Planting Time

Just like that….from chilly wet “spring”….to extreme summer heat, I guess we will take what we can get! This is a big week for the CSA as we are finally getting the plants into the garden. Our new location on 56th avenue in Hudsonville is new territory as we’ve been working with the ground to make it more workable, but the beds are pulled up and it’s “go time!”

My husband, the farmer, deserves the credit for getting the field ready as he got all of the plastic beds and drip tape pulled up late Saturday night. The view isn’t so bad, though.

 

Since we don’t have irrigation up and running and the forecast for storms is so hit or miss, the only think I’ve planted in the ground are seeds so far. Pumpkins, gourds, radishes, beets, dill, cilantro, potatoes and onion sets as of now. Another direct sow of all that I have in plugs already should make their way in the ground sometime over the weekend.  I had a fantastic crew of helpers with the pumpkin patch Monday morning before it got too hot….some holes may have 2 or 7 seeds in them, but I suppose that just ups the germination rate:)

 

 

Yesterdays big move was getting our big babies out of the greenhouse and outside to get acclimated to the weather while we wait for irrigation to be set up. These plants are huge! I was feeling a tad nervous with the late start with getting the garden in, but I think these veggies will flush out in just a couple of weeks and make it just in time for harvest.

Joi Choi on the left, Collards Below

 

 

 

Broccoli

                                                                               Early Cabbage

                             A car full of tomatoes:) …I’m thinking a truck for next mothers day??

 

                                                              The Broccoli is 2 feet tall!

 

Just keeping you in the loop of how things are growing at the farm. Hope we do get some of the rain forecasting, but enjoying these summer temps while they are here! Have a great day everyone!!

 

 

 

Shifting Gears

Hello All! Well here we are….just over a month out from our first share pick up. I can hardly believe that it is May(!? ) ….yet am well aware that it has been here with the shifting of gears  of the school year winding down and busy greenhouse schedule that comes along with it.

A lot has been happening around the farm as things progress toward the season, but mother nature still has us feeling a wee bit behind. Last year at this time,  the garden beds were already pulled up and we were averaging 15 degrees warmer that what we are right now. With that being said….the forecast ahead looks somewhat promising as we hope to get all that we can in the ground next weekend !! But that doesn’t mean our veggies aren’t growing in the greenhouse….I’ve just been transplanting them to larger containers to keep up! Check out just a small group of plants that found a new home last week:)

Seedlings are being planted weekly in the greenhouse to keep up with productions but I am so looking forward to more sunshine and warmer temps!

 

And talk about a transformation Tuesday….or throwback Thursday or whatever you want to call it…..check out these chickens getting all mature and stuff! They have been a fantastic addition to our family here on the farm. Probably the tamest chickens around thanks to our very “hands on” toddlers.

A few things to consider as the season gets closer:

1. Check out our website and go to the “Storage and Cooking Tips” tab. This is a great resource into seeing what types of produce you can expect getting and what to do with it all!
2. Over the next month I will be featuring recipes that I will be trying out with some of the early season produce you will be getting in your boxes. Get your creative kitchen hats on and start thinking of ideas to share with everyone as well! If you are on Facebook, the Farmers Wife CSA page is a fantastic place to share recipe ideas …successes and failures…with one another.
3. Pray for warmer weather!!!  please:)

 

That’s all from me today. Just wanted to check in and say ‘Hi’….and let you know that I am so excited that pick up season is on its way:) Happy Tuesday everyone!

~Janine, the Farmers Wife