blogging on the go!

My first mobel blog. To cool. Today is overcast and we will be planting some peppers. A friend of trev's donated a few old windows so we will be using them as cold frames until its warmer.

Moving to the North Side

I've lived in Spokane my whole life, with the exception of a brief stint during college, and never once have I so much as entertained the idea of moving to the north side. However, after some careful consideration of spatial arrangement and available row space, we have decided we have no choice but to move to the north side of the barn and begin to utilize some of the additional land. We've decided to try out the technique of growing some of our squash and melons on cubic yard sized mounds. We shall see how that goes.

A big thanks goes out this week to Ross, who has truly embraced his title as Chicken Manager. He seems to have built quite a rapport with the peep--apparently even figuring out a rudimentary form of communication. Nice work Bill.

Here is a complete list of what is planted to date: mesclun, romaine lettuce, butterhead lettuce, arugula, onions, garlic, shallots, beets, peas, broccoli, romanesco, cabbage, radishes, carrots, a select few pepper plants. With any luck, we should have everything else in the ground within one weeks time.

So far we have Millie and Billie

We've added chickens to our ambitious list of undertakings at the plot this summer. They are looking young, vibrant, and quite healthy. And so begins the task of coming up with names for all of them, as they are now members of the farm family. Maggie, if you're out there somewhere, this one is for you. So far we've named two: Millie and Billie. Anyone who can guess what those stand for wins a free cookie.

Birds eye view of the Brassicas

Another amazing day at the farm. Our productivity went through the roof yesterday, and I am thinking that it had a lot to do with the sun. Our poor body's have been lacking in the sweet sun's vitamin D, but after a long day spent in the seasons first rays I'm not sure I haven't O.D.ed. OK maybe just acquired the seasons first sunburn. HA

Here is a look at our patterned cabage patch!

Joe faked an injury so he could be lazy

.

Alright so just for the record, Joe did absolutely nothing on the day we finished the fence, and as a result I now have a neck and arm sunburn.

The fence seems to be doing its job thus far. Pretty sure it fended off its first deer at some point over the last few days, as several of the ties were broken. Easy to fix though, just as we planned it. Here's a quick video for your viewing pleasure.

Spring Has Sprung!

With all this sunshine and warm spring air comes great plant growth. Its crazy to see our starts grow over night, but no lie they truly do. Now that our starts are past the beginning stages of growth they are growing at a accelerated rate. I am sure that alot has to do with a healthy root system and once that is established the plant naturally does the rest. Mass nutrient flow from roots to leaves is key in insuring vigorous plant growth and just like Trev said it all starts with the dirt. But there are other factors that control just how well a plant can do in a certain area and that's genetics. A plants genetics are predeterminers in how boss a plant will be, and as we have found out non-hybridized plants don't necessarily have the strongest genes. Weak or not we will try our best for success. Enough garden jargon here are some updated photos and quote of the day.
"Defeat is not the worst of failures. Not to have tried is the true failure."

Whoever said it was just dirt

With the last few days came the sad realization that we had shortchanged over half of our starts. Apparently they don't just put dirt from a field somewhere into those bags at the garden store so that they can sell it for more. After using a bag of high quality dirt to transplant around half the seedlings, we switched to recast dirt from the raised beds out back. Not a good plan. Within several days, it became obvious that all dirt is not created equal. The outcome is transplanting the rest AGAIN into better dirt homes. That and several hours and some extremely sore backs.

Thanks to Joe for having a more sore back than me, that always makes it easier to pull through.

That is a picture of a Jerusalem Artichoke. One of the stranger things Joe has insisted we plant, but I figure the most amazing thing in the world is something out there I've never tried, so maybe this is it.

Two work days, four hangovers

An updated view of the starts, and boy are they looking good.

Got to work today erecting the deer fence. We're saying that it is more of a deterrent, and less of a barrier to entry. I suppose time will tell.

Lastly a pic of Joe working on getting the onions in the ground. White sweet, red, and Italian cippolini are among the several varieties we will be working with this year.

A sneak peak

Here is a quick look at the garage grow op. It took a bit of convincing but Mandy agreed after i told her we could grow flowers too. My only concern is the neighbors. I hope they don't think I'm growing real cash crops.

Garden Karma

This morning was beautiful and I rolled myself out of bed at 7:30. Hopped in the car, grabbed a cup of Joe, and headed to the Beanie Blue's. I actually arrived before Trev for the first time this year and got started on the last of the tilling to be done. Trev arrived soon after I started and that's when he told me that his uncle would be stopping by. Not only to check everything out but to take a load of our magic goat poop. My first thought was -What?- but then with a second thought I realized that spreading the love and hard work that we have put in is more satisfying than keeping it all for ourselves. Today's lesson SHARING IS CARING. Thanks Trev for putting it in prospective.

Mr. Halstead would be disappointed

I'm pretty sure Joe and I took English class together in 9th grade. I'm going to begin posting on the blog myself in an effort to elevate the level of correct grammar and spelling; so don't worry Mr. Halstead--I'm on it.

That being said, I've got some pictures of the miniature grow op we have set up in Joe's garage right now. I'm sure the neighbors will begin questioning the iridescent glow coming from under the door soon. Let me just say that transplanting three hundred something starts is a painfully long process that leads to sore lower backs, dirty fingernails, and hangovers.

Sometimes you have to get drunk to make it through a task. In this case getting drunk leads to changing the names of your heirloom varieties to amuse yourself. That's a purple tomatillo, so we'll have to remember that when it comes time to go to the farm. As for what "The Boss" stands for--I guess we'll just have to wait and see....

Tilling Time

Tev and I got an early strart on spreading manure and tilling it in this morning. I woke up to Trev's message saying hurry and get to the farm. I knew it could only mean one thing so i was off. As i pulled up I felt a great energy in the air. The sun was bright and the two massive piles of manure ensured me my labors have been rewarded. In a couple short hours we were able to get most of the front section compleatly tilled and ready to be seeded. Here is a look....