TAKING TIME TO SMELL THE ROSES

Today I slept in.  Yep, that's right, I slept until 9:30 in the morning.  Got up, took a shower, took the plastic off the plants (frost warning again last night) and went to town to get my hair done.  It is a lot shorter than it has been in years but I love it.  In fact, I may go a bit shorter on my next visit.  What about going back to blonde?  Could be. 

Anyway, the farm beat Mother Nature again last night.  All plants made it through the frost warning without injury.  We covered the early garden with plastic and threw sheets over all the rest.   When I uncovered them this morning, I was happily releived.  I even saw the okra coming up.  Remember the okra, farmer Robert drove over it with the tractor.  But it has that great survival spirit and is coming up through the tire marks. 

In case I forgot to tell you, the sweet corn is up.  That is the first planting, we will plant every couple of weeks for a month or so.  We used our new to us 4 row planter this time.  The first time, we forgot to open all the knobs and only planted 1 row of the 4, but we figured it out and have been planting a regular 4 rows like we were suppose too.  It is way cool. 

Blueberries are doing well.  Third year for some.  Deer likes them, did a lot of pruning to these bushes but as long as they leave some we'll be OK.

Out to recover the plants.  I like the idea of a mini greenhouse on them while it is cool.  Maybe it will hasten bloom and fruiting.  Lessons to be learned.

See ya on the farm
Charlotte

WHAT'S UP ON THE FARM?

We had 3 days of rain this week.  Mother Nature is undecided today, fickle ole woman that she is, whether we have had enough or not.  Anyway, it was much needed.  I have the early garden in at least 1 month earlier than usual.  The tomatoes are doing fabulous.  In the raised beds, I have 30 celebrity tomatoes and 30 juliet tomatoes.  I know it doesn't sound like much, but remember it is the EARLY garden.  I also have 74 eggplant, 56 green peppers, about 100 leeks, a bed of beets, 4 long rows of okra, 6 looonnng rows of green beans and sweet corn.  I'll try to get pictures, but remember from earlier posts, lost my camera.  Haven't been able to find it yet.

The next phase of the garden will be going in within the next 2 weeks.  The greenhouse is holding the plants getting ready for this planting.  The plants will be hardened off beginning the middle of the week and in the ground soon after.  For the final phase of the planting, around the end of May, the seedlings are just emerging their heads from the soil in the seedling room.  They will be ready for their first transplanting in about 2 weeks.  Right on scedule. 

I have decided to diversify yet again.  I have a beautiful seedling room and great greenhouses so why not try my hand at perennials. Flowers that come up year after year.  They are so expensive at the stores, and look like fertilizer in it's raw form (crap) so it was worth a try.  They are looking fabulous.  The only thing with these is they must be held over a year so they can be sold with some size on them.  Most perennial don't bloom the first year and buyers want the bloom.  Heck, so do I.  But with unheated greenhouses and barns, it shouldn't be any trouble, right, RIGHT.. Update as possible.

Back to work, I must go.  Finally getting over a chest cold that has slowed me down.  Back to female farming with a passion.  Remember, we will be at the Wabash Valley Herb Faire, in Terre Haute,Indiana the Sat before Mother's Day.  Hope to see you there, in the meantime....

See ya on the farm
Charlotte

MARTHA'S CREW DOESN'T LIVE HERE

People have hinted and just plain asked to see our farm.  I am always hesitant to let anyone see it.  Now, mind you, I am proud of our place.  We have worked hard in the last 10 years to make it our home.  But, the biggest concern is:  it is not picture perfect.  I can always see what needs to be done.  The chicken coop needs cleaned, the weeding needs to be done, more mulch needs laid, greenhouse is a mess, etc...  It never looks "company ready".  As for the house, well, we'll just say it could use some attention and leave it at that!

I had a load of garden soil dropped by an old high school teacher of Jennifer's.  He went on and on about our farm and how pretty it is.  It was then I had that "aha" moment.  It may not look like Martha's place but it is a fabulous WORKING farm.  It will look messy at times as we priorize what must be done.  I don't have the crew to do the work, nor would I want too.  I like to do the work ourselves.  That is what farmers do. 

So:  come over, visit, rest a spell.  If the mess bothers you, weed a little, the pitchfork is beside the chicken coop door, water in the greenhouse, whatever makes you happy, is just fine with me.  I love our little piece of heaven on earth and am more than willing to share it with you.  WELCOME and...

See ya on the farm
Charlotte

WARNING: FROST AND FREEZE POSSIBLE TONIGHT

Those are some of the worst words a market farmer hears.  The weather in Indiana has just been sweltering for the past 2 weeks.  Whoever heard of upper 80's the first 2 weeks of April.  Planting has been going on with a vengeance.  Then....those dreaded words.  I spent 3 hours this evening after I got home from being a vendor at a show at St. Mary of the Woods, covering and moving plants that could get hurt tonight. 

Do we rush the season to be one of the first to get fresh vegetables to the market.  Yes, of course we do.  This is how we make a living.  The weather is so unpredictable that any window of opportunity has to be seized.  But then you must spend several hours running around like a chicken with it's head cut off just to make sure you don't lose those plants.  I LOVE MY LIFE!!!  REALLY, I DO

What other job is there where I get to spend time with my grandkids while quietly teaching them about nature, local foods and a sense of family and continuity.  What other job is there where I get to spend the morning and afternoon with customers/friends, make a little money and then come home to the farm and get greeted by my hens waiting for dinner.  I get to go over the back hill and mushroom hunt.  Sit beside my husband while he is planting beans and sweet corn or plant them myself while rocking to the songs in my head, via the headset.  Could it get any better?  Female Farm Power - strong in the midwest

Hope you can come and see the farm someday.  You too will feel the same as I, at peace with the world.

See ya on the farm
Charlotte

MADDER THAN A WET HEN

While waiting in line at one of our local seed and feed places, I overheard something that would anger any animal lover.  Now mind you, I eat meat but I see no need to harm an animal for lack of knowledge.

I was at this store to pick up 5 ducks for Wyatt's 4-H project.  His Mom had ordered them from this store for their annual chick day.  This young man standing in front of me was picking up his 25 Rhode Island Red pullets.  The sales lady asked if he would like to purchase any extra Rhode Island Reds that they had.  He politely declined and then asked if he got "girls".  At least he knew that the girls lay the eggs.  He did not know what the word "pullet" meant.  Not a big deal, everyone has to start somewhere, right? 

BUT THEN THE WORSE CAME:

He asked the lady and gentleman who gladly took his money for advice as he knew nothing about the chicks.  He told them he planned to put them in a box and turn on  the lights to keep them warm.  They just smiled and said "just make sure they can get away from the heat source so you don't cook'em".  This poor guy, who raises cattle and horses was getting these chicks for his children to watch grow.  With that kind of advice, the kids can watch for about 24 hours before they learn a hard farm lesson: 

CHICKS DIE WITHOUT PROPER CARE

What could I do but impart my vast knowledge of chicken wisdom to this poor guy.  (go ahead and laugh, those that know me.  We had quite a few chicken funerals before I got it right)  Poor guy left there with a heat lamp, heating bulb, sawdust, chick starter, feed bowls, water bowls.  I bet he thought he was getting a bargain by getting 25 free chicks with each 50 pound bag of chick starter.  I bet he rethought that!!!

Anyway, those chicks might have a chance and I feel pretty good using my female farm power for good. 

Pray that God watches over all those thousands of little chicks that were picked up today from the wanna be farmers who forgot to educate themselves before buying.

Thanks for letting me vent. 

See ya on the farm

Charlotte

FEMALE FARM POWER

By the time I have the early market garden planted, I will be able to bench press a moose.  To get the market garden ready, I used the walk behind tiller for about 3 hours yesterday.  I left a space for the next row of raised beds to go once they are made.  I soaked the okra seeds last night and plan to get them in the ground today.  Todays planting will be zuchinni, summer squash, okra, spinach, and something new for Appleseed Farm: a taste of asia with radish minowase and pak choi.  The raised bed plantings will continue with more eggplant and tomatoes and peppers. 

I did not use the toilet brush on the peach blooms.  Couldn't do it.  Way too pretty.  So now we have to pick off all the extra peaches in order for the crop to mature.  Next year, pretty or not, a brushin they will get.  5 new gooseberry bushes will be in the ground tonight.  I finally found the perfect spot for them.  Since we are adding on to the house with a new kitchen (wha-hoo) it is limited where we can plant so the trucks can get to the kitchen area.  My kitchen is so small, without a dining room or eat in area, family get-togethers are cozy to say the least.  I'll post pictures as we work on it.  Not in any hurry.

Got to get into town and order 50 more rhubarb roots for the patch.  I try and put in 25 - 50 a year.  This year has been a little tough because I fell and screwed up my knee.  Has been a little impossible to put weight on it when bending.  It is getting better, so now I can plant with a vengeance. 

POURAPIE portion of Appleseed Farm is gearing up.  Have to get to the shop to check inventory.  Have a big order to fill and a show this weekend.  The life of a female farmer.  Jennifer and I, probably Sam will be at Earth Day at St. Mary of the Woods, In.  It is Sat. from 11-3.  Can't wait. 

Now, to be fair, I should probably tell you that I had a meltdown last night.  My greenhouse is still full of wasps.  I can't get help to get my second greenhouse up (I've had that sucker 2  years now), wood bees are all over the barn, and I fell again and hurt my ankle.  I needed a good cry session and a good ole farm tantrum.  Darn good thing no one was here.  Got it out of my system and am back up to snuff today.  Wish me a better day today. 

I hope there is someone out there reading this blog and living my life as a female farmer with me.  Are you there?  I hope so.

See ya on the farm
Charlotte

Windy Wednesday

The wind is whipping something fierce today.  Actually, it has been bad this entire month.  But, oh, the wonderful temps.  Whoever thought 83 degrees in the first of April.  Makes it good to continue the farm cleanup.

2010 Blueberries to plant.  Aren't they gorgeous. 

Planting is a family affair, even Sam gets involved

AND THE WINNER IS.....

And the winner is....

Kristen

You are the lucky winner of a jar of PourAPie.  Loved your memory about your and your grandmother.  She must have been something special.  I'll drop off your jar next time I'm in Terre Haute. 

Farm Update:

Seedling room is going well.  Starting a new seeds now every week or so to help with the staggering of the planting this summer.  This gives up great produce all season long.

The greenhouse is FULL. I have plants on the ground even.  There has been a swarm of wasps who have decided to use squatters rights in there.  There are vicious little creatures.  I love the pollenating that bees do but dive bombong the landlord is not a good idea.  Had to resort to wasp and hornet spray.  Can't let the little future farmers get stung.

I have finished putting plastic on all the raised beds that we have ready.  I also lined the walkways.  Last year, we had to fight weeds to get through.  Not this year.  Pictures soon, I promise.  I will put red mulch down on all the pathways and around the greenhouse.  What I have done so far looks smashing. 

Putting sawdust around the blueberries is an all spring project.  The sawmill I get the sawdust from is open to all.  It is first come, first served, so you have to be quick to get it.  I can remember when the sawdust building was full and it was in the parking lot.  Oh  the economy.  Anyway, I have the rows closest to the homestead done and will now start the ones on the hill.  Sometimes, I just pray for rain.

The orchard is looking great.  We had to replace about 20 trees that were planted last year and didn't make it.  I think that is all we will plant is just replacements this year.  With the kids moving, it is hard to get it all done.  I have yet to put sawdust around all the trees in the young orchard, but hope to get it accomplished this summer as well. 

All for now, enjoy this fabulous weather.  Love to all

See ya on the farm

Charlotte