May 1

We thought we would share a few photos of how the farm is doing as of May 1.  We seem to be ahead on some things and behind on others.  Most of the initial rototilling is complete for the 2009 active beds.  2 weeks of market greens are in the ground.  Lower greenhouse crops are starting to look liks something. May 1st was also a significant day as we picked up the new farm van (traded in the truck) and got things organized with our new staff person Pam.

Easter

Easter weekend is always THE real beginning for SBG’s season.  The four-day weekends, the warm weather and rapidly diminishing days left before last front spurs muc work.  3 years ago the greenhouse saga began.  (The final pane was installed this weekend).

Easter 2009 really only brought 1 nice day (Friday), so we made the most of it. We separated some rhubarb, created some new rows of blackberries and in the process used the new BCS rototiller for the first time.  It did a very, very nice job of churning up the sod to make planting areas.  Rhubarb hadn’t been divided in a long time so some of the root balls were gigantic.  Work on the blackberries and rhubarb should increase our production in future years.

Mr O. had a great time out in the sunshine, playing in the grass and roaming in the backpack.  Farming with baby should be OK.

Planting begins…

It’s hard to know when exactly the gardens season starts… first seed planted? First shovelful of soil turned? First time the dog rolls in something very smelly?

If you go with the seed planted version, then we’re on our way! Jamey and I have started nearly 500 tomato seedlings and several other trays of onions, broccoli, rapini and celeriac. The tomatoes will be for sale both as plants and fruit; we have nearly 50 varieties on the go this year. Old favourites like Stupice, Black Plum, San Marzano, Zapoteca… and some new additions. 

I’ve been pleasantly surprised with my new soil blocker from Johnny’s – it’s the 4 – 2 inch block model. You make the soil mix (peat/compost/perlite) very very wet, then squish it into the blocker, squeeze the blocker into a tray, and voila! Basically like making mud pies all day long. The advantage to this system is that it reduces plastic and the seedlings are healthier as there’s no chance of getting root bound. The disadvantages are time to make the blocks and the fragility of the block itself – you have to water carefully.

Here are all the tomatoes on an amazing seedling rack Jamey’s parents built us! Thanks, Grandpa Jim. They’re staying warm and toasty in our kitchen until the days are warm enough to move into the glass house.

 

Even when it rains, we can garden now – thanks to Jamey, the Greenhouse builder. The first round of greens (spinach, lettuce and beets) are planted, as of today…

We’re all pretty happy about that!