Little Peace Farm News
Weather
Well good folks, those two weeks of warm weather have really jump started me and maybe our strawberries too early! We spent a good part of the day preparing for a freeze, not a frost, tonight. I'm not sure what the results will be on the berries which are in different stages of development depending on variety. Our oldest bed of berries popped blossoms about 3 weeks ago and a later variety is just starting to set. So I've done all I can to save them, the rest is up to mother nature. Just another reason to lose sleep! If they do ok and come in before the markets begin, I'll send our CSA members and mailing list members and e-mail and sell from the farm.
Projects
Aside from installing a new kitchen floor, new plumbing in the basement, running new water lines to the wash/pack house, garage, and barn, we have been busy working on a few other things. My brother-in-law Michael is in the process of completing a fence that surrounds the farmhouse. This will give Emily and I a little bit of peace about the kids and the road. Because we are on a straight-a-way, some people tend to fly so we asked the township to install "watch children" signs which they did. Thanks to my uncle Mike (too many Mikes in the world) I have some new windows in the wash house and my brother Adam did some much needed electrical work as well. I am borrowing an old ground driven manure spreader for the season to spread compost and have begun to spread the top fields. That is where all of my tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and potatoes are going. I installed my irrigation pump and system for the farm and so far it is working without a hitch! The wash house got a thorough cleaning and has been up and running for a couple of weeks now. I also had to have some work done on my tractor (hydraulic pump for those interested...). So I'll soon have all the bills paid to get the season under way!
Markets
Just a reminder that we are no longer participating in the Schuylkill Haven market and will be at the Pottsville market on Saturdays from 8-12 and at the Plaza Grower's Market in Allentown on Wednesdays from 11:30-1:30. We will be delivering to the Brew Works on Wednesdays as well so stop in there for a beer and you will likely see some of our produce on their menu.
What we've got in the ground...
Three varieties of beets including golden, three varieties of carrots, three varieties of spring onions, two varieties of candy onions, shallots, scallions, garlic, strawberries, sweet corn, green beans (not sure if they'll make the freeze tonight?), red kale, spinach, chard, pac choi, fava beans, giant snow peas, sugar snap peas, salad mixes, radish, and a bunch of greens in the hoophouse. I am ready to transplant the first of the field lettuces as soon as the ground dries out a little bit. Cabbages are on deck to go in the ground. I'm sure I forgot some things and we have lot to get in the ground yet.
So food is growing and so are the weeds. I hope all are well and looking forward to the season. I know we are.
Warmly
Michael
LPF