We have been working our typical 14 hour field days lately, so time for posting text has been slim. However today's wonderful weather has given me the chance.Much like last year, this years May Long weekend is snowy and sub zero. And while May has been relatively cool, it's not quite as bad as last year. In the last few days we finished the roof of the barn and moved some of our equipment in.
Unlike last May, this year we have had some sun and wind action that allowed the soil to dry out. With the new 3 point mounted rototiller we got a large section of the garden tilled last week which further dried out the seedbeds. Then, when we had unloaded a 5 ton load of manure (mostly by loader and shovel because the "dump" truck wasn't too "dumpy" and getting the truck stuck in the process)
and the 4 tons of Alfalfa pellets had arrived
we were primed to amend the rows and plant.Which is what we did yesterday, getting in the first succession for the CSA.
We planted:
Spinach
Baby Lettuce Mix
Green Onions (sets)
Beets
Chard
Radishes
The seeds will take a few days to germinate, so we're not to concerned about the snow. Like all things in farming we must do what we can, when we can and leave the rest to providence.
Needless to say, we've been busy, and this next week we're moving on to the next big project, DEER FENCE!!
2 comments:
Oh Matt! I would be somewhat discouraged by that weather. Like you, I just put one foot in front of the other when this happens. No use crying over spilled milk.
Market opened today and I wasn't even going to go, just green garlic and radishes for the table. The CSA members had asparagus,greens,herbs and lettuce mix. I am disappointed in the Earthway seeding of beets, very spotty germ. My carrots took 4 weeks to come through.
The snow will provide moisture for the seedlings. Congrats on the building project, real nice.
Julie
Thanks Julie, I found I couldn't control the seed metering on the earthway at all when we were doing beets or chard. I always ended up with jillions of plants that needed thinning.
We've been using the 6 row precision seeder from Johnny's for fine seeded crops and it works like a dream. This year they offered a new adapter for the seeder that would allow the seeding of beets and chard so I bought one and tried it out yesterday. Early results are encouraging, at least the seed is evenly spaced at the right depth, but we'll wait for germination before we declare it a success.
The only thing I find the earthway useful for now is peas, beans and corn.
You're already feeding your CSA customers, Way to Go!
We have at least 5 weeks yet, its all up to the weather. I don't even get excited about it anymore, it will come when it comes.
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