So we're getting one egg a day, between the two chickens. I take the egg, they create a fussy noise and I bring them back lovely greens from the garden that I'm thinning out anyway like carrots (they Love carrots) and sorrell and anything that's going to seed. Tom gave them a couple of worms that were under the area where he was setting up the new rain barrels, apparently that was a hit.
They went outside today! They found out how good the grass is, and scratched the dirt around their house and rolled in it for hours, then had a little rest in it, then pecked at some more grass and went home for the night. How cute is that?
PLANT SALE COMING UP
I'm holding on to your plants for you, middle of May is too soon to plant any tender veggies and herbs. So you can come by anytime this week or next if you call first and let me know OR come out to the Plant Sale Saturday May 25 starting at 9 until whenever and Saturday June 1 starting at 9 until whenever.
Tom and I are looking forward to seeing you.
Monday, 20 May 2013
Monday, 13 May 2013
Wednesday, 8 May 2013
Winter, Summer - what about Spring?
So, we now have a facebook page, like I knew how to set this up? No. My son did this for me and I really appreciate it. It links in with this blog which my daughter set up for me and I am very grateful for this. Kids - aren't they smart?
What have we been up to? Read so many books for the entire month of February, books on GMOs, CAFOs, watched films on our water depletion and sugar, salt and fat issues, went to seminars and conferences about Organic Farming. - learned A LOT OF STUFF. Ask me, I'm willing to share.
We are now members of the National Farmers' Union.
The Sustainability Fair at the North Grenville Municipal Centre was wonderful, it's very encouraging to see so many young people moving to the area and starting organic farms and looking for resources.
When the time was right we planted seeds (several of which we save ourselves), tended to seedlings - up-potted, transferred to the ground in the Greenhouse and continue to do all of this every day from dawn to the beginning of the office day.
The weekly deliveries have grown and we really want to expand on that. The Kemptville Kinsmen Farmers' Market will now have longer hours (12 to 4 on Sundays) and we're not keen on that. We'd rather have all of our hard work saving seeds, starting the seeds, nurturing the seedlings, growing the food and maintaining the gardens going to a good home rather than wilting at the Market stand hoping someone will not buy from two stands over where a vegetable is 10 cents less. No, we've decided the best way for our vegetables to be eaten is freshly picked and delivered to you weekly or picked up by you on special order. We figure we can be occasional vendors at the Market if and when we have a surplus.
We're also pleased to be re-opening the Farm Gate Stand for passers-by on weekends.
Exciting News Today
The potatoes are in from Homestead Organics, we got the call and Tom picked them up on his way home from Cornwall this afternoon, they'll be going in to the newly roto-vated (sp.) garden on Saturday.
Chickens
We now have two silkies, Phoebe is white with grey and black markings and Rachel is black (see pic below). They are pricelessly full of character, but no eggs yet. They were given to us with their names, I don't watch TV so didn't know where the names came from, everyone else seems to know this. We'd been thinking of having chickens but missed the mark at ordering them, figured we'd try next year, but we're trying it out right now, this year. If it goes well, we'll get more next year, should be fun in the meantime. Oh, and they're also afraid of coming out of the coop ?? I dunno.
Plant Sale
We've been growing like crazy people and have so much of everything, best to come out and visit, check out what's available. We have trays of seedlings downstairs in the craft room, in the spare office, upstairs in the sitting area, in the little greenhouse we moved over to near the Big Greenhouse, in the Greenhouse on the floor, on tables, on stands, on buckets, everywhere one can squeeze a tray of seedlings, and outside sitting in the Herb Garden getting used to the weather and waiting to go into the ground this weekend. It's really hard to clean the house with trays all over so I'll clean in June - ya.
I'll post a price list of plants for sale once I can stop planting seeds, up-potting, transferring, weeding, watering (the soaker systems are almost all in place but not quite yet). The official Day Brighteners Plant Sale will be May 25 and June 1 (I've been telling people the last two Saturdays in May but May 18 is too soon to plant outside, it's going to be ONE DEGREE this coming Saturday- jeesh).
Weekly Orders
To let you know how it works. Presently deliveries are each Wednesday between 5:30 and 6:30 (give or take 1/2 hour depending on how my office day has gone). I email you Monday to let you know what lovely colourful foods are available to eat. You email me back on Tuesday with what you'd love to have in your repertoire of good eating for the week and weekend. I pick and deliver Wednesday. Everything comes to you in your basket freshly washed and ready to eat. How do you like that?.
You only order what you'd like and we are tickled to provide you with it.
Otherwise, or maybe as well as, you can call me anytime and place a special order. I'd like more than a few hours' notice as I do see clients in the office, especially around real estate closing days.
Got some new pictures for you: - if I knew how to move them around better, I would, very frustrating.
What have we been up to? Read so many books for the entire month of February, books on GMOs, CAFOs, watched films on our water depletion and sugar, salt and fat issues, went to seminars and conferences about Organic Farming. - learned A LOT OF STUFF. Ask me, I'm willing to share.
We are now members of the National Farmers' Union.
The Sustainability Fair at the North Grenville Municipal Centre was wonderful, it's very encouraging to see so many young people moving to the area and starting organic farms and looking for resources.
When the time was right we planted seeds (several of which we save ourselves), tended to seedlings - up-potted, transferred to the ground in the Greenhouse and continue to do all of this every day from dawn to the beginning of the office day.
The weekly deliveries have grown and we really want to expand on that. The Kemptville Kinsmen Farmers' Market will now have longer hours (12 to 4 on Sundays) and we're not keen on that. We'd rather have all of our hard work saving seeds, starting the seeds, nurturing the seedlings, growing the food and maintaining the gardens going to a good home rather than wilting at the Market stand hoping someone will not buy from two stands over where a vegetable is 10 cents less. No, we've decided the best way for our vegetables to be eaten is freshly picked and delivered to you weekly or picked up by you on special order. We figure we can be occasional vendors at the Market if and when we have a surplus.
We're also pleased to be re-opening the Farm Gate Stand for passers-by on weekends.
Exciting News Today
The potatoes are in from Homestead Organics, we got the call and Tom picked them up on his way home from Cornwall this afternoon, they'll be going in to the newly roto-vated (sp.) garden on Saturday.
Chickens
We now have two silkies, Phoebe is white with grey and black markings and Rachel is black (see pic below). They are pricelessly full of character, but no eggs yet. They were given to us with their names, I don't watch TV so didn't know where the names came from, everyone else seems to know this. We'd been thinking of having chickens but missed the mark at ordering them, figured we'd try next year, but we're trying it out right now, this year. If it goes well, we'll get more next year, should be fun in the meantime. Oh, and they're also afraid of coming out of the coop ?? I dunno.
Plant Sale
We've been growing like crazy people and have so much of everything, best to come out and visit, check out what's available. We have trays of seedlings downstairs in the craft room, in the spare office, upstairs in the sitting area, in the little greenhouse we moved over to near the Big Greenhouse, in the Greenhouse on the floor, on tables, on stands, on buckets, everywhere one can squeeze a tray of seedlings, and outside sitting in the Herb Garden getting used to the weather and waiting to go into the ground this weekend. It's really hard to clean the house with trays all over so I'll clean in June - ya.
I'll post a price list of plants for sale once I can stop planting seeds, up-potting, transferring, weeding, watering (the soaker systems are almost all in place but not quite yet). The official Day Brighteners Plant Sale will be May 25 and June 1 (I've been telling people the last two Saturdays in May but May 18 is too soon to plant outside, it's going to be ONE DEGREE this coming Saturday- jeesh).
Weekly Orders
To let you know how it works. Presently deliveries are each Wednesday between 5:30 and 6:30 (give or take 1/2 hour depending on how my office day has gone). I email you Monday to let you know what lovely colourful foods are available to eat. You email me back on Tuesday with what you'd love to have in your repertoire of good eating for the week and weekend. I pick and deliver Wednesday. Everything comes to you in your basket freshly washed and ready to eat. How do you like that?.
You only order what you'd like and we are tickled to provide you with it.
Otherwise, or maybe as well as, you can call me anytime and place a special order. I'd like more than a few hours' notice as I do see clients in the office, especially around real estate closing days.
 |
| The cats were interested in our daily guests at the feeder this winter |
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| We love to eat and Moe took this picture of our dessert |
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| It's the girls - cute eh? |
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| Almost ready for the Greens Garden |
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| Sunflowers |
Friday, 11 January 2013
What I learned in 2012
I learned that it is REALLY hard to keep posting when you're working at what you're working at. It is fun and exciting but hard to keep on top of. So that said, let's recap the latter quarter of 2012 since my last entry.
The Farmers' Market Marketplates was fabulous! Jamie (The Crusty Baker) did magic with scones and sandwiches using all the produce I provided to her - people were coming back to our booth for seconds and thirds. Unfortunately this system will have to change because anyone arriving later with their ticket in hand wasn't able to taste from each booth and that's not right, but not in my hands, it's in the suggestion box.
Back on the Farm, the herbs were not affected by the drought, in fact they thrived on it.
Potatoes - Big Loss - we'll try again this year but only two kinds: Kennebec and Red which are the absolute best. And we'll plant a little closer to the house/water source, the hoses did not reach to the potatoes last year and we all suffered for it. Or maybe we'll get a well installed in the east field. We'll see in a couple of months - who would have thought when we planted in the sloshy mud that we'd have no water at all the entire summer.
The heat provided wonderfulness to the tomatoes and peppers, what a year for them - wow.
I learned that broccoli and celery like to grow in our gardens. The new Greens Garden was a huge success. When the nights began to frost up, we moved most of the salad green plants into the Greenhouse after evicting the limp frost-bitten tomato plants and after removing the unripened peppers from their stems. Again, Greens were a huge success, not bad for the first try. Just wait, there's no stopping us now.
I must mention that in late Summer/early Fall we began Weekly Basket Deliveries - what fun! We kept going until the week before Christmas, at which time the daylight hours were skimpy and greens were resisting growth. In the meantime for the Christmas season customers bought some of my dried Herbs, Baking and Tomato Sauce - that kept me out of trouble for a couple of weeks. Then we were trampled with about 2 feet of heavy snow in less than a week which stuck on the top of the Greenhouse over the Christmas and New Year's weeks. On January 5 we were able to remove most of the snow to let some light in and things seem to be growing and glowing again, ready to be delivered most likely in a week or two, very exciting.
I have said and will say again "It's all an experiment".
The Tractor now has new front tires and needed some parts replaced and these parts are not easy to find for the old 1952 Pony. I drove by a guy with a tractor that resembled ours yesterday and stopped to ask him where he gets the parts for his, but his is a 1944 Ford and he has no problems with finding parts - go figure.
Oh and Hurricane Sandy moved our Tractor Shelter high into the branches of a nearby tree. I wondered why the traffic on the road was slowing down as they passed our place - rubberneckers. I didn't see it until I came back toward the house from the mailbox. Oh my.
Planning for 2013 growing season: More broccoli, more Salad Greens, more Celery, more Herbs, more Roma and Heirloom Tomatoes, fewer hot peppers, more Sweet Peppers, more Squash and their families, more Cucumber varieties, more Root Vegetable varieties like parsnip, carrots, beets, onions. Less Eggplant.
So, in all, 2012 was a great year on the Farm.
2013 should be Fantastic. We are looking forward to every day of it starting right now.
Happy New Year everyone.
The Farmers' Market Marketplates was fabulous! Jamie (The Crusty Baker) did magic with scones and sandwiches using all the produce I provided to her - people were coming back to our booth for seconds and thirds. Unfortunately this system will have to change because anyone arriving later with their ticket in hand wasn't able to taste from each booth and that's not right, but not in my hands, it's in the suggestion box.
Back on the Farm, the herbs were not affected by the drought, in fact they thrived on it.
Potatoes - Big Loss - we'll try again this year but only two kinds: Kennebec and Red which are the absolute best. And we'll plant a little closer to the house/water source, the hoses did not reach to the potatoes last year and we all suffered for it. Or maybe we'll get a well installed in the east field. We'll see in a couple of months - who would have thought when we planted in the sloshy mud that we'd have no water at all the entire summer.
The heat provided wonderfulness to the tomatoes and peppers, what a year for them - wow.
I learned that broccoli and celery like to grow in our gardens. The new Greens Garden was a huge success. When the nights began to frost up, we moved most of the salad green plants into the Greenhouse after evicting the limp frost-bitten tomato plants and after removing the unripened peppers from their stems. Again, Greens were a huge success, not bad for the first try. Just wait, there's no stopping us now.
I must mention that in late Summer/early Fall we began Weekly Basket Deliveries - what fun! We kept going until the week before Christmas, at which time the daylight hours were skimpy and greens were resisting growth. In the meantime for the Christmas season customers bought some of my dried Herbs, Baking and Tomato Sauce - that kept me out of trouble for a couple of weeks. Then we were trampled with about 2 feet of heavy snow in less than a week which stuck on the top of the Greenhouse over the Christmas and New Year's weeks. On January 5 we were able to remove most of the snow to let some light in and things seem to be growing and glowing again, ready to be delivered most likely in a week or two, very exciting.
I have said and will say again "It's all an experiment".
The Tractor now has new front tires and needed some parts replaced and these parts are not easy to find for the old 1952 Pony. I drove by a guy with a tractor that resembled ours yesterday and stopped to ask him where he gets the parts for his, but his is a 1944 Ford and he has no problems with finding parts - go figure.
Oh and Hurricane Sandy moved our Tractor Shelter high into the branches of a nearby tree. I wondered why the traffic on the road was slowing down as they passed our place - rubberneckers. I didn't see it until I came back toward the house from the mailbox. Oh my.
Planning for 2013 growing season: More broccoli, more Salad Greens, more Celery, more Herbs, more Roma and Heirloom Tomatoes, fewer hot peppers, more Sweet Peppers, more Squash and their families, more Cucumber varieties, more Root Vegetable varieties like parsnip, carrots, beets, onions. Less Eggplant.
So, in all, 2012 was a great year on the Farm.
2013 should be Fantastic. We are looking forward to every day of it starting right now.
Happy New Year everyone.
Sunday, 9 September 2012
MarketPlates at KKFM today
Kemptville Kinsmen Farmers' Market is very excited to present MARKETPLATES today 12-4 at Riverside Park. See details on my KKFM link. I'm paired with The Crusty Baker, very exciting - see you there!
Saturday, 1 September 2012
Hi, it's been a while.
Been busy, really really busy. The last time I was blogging the potatoes were doing okay after all. Well, herbs love the dry weather as much as the bugs and weeds do. Have you noticed the amount of beautiful butterflies on the flowers? The Wednesday weekly basket deliveries are going very well, it's a thrill to have others enjoying the food from our Farm. The Kemptville Kinsmen Farmers' Market is proving to be a great source of customers and visits each Sunday. The Market is such a great social scene too. Otherwise my head would be buried in office files 100% of the time rather than just 70%. Days start early, usually digging potatoes or plucking tomatoes and peppers at 7 a.m., in the office from 10 ish to 6:30somethingish. We actually began planning for the winter plant in the Greenhouse and are excited to be plotting out the garden themes for next spring - wow. Time is passing so quickly, I'd just like to yell "Stop!" just for a little bit. Am off to meet Julie in Picton for a few days, we both need the rest. Won't be at the Farmers' Market this Sunday the 2nd but will be back September 9, ready for MarketPlates (see the Kemptville Kinsmen Farmers' Market site for details).
Remember you can call me or email me for your supply of tomatoes and herbs for sauces and salsas. The cilantro is coming along quite nicely, expect it to be ready in a week or so.
The last beans and snow peas we planted a few weeks ago should be ready next weekend. Celery is wonderful, must grow more of that next year. We're still harvesting broccoli. The new salad greens should be ready mid to late September for fall munchin'.
Have a wonderful long end of summer weekend everyone!
Remember you can call me or email me for your supply of tomatoes and herbs for sauces and salsas. The cilantro is coming along quite nicely, expect it to be ready in a week or so.
The last beans and snow peas we planted a few weeks ago should be ready next weekend. Celery is wonderful, must grow more of that next year. We're still harvesting broccoli. The new salad greens should be ready mid to late September for fall munchin'.
Have a wonderful long end of summer weekend everyone!
Monday, 6 August 2012
Some Pics after the lovely rain
Great News! We checked the potatoes to see how bad things were AND they are fine! Yield is not as high as we would have liked, but despite the awful looking tops, the potatoes under the soil are wonderful. Let's hear it for potatoes - hip hip hooray!
The Greenhouse is looking very different than
when we first began, as I look back at the pictures.
Look who's minding the store, I saw her Saturday, she was so tiny, all legs and a little body.
Sunday she was 5 times larger, this morning she's stunning!
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| Alma Paprika Peppers |
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| Reach for the Sky- tomatoes |
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| Marconi Sweet Peppers, almost ready |
when we first began, as I look back at the pictures.
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| Butterhead Lettuce |
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| This is not a cucumber |
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| Lettuce, looking like a poster |
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| Celery, not ready yet, but looking and smelling pretty good |
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| Happy it's not too hot out now |
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| Hail to the Hardy |
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| Peaking around at the camera |
Sunday she was 5 times larger, this morning she's stunning!
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| Isn't she a beauty! |
Saturday, 4 August 2012
Weekly baskets to begin NOW - yahoo
So, I've emailed all who have shown a definite interest in weekly delivery. I really hope I didn't miss anyone. If you don't receive an email from me today and you are interested, I apologize, just drop me a note or call me and I'll make sure you're set up. Thanks and have a Wonderful Long Weekend. Hope for rain, not too much, just enough to make our green ones happy and not to ruin your plans. :)
See you at the Kemptville Kinsmen Farmers' Market Sunday 2-4 p.m.
See you at the Kemptville Kinsmen Farmers' Market Sunday 2-4 p.m.
My Pick - true farmers
Exciting news! The rep. from My Pick was here yesterday to interview us and to tour our small Farm. My Pick's mission is to verify the farmers' market vendors across Ontario and to make us recognizable to purchasers who want to be sure we are not reselling another's produce and we are, in fact, selling what we grow and growing what we sell.
This is good for you. You'll be able to see the My Pick poster at our stall soon.
This is good for you. You'll be able to see the My Pick poster at our stall soon.
Friday, 3 August 2012
Let the colours begin
FINALLY! The tomatoes are starting to redden up, the cukes are looking more cukey, the peppers are changing from green to whatever colour they're intended to be in the end, some seeds I planted which were marked "Cukes" are turning into something large and gnarley. I do believe there was some mislabeling on my part. The potatoes . . . well let's not go there, I do have hope, I do, I really do. This is certainly the year of the weeds, oh and the year of the bugs, especially tomato horn worms. Tom and I have contests to see who can find one first or find the biggest one. We love watching the wild turkeys and their little ones early in the morning walking up and down the rows in the field gardens picking things out that I don't want to deal with. Good for them, good for us. The flower gardens are pretty much dying, other than the established perennials, any water we use is designated for food only. I've been watering flowerpots with water left over from boiling corn or potatoes, which is probably better for them anyway. The rain barrels have proven an excellent source for us to get Some water out to the beans and carrots in the field where the potatoes (oh the poor poor potatoes) are. So we planted more carrots, sorrel and beets closer to the water source so they'll be fine. The greens garden is absolutely wonderful as it's in the shade most of the morning, although some of the heirloom romaine went to seed when I was looking, like in A DAY!. So we planted more. I can always use more seeds later this summer anyway, it's all good. I have to say the broccoli has been outstanding. Who would have thunk? I never grew broccoli before, it's been fantastic! When the first batch is done, which is almost now, the next ones will kick in, then the next ones . . . you get it. We've bought some beautiful baskets for weekly deliveries and will start next week. Again I say FINALLY! Yahoo! Yipee! Oh yeah.
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