Farm Update

Down on the Farm I can't tell you how excited I was when I hopped on Hank the tractor today and headed out of the barn to till up the lower field as we get ready to start planting for the season.  The first group of cold hardy veggies is called cole crops.  For years I thought this group was called cold crops, which makes much more sense.  Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, Swiss chard, scallions, onions, bok choy, radishes, turnips, carrots, kohlrabi, spinach and some early greens will get us started for the 2015 season.  One thing that was so evident to me as I tilled the field was the color of the soil.  When we started the farm the ground here was a red heavy clay.  With adding literally tons of organic matter over the years, our soil is becoming a darker, healthier terra firmer. The number one question I've been getting the last couple of days from customers stopping in for eggs and honey is, "When will the asparagus be ready?"  Due to the harsh winter, I'm guessing it will be at least mid month before it shows. Speaking of this past winter, did you know that January, February and March, this year, was the coldest first quarter in history for our area.  The average temp for the three month period at BWI was 31.8 degrees. If you don't see the chickens out much, it's because we are having so many hawk attacks. Once they find the all you can eat buffet, they keep coming back until, it seems, we break the cycle by keeping the hens inside for a few days. We will be getting our first group of broiler chicks in two weeks and have our first chicken for the dinner plate in mid June.  From that point on we will have chicken through the rest of the year. Self serve eggs, honey and Jerusalem artichokes available in our market every day 10-6. Our produce CSA is filled for the year.  Still a couple of spots remain in the Chicken CSA.

Locally Yours, Vicky and Steve