Strange Spring

Strange as we adjust to a wet forecast with heavy rains in December and January. Our soils were too wet to plant for months. Transplants were ready but had nowhere to go. Finally we are back planting after a much longer break than in the past 4 years, maybe more. That means we will have gaps in product coming this spring. We already see it at the Farmers’ Market, with far less lettuce to sell than customers are ready to buy.
But we’re rolling along now. Even though, several storms are poised on the horizon, we have taken advantage of the warm, dry spell that we’ve been enjoying for a month. Lettuces, greens, fennel and more have been tucked into the ground, waiting now for a rain, hopefully not too much.

The next beds of carrots.

Collard is beginning to flower next to beds waiting for transplants.

Artichokes are in full production right now.

Transplanted fennel

The bee hives have various degrees of activity. This one was very busy with the spring-like temperatures and numerous flowers blooming. Our insect pollinators are struggling these days, a whole other story.

Leeks

Bell beans in cover crop

Brussels sprouts just before they were tilled under. Aphids got to them.

Snap (on the left) and English peas

Snap peas are close!

Moving irrigation pipes into the field is an essential part of the planting day.

Filling the truck with transplants from the greenhouse before nestling them into the ground.

The small greenhouse has moved! And it’s back in action, just in time.

This view is from the back of the tool. It shows a cage-like roller, which will follow the aggressive disc, to break up large chunks of soil.

Paul with his chain driven hoist, makes the welding far easier.

New discs. They’ll never look like this again.

 

Our cultivating tractor sits idle most of the winter.