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.

It is good to be in the garden

It turned out to be a lovely weekend.  The forecast rain didn’t materialize and wind dried out the fields somewhat. Bed A (long season stuff like chard) was partially rototilled. Even more rhubarb was divided and transplanted. The front rhubarb patch is essentially one gigantic root mass. Next year we are going to have so much rhubarb. 

Mr. O got to play in the grass, chew on some weeds and get baby sat by the dog.

Planting wise, we’re on schedule.  Second round of lettuce and spinach as well as the first plantings of chard, beets and mustard greens made it in the ground today. Still much to do on the to-do list before the end of April including more rototilling, more field seeding, starting beans, seeding onions and installing lots of row cover.

Dog got into the swamp, twice, so it must be spring.  :)

Club SBG is SOLD OUT!

Just a few of the 54 heirloom tomatoes sprouting in the glasshouse…

Wow!!! We have had an overwhelming response to our box/CSA program (Club SBG) and have sold out of the 20 shares for the 2009 season. There are even a few people on the waiting list… just in case. If you would like to be on the waiting list, do let us know.

Our advertising for this program was done by word of mouth, emailing our market customers and posting flyers in our favourite places to shop and eat here in Truro. Thank you to all our great customers! It gives me a happy warm feeling and makes me even more excited about getting into the field to get those veggies planted.

Club SBG member Barb interviewed us about the CSA concept and our program for her CBC Information Morning Truro report – listen if you can on Tuesday at 6:15 am. Oliver has agreed to make sure we’re awake!

We did our first outdoor planting tonight – 2 days later than we planted last year. The weather looks warm and wet for this week… perfect for germinating seeds! They’re saying +17C, which is hard to believe after such a long winter. Our tomatoes can’t wait to get outside.

Spring

These are last year’s shots, but soon we will have fresh greens again…

Yum. I can’t wait for spring.

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!