 This absolutely free, open source Web browser is fast, packed with useful features, and safe from the nasty applications and security holes that plague Internet Explorer. It's the browser we rely on for all Farm work! |
|
|
 |
| |
|
Mon, 28 Mar 2005 |
 This year so far, Spring is coming in nice and smooth, with the temperature steadily rising, and a gentle melting away of the snow-covered fields. This works out great, allowing the soil to thaw, drain and dry out in an orderly fashion, instead of turning to muck! The last couple of years, February-March weather that rollercoastered between hot and cold left our clay-loam soil in a fair state of sogginess. Not the case this time around! Provided there are no freak massive snowstorms and prolonged cold snaps, we should be off to a great early start! |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Wed, 02 Mar 2005 |
 Lettuce is the first risk crop of the year, with several varieties started around mid-February. The idea of risk crops is to gamble on the weather by transplanting out extra early, hoping that a cold snap doesn't happen, and an unbelievably early first harvest is the happy result. With our new greenhouse, which we do not heat, lettuce can be set out at least a month earlier than directly into the field. It can also be protected with floating row covers (a light fabric) during cold nights, which reduces the risk. Too cold a night, though, and the lettuce is toast! What're the odds? Only the weather knows. Stay tuned...! |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Wed, 09 Feb 2005 |
This week, the year's farming officially got underway with the final set-up of the seedling room. Growing seedlings for transplanting begins with clean gear, which means washing and sterilizing hundreds of pots and trays that are used for everything from tomatoes and peppers, broccoli and cabbage, and even early lettuce.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Fri, 14 Jan 2005 |
|
While citizens of the modern world know only one hard, round, red supermarket tomato, there are a zillion tomato stories in Heirloom City. Consider Polish, the "pound-plus, brick red, meaty, irregularly shaped, ribbed" tomato that was "originally smuggled out of Poland to the United States on the back of a postage stamp!" You can really taste the difference... |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Sat, 11 Dec 2004 |
Finally, after swinging this way and that, we're somewhat buried in real snow for the first time this Fall. A quick check on the new greenhouse to see how the snow's piling up (after a really heavy fall, the weight might be a problem). So, maybe it'll even stick around for a few days, but a white Christmas? |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Wed, 17 Nov 2004 |
Nice and warm and dry for the last four days, perfect for a marathon manure spreading. Lots of tractor time as we incorporated 120 tons(!) of well-aged manure - prime stuff generated by the grain, hay and pasture fed cows right here on the Farm. This megadose of top quality organic matter means only one thing: the fields will be jumping come Spring! |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Mon, 01 Nov 2004 |
 Finally
got the plastic on the new greenhouse frame. Five people versus a bit
of a breeze. The wirelock fastener for the ends is excellent gear!
Mounted the fan and inflated the double layer sidewalls, no problem.
Then, finished up the endwalls as a solo mission. Almost done... Good
experience, and the next one shouldn't be more than a two-day job! |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Sat, 06 Nov 2004 |
|
A light dusting of snow stuck around for a few hours. First of the Fall. |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Tue, 05 Oct 2004 |
|
Overnight low last night in the field hit -1°C, with frost enough to crisp the tender crops, like tomato, cucumber, bean, squash, pepper. Some veggies that've been under floating row cover for the last week - we've had a touch of patchy frost several recent nights - may live on for a week or two more, if the weather warms up a bit as forecast, but production will be minimal. And lettuce, spinach, chard, carrots, and brassicas survive, though growth at this point is extremely slow. All in all, our main outdoor growing season is officially over for 2004. Cleaning up, fertilizing and tilling for next year is on! |
|
|
Tue, 14 Sep 2004 |
 A long stretch in the tractor seat today, using the loader to build and turn compost windrows. Tons of cow manure are moved from the barn area and piled in long rows. Leftover crops, grass clippings, leaves and other organic residue are mixed in, and the rows are turned every few days for the first couple of weeks. After a while, a few weeks to a few months, rich, dark brown compost is the result! Great for mulching, light fertilizing, and overall soil improvement. The newly acquired Kubota compact tractor really comes in handy for this sort of thing! |
|
|
Sat, 11 Sep 2004 |
|
Up at 5:05 as usual for the farmers' market in Lindsay. Nice weather, the kind of summery day that AUGUST should've been made of... In the afternoon, staked out and tilled the space for the new greenhouse! |
|
Read more...
|
|
| | << Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next > End >>
| | Results 46 - 60 of 83 |
|
|
|
|
|
CSA Update |
|
It's 2008 and the new farming year is underway! Sign-ups for 2008 are way ahead of any previous year, with both renewals and new members already in. Share prices have been increased for this season (the first increase since we began four years ago). The season will once again be 18 weeks, beginning around mid-June. This year, you're also encourage to visit the farm at least once, and a new farmwork program is being considered, where you can do some veggie gardening here in the field, in 4-hour blocks, when it's convenient to you. If you're interested in CSA with us for 2008, here are the details for our farm, and the new 2008 printable sign-up form (or email or call for one to be mailed!). And there's more CSA info in the FAQs.
|
|
Come grow with us! |
|
If you're in the Lindsay area any time this Spring or Summer and are looking to volunteer or for some part-time work on a real, live organic microfarm, get in touch! You'll enjoy a little fresh air and exercise, probably learn some stuff, and definitely have a good time (as long as your heart's in it!). Come for a day, or set up a regular schedule. All ages welcome, no experience necessary, any sort of personal interest in small scale growing or gardening plus a cheerful disposition are required! Enquire here! |
|
|
