Onions and Leeks

Here are some pictures of the onion and leek crop! The sweet onions in the front are up and growing; toward the back of the pictures are the storage onions that were seeded later and have not germinated yet. I also just started a couple trays of lettuce today for planting early in the high tunnels. Can't wait for Spring!

What is going on at the farm

As a farmer, I'm always thankful for a new year and a fresh start. This year is no different, and I'm hoping for a very successful year producing more quality fresh produce than ever. Winter is a more quiet and restful time for a farm, a chance to work on projects there was no time for in the hectic days of summer. Lately I have been preparing this years seed order, extending the seed starting greenhouse for more production room, working on a new Farmall Super A cultivating tractor I purchased late last Fall, and doing other various tasks around the farm. We are hoping to be erecting a new 34' x 72' high tunnel in March, where all the cucumbers will be grown this year. We had a big problem with disease on the Fall cucumbers last year, and hopefully the plants will stay drier and healthier in the high tunnel. Here is an old picture from last season of me in the high tunnel with cucumbers and one of the new extended seed starting greenhouse.

Tomatoes and cucumbers!

Here are some pictures of cucumbers being trellised in one of the high tunnels. The cucumber plants are loaded with small cucumbers! Should be ready in a couple weeks. We also just started working on staking the tomatoes today. They were starting to run on the ground and were really getting out of control, but they look much better now. Working in the high tunnels in the cool evening is much more pleasant than the heat of the day.

Planting, weeding, and more planting

Lots of plants and seeds have been going in the ground lately: broccoli, cabbage, kale, cauliflower, beets, swiss chard, lettuce, carrots, spinach, radishes, arugula, turnips, scallions, peas and more. We've also been working to stay ahead of the weeds in the first rows of greens that were planted in late April. Here are some pictures of greenleaf lettuce, scallions, onions, and swiss chard seedlings planted on the muck.

With the rain we've had lately, the garlic is growing really fast. It's also making the weeds grow fast too, so we've been working on hoeing and cultivating the rows with the tractor. I'm looking forward to pulling those first big bulbs. Only 2 more months to go!

Our Egg Layers on Pasture enjoying the beautiful weather

Our egg laying flock is housed in a new movable coop we designed and built over the winter to be able to move our flock every few days to fresh green pasture. It is amazing how fast they can tear up the thick clover as they eat it and forage for bugs. The chickens are also very safe from predators at night because we take down the ramp to the door so there is no way in.

High Tunnel tomatoes and cucumbers all planted!

Yesterday we got all the high tunnel tomatoes and cucumbers planted. About 253 tomatoes and 100 cucumber plants. Before planting, I spread a few yards of composted goat manure and amended the soil with aragonite(a sea mineral high in calcium), greensand(contains 30+ minerals) and a bagged organic fertilizer. Then drip irrigation was laid. Can't wait for the first tomato and cucumber salad!