Break a plow, buy a plow, break that plow, fix it, break the repaired plow, fix the plow etc
Plowing was a real ordeal this last week. That's what I get for acting like I had it figured out. Honestly, I don't even want to get into it. Broke original plow on a rock, purchase a new old plow (and went to pick it up), broke an integral part, fixed said integral part, broke the part again, made work around, over heated the tractor- causing worry but no damage. Bottom line? We got it done and running fine now and took the opportunity to get a lot of ground ready to accept seeds and plants. What better to carry out our intricate cover cropping plan for the fall. It will hopefully leave our spring ground in ideal planting condition and the ground that will not be worked in lush green.
What else are we doing this week? Playing catch up! The plow incident of 2018 took several days of our time and some of our morale. To top it off, there was one sprained ankle and one crew member on a well planned excursion. Even so, we brought in all our garlic which is now curing in the barn, and carried on with harvest, irrigating, and planting.
So this week, we hope to whip our weeds into shape, put up the caterpillar tunnel for our cucumbers, seed some sudan grass cover crop, and get another big round of fall crops in the ground. On that list, another round of kale, chard, cabbage, roots, carrots, salad mix and more! It is kind of terrifying to put any new plants out there in to the dry, dry world. The challenge of irrigating what we already has is like trying to evenly fill ten cups with holes in the bottoms, while juggling and eating spaghetti. We could use some rain. All of the raucous thunderstorms of Monday swung North and South, past our farm. We got one spray from the bottle -- a dust settler -- , which made plowing more bearable (dust storm doesn't feel good in the heart or the eyes), but didn't give our plants and soil the deep drink they really need.
As far as markets go, we regrettably inform you that we will not be attending the Jackson market any longer. There was not enough business to keep the balance even. That being said, we are in the market for a market. It is a strange time of year to do that. Most markets already have their vendors picked out. We will keep you updated.
Farming into the future! And enjoying the lightening bugs as we go!
What else are we doing this week? Playing catch up! The plow incident of 2018 took several days of our time and some of our morale. To top it off, there was one sprained ankle and one crew member on a well planned excursion. Even so, we brought in all our garlic which is now curing in the barn, and carried on with harvest, irrigating, and planting.
So this week, we hope to whip our weeds into shape, put up the caterpillar tunnel for our cucumbers, seed some sudan grass cover crop, and get another big round of fall crops in the ground. On that list, another round of kale, chard, cabbage, roots, carrots, salad mix and more! It is kind of terrifying to put any new plants out there in to the dry, dry world. The challenge of irrigating what we already has is like trying to evenly fill ten cups with holes in the bottoms, while juggling and eating spaghetti. We could use some rain. All of the raucous thunderstorms of Monday swung North and South, past our farm. We got one spray from the bottle -- a dust settler -- , which made plowing more bearable (dust storm doesn't feel good in the heart or the eyes), but didn't give our plants and soil the deep drink they really need.
As far as markets go, we regrettably inform you that we will not be attending the Jackson market any longer. There was not enough business to keep the balance even. That being said, we are in the market for a market. It is a strange time of year to do that. Most markets already have their vendors picked out. We will keep you updated.
Farming into the future! And enjoying the lightening bugs as we go!
Helen plowing the buckwheat into the delicious soil
Field complete! Sundan grass will be seeded here. It produces extensive biomass. We will mow it several times and then allow it to grow tall before winter. When winter arrives, it will perish in the cold and we will lay it flat on the ground. The plan is that we will have created a mulch thick enough that in the spring we can plant right into it without a worry of weeds. We shall see...
See you at market!
Helen writing for the Lake Dividers
Fresh From the Field!
Greens:Baby Head lettuce: Butterhead, green leaf, red leaf, summer crisp, and romaine, mixed and bunched
Kale: flat leaf, green curly, and red curly
Microgreens: Spicy and mild.
Shoots: Lite in the beginning of the week and heavier toward the end of the week. We are admittedly still working out the kinks.
Salad Mix: LIMITED - This dry weather in combination with deer pressure has our previous salad mix planting screaming uncle. Luckily, the following planting isn't so concerned. Give us a wee or two and we will be flush with mixed lettuce once again!
Swiss Chard
Herbs:
Basil- it is pesto time!!
Cilantro
Dill
Mint
Oregano
Parsley
Sage- Have you tried fried sage? Heat up some olive oil and flash fry those big flat leaves. Toss them in some salt- SAGE CHIPS!!
Thyme
All manner of deliciousness:
Broccoli: LIMITED
NEW: Carrots! Well, they are back anyway!
Cucumbers
Cabbage
Garlic nice and fresh
Eggplant: LIMITED- Still coming to its full potential.
Fennel
Kohlrabi
Peppers: LIMITED- Green bell peppers, a touch of hot peppers, and maybe a few shishitos!
Tomatoes: A handful of slicers and cherry tomatoes. LIMITED, but not for a limited time!
Summer squash- Go squash crazy now folks! The season is upon us!
Sunflowers!
Markets, always rain or shine!Wednesday: Ann Arbor
The Ann Arbor Market is located in the Kerrytown District at 315 Detroit St, Ann Arbor, MI. The market runs from May thru December, 7 am to 3 pm and January thru April from 8 am to 3 pm.
Friday: Stockbridge
The Stockbridge Open Air Market is located on the square in downtown Stockbridge. It runs from May thru October from 4 pm to 7 pm
Saturday: Ann Arbor and Chelsea
The Ann Arbor Market is located in the Kerrytown District at 315 Detroit St, Ann Arbor, MI. The market runs from May thru December, 7 am to 3 pm and January thru April from 8 am to 3 pm.
The Chelsea Farmers' Market is located in the lower library lot along Park St. It runs May thru October from 8 am to 1 pm.
Sunday: Howell
The Howell Farmers' market can be found in the heart of Howell at State st and Clinton st, adjacent to the historic Livingston County Courthouse. It runs May thru October, 9 am to 2 pm.
Helen writing for the Lake Dividers
Fresh From the Field!
Greens:Baby Head lettuce: Butterhead, green leaf, red leaf, summer crisp, and romaine, mixed and bunched
Kale: flat leaf, green curly, and red curly
Microgreens: Spicy and mild.
Shoots: Lite in the beginning of the week and heavier toward the end of the week. We are admittedly still working out the kinks.
Salad Mix: LIMITED - This dry weather in combination with deer pressure has our previous salad mix planting screaming uncle. Luckily, the following planting isn't so concerned. Give us a wee or two and we will be flush with mixed lettuce once again!
Swiss Chard
Herbs:
Basil- it is pesto time!!
Cilantro
Dill
Mint
Oregano
Parsley
Sage- Have you tried fried sage? Heat up some olive oil and flash fry those big flat leaves. Toss them in some salt- SAGE CHIPS!!
Thyme
All manner of deliciousness:
Broccoli: LIMITED
NEW: Carrots! Well, they are back anyway!
Cucumbers
Cabbage
Garlic nice and fresh
Eggplant: LIMITED- Still coming to its full potential.
Fennel
Kohlrabi
Peppers: LIMITED- Green bell peppers, a touch of hot peppers, and maybe a few shishitos!
Tomatoes: A handful of slicers and cherry tomatoes. LIMITED, but not for a limited time!
Summer squash- Go squash crazy now folks! The season is upon us!
Sunflowers!
Markets, always rain or shine!Wednesday: Ann Arbor
The Ann Arbor Market is located in the Kerrytown District at 315 Detroit St, Ann Arbor, MI. The market runs from May thru December, 7 am to 3 pm and January thru April from 8 am to 3 pm.
Friday: Stockbridge
The Stockbridge Open Air Market is located on the square in downtown Stockbridge. It runs from May thru October from 4 pm to 7 pm
Saturday: Ann Arbor and Chelsea
The Ann Arbor Market is located in the Kerrytown District at 315 Detroit St, Ann Arbor, MI. The market runs from May thru December, 7 am to 3 pm and January thru April from 8 am to 3 pm.
The Chelsea Farmers' Market is located in the lower library lot along Park St. It runs May thru October from 8 am to 1 pm.
Sunday: Howell
The Howell Farmers' market can be found in the heart of Howell at State st and Clinton st, adjacent to the historic Livingston County Courthouse. It runs May thru October, 9 am to 2 pm.
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