With about 15 acres out of 30 planted so far, the 2011 season is in full swing here on the farm. Any even remotely dry day finds us on the tractor, planting starts, sowing seeds, cultivating with our Farmall Cub, hand weeding and/or swathing the farm in Remay to protect the plants from the unseasonably cool temperatures we’ve been having this spring.
Despite the weather, we think this is one of the greenest springs we’ve seen, the perennials and young annuals glow with the healthy dose of rain water they’ve received. The fact that it’s been so cold this spring has actually helped the plants stay free of botrytis, a fungus which effects many plant species, that loves the rain but can’t thrive in cold temps. Also we did some very extensive soil testing this spring and the amendments we’ve added to our soil clearly have helped the plants thrive despite the weather. The weeds of course are also growing almost as fast as the vegetables, so the race is on until we cover crop in November!
With just 3 weeks to go until our first CSA delivery we’re dreaming of strawberry shortcake and butter head lettuce with fresh chives. Tucked under the aforementioned Remay our summer/heat loving plants are germinating remarkably well. So yay, it’s spring on a farm in the Pacific Northwest!
Weeding the first bok choi of the season
Drew cultivates cilantro with our Farmall Cub
Green beans emerging despite the rain
Hand weeding and thinning red oakleaf lettuce
