Much of our one acre is now planted: alliums of every type, an array of leafy greens, plus beans, beets, carrots, hakurei turnips, kohlrabi, peas, radishes. Some of these veggies are under agricultural row cover to speed their growth and/or to protect them from pests. The hoop house is filled with tomato, eggplant and pepper … Continue reading May Farm Update
sustainable agriculture
Rock Harvest
In addition to weeding carrots, dill and cilantro, we harvested some rocks today.
Transplanting
On Thursday we transplanted three beds of brassicas - kale, napa cabbage, bok choy and kohlrabi. Then we covered these beds with row cover to protect the seedlings from pests (woodchucks, rabbits and flea beatles). As soon as the field dries out we'll t'plant all the storage onions and leeks, and the first plantings of … Continue reading Transplanting
Rock harvest
Did I mention that I uncovered a lot of rocks when I was plowing? CSA shareholders, friends and family are invited to help pick rocks on the next shareholder volunteer day, Saturday, April 19, 10:00-noon. Those who really want to can take home a rock. Maybe two. If rock harvesting is not your cup of … Continue reading Rock harvest
Peas and Planet Jr.
Everyone survived the cold temps last night. The min-max thermometer in the hoophouse read 32 degrees this morning. I'm sure it was warmer underneath all the row cover, blankets and quilts that were over the seedlings. I'm happily surprised the hoophouse stayed as warm as it did.Farm neighbors Andres and daughter, Ainara, helped me plant … Continue reading Peas and Planet Jr.
Heart-stopping temperatures
I'm a bit preoccupied with the weather. I check the forecast several times a day. I pay close attention to the predicted overnight temps, whether there will be clouds or not, how strong the winds will be, if and how much precipitation is expected. I look at what's predicted for Boston and Bedford. Based on … Continue reading Heart-stopping temperatures
Plowing
Earlier this week I borrowed a seven-shank chisel plow and plowed the entire acre. This implement breaks up compaction 18" down without turning the soil over. Less compaction creates an environment that is root-friendly due to better drainage and aeration. One reason I like the chisel plow for primary tillage is because it minimizes the … Continue reading Plowing
Spreading lime
The last two weeks have been busy.Yesterday I finished spreading two tons of pelletized lime on the field. The process of spreading lime on this suburban farm is a bit different than in farm country where 10 ton lime-filled trucks drop lime directly onto frozen fields during the coldest time of year. Here's what lime … Continue reading Spreading lime
It looks like spring …..
It looks like spring in my basement. Thirty trays of alliums have germinated in the lasts two days. A couple of trays of parsely are contemplating germination. Celeriac seeds are basking in 80 degree soil and I expect they will soon pop. I plan to seed another 90 trays with lettuce, bok choy, napa, kale, … Continue reading It looks like spring …..
What are you growing this year?
I am often asked by shareholders and local gardeners what varieties of vegetables, herbs and fruits I'm growing. Liz has compiled a list of most of what we are growing this season. The majority of our seed, and the descriptions of the produce, comes from the Johnny’s Selected Seed or Fedco catalogues. Many thanks to … Continue reading What are you growing this year?
Shared Harvest CSA 