What's new 10/20/09
by Joanne Frazer
Great news! The new chicks have arrived! We just got around 20 new laying chicks. We ordered a mixed box (so to speak) and were pleasantly surprised to find we have a few unusual ones. Some are Polish, with cute little topknots! We can't tell what the others are yet. It'll be fun to watch them grow and put on distinguishing feathers! The older hens are not doing their job too well right now...we're only getting 6-8 eggs per day. That might sound like plenty but we have 30 (yes, 30) hens! Someone is not doing their part for the farm. They should be quaking in their little boots...maybe hearing the chicks will get them laying more. We'll see.
The rain and then the extremely warm weather sure has been great for the transplants and the plants that are developing for the winter! It's so lush out there! The kale and chard beds are looking beautiful. The sprouting broccoli is getting huge! The only downside is it's been great weather for the weeds. Yes, our old friend chickweed has started taking off! But, we are determined to keep on top of it and have been cultivating whenever we get the opportunity.
John and Andy dug up another 1,000 pounds of potatoes from the Mallory House. Plus, they harvested the rest of the winter squash (butternuts and pumpkins) and the grinding corn. We have to dry the corn before we try to make polenta out of it. I hope this works so we can plant even more next year.
This weekend we planted three garlic beds. Now, that might not sound like much but here's how it goes. First, we cut off the bulbs from the garlic bunches that were hanging in the garage. Next we break apart the individual cloves. Then we soak the cloves to ease in removing the skins and to help get rid of any mold. We did this to about 2700 (yes, that's right...2700) cloves. We used only the biggest and best so next year's crop will be better than ever. Plus, we planted 135 shallot bulbs. So now we'll be able to offer every type of onion there is! Pretty neat, huh?
There's something I noticed about farming. You really have to be an optimist. No matter what happens to THIS year's crop there's always NEXT year's to look forward to! I just love it!
The other wonderful thing that happened this weekend was my daughter came home for a visit. It was great seeing her. She's doing well at school and has really taken to college life. I'm very proud of her and her brother!
medium box : $10.00
1 bunch of beets
1 bunch of kale or chard
potatoes
garlic
broccoli or cabbage or cauliflower
large box : $15.00
1 bunch of beets
1 bunch of kale or chard
potatoes
garlic
broccoli or cabbage or cauliflower
radishes
winter squash
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