids have some mulch mountains to play on during the lock-down!
Sincerely,
Jenny
p.s. There will likely be some early crops coming out of the hoophouse in May, they will be available through the the Homegrown Hamper, and I may add some Spring boxes for pick-up at the farm for those who can’t wait for the CSA to start. If you are worried about missing an email, you can follow the farm on social media (facebook, instagram) for more frequent updates.
