Hot but not a scorcher, a bit of a breeze, full sun in a clear blue sky… Even at a distance, the field is starting to show clear signs of vigorous veggie activity (see one month ago). And, amazingly (although, according to plan!), we’re on top of the weeds. Today was a bit of a semi-day off for me, with only a few hours here and there of hand-weeding, and lots of strolling around thinking about this and that (mostly, about things on the neverending to-do list…). Particularly now, still in spring start-up mode, tiny farming is REALLY full-time, you’ve gotta be into it 100%…so, you’d best love it as well. I’m having fun!
long shots
Let’s take a look
The latest View. The weather’s been warm and sunny for the past few days, but the nights mainly cold, often drifting down to zero C and a bit below. No rain, and the ground’s getting dry. Finally got round to cutting the grass (no more soaked feet in the morning). The white pails all about are for the spring cleaning of rocks pushed up over winter. Nothing green in the way of crops to see from up here, but just about everything seeded so far has emerged. Overall, nice!
Gardener of all I survey…
The View from the top of the gangway that leads into the upper level of the barn. Once things get growing, I go up here every day to survey the scene. Today, it pretty much sums up the spring so far, mainly damp, grey and gloomy (see Mar.16, Feb.18). Without sun, the grass has hardly started to green up. You can just make out the yellow markers in the very first section on the left where yesterday I got in beds of spinach (Bloomsdale, Spargo), beets (Scarlet Supreme, Detroit Dark Red) and radish (Rebel, French Breakfast). That felt good!
A beautiful day
A beautiful day in the snowy field, looking back at the outbuildings from the greenhouse. I used the Kubota (the trusty compact tractor) to clear the path, more to take it out of the shed and give it a little run than because the snow’s too high to trudge through. The temperature’s around zero C, the sun is getting higher in the sky and warmer as she climbs, snow is melting at the edges and through the thin spots wherever you go… Is spring in the air? Sure feels like it!
Fields of plenty
This is a great time of year, with everything growing, the sun high and strong, and still a good two months of prime harvest to come.
Sunny day
When it’s raining, you wait for the sun. After a few days of sun, you look out for some rain. Cloudy and dry isn’t much good for growing, but it’s perfect for working in the field, ideal for transplanting, and better for germinating seeds as long as it’s also warm. Windy isn’t helpful: even in a stiff breeze, sprinklers are way less efficient and steady wind will dry out the soil, and plants, faster than anything. Then again, air movement moderates temperature, spreads pollen, and generally keeps things moving. So you kind of need it all…