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

Spring is here, I think

This weekend has been one of the best ones this year.  The grandsons, Wyatt and Tucker spent the night Friday night.  There is a 6 year age difference between them but they play together pretty well.  We went to the "How to train your dinosaur" movie on Saturday.  Pretty good, but graphic.  Some of the kids there got scared and cried.  Not mine, they laughed.  What does that say about us? 

After the boys went home on Sat. evening, I was able to get some transplanting done in the seedling room and then in the greenhouse.  I love this time of year, except the unstable weather does give me a migraine or two. 

Sunday has been overcast and chilly.  After tending the critters and the plants, I have been working on a quilt.  It has been a few years since I have quilted due to time issues.  I had hoped to get back to it sooner but Appleseed Farm has taken most of my time.  Now that I am staying at home, I should be able to eek out a little time each day for quilting. 

Another favorite past time is cooking.  Today I made the old favorite, chili.  Robert will be gone most of the week so this gives me soup for the week. 

Both of our kids are moving!  Both houses are covered in boxes.  Jennifer and Kenneth have found and bought their house, close on Thursday.  Steve and Erin continue the hunt but have to move soon as they have gotten rid of theirs.  Moving with toddlers, remember the days, glad they are over!!

Got to get to the greenhouse for some last minute transplanting before night.  Happy Spring to all.  Don't forget the giveaway.  If you haven't made a comment, you should do so.  The contest ends on the 31st.

See ya on the farm
Charlotte

THE OTHER FUTURE FARMERS OF APPLESEED FARM

Tucker and Lauren

As promised here are the other two most special little people in my life.  These are my son, Steve's kids.  I don't see them as often as I would like but as often as I can.  Tuck is spending the night with Nana and Papaw this week. He is on spring break. 

Lauren and Nana

(not a good pix of Nana but just keeping it real)

Lauren is not really into anything special.  She likes dressing up and changing her clothes a lot.  She is a snuggle bunny.  She is happiest when sitting on someone's lap, riding on your hip (esp. Mama).She is our little DIVA

And this is Tucker.  Rotten to the core.  He looks like his daddy.  He loves dinosaurs and sharks.  He is definitely all boy.  He likes to be on the farm and ride all the big boy toys. 

They are definitely the beating of my heart.  I love my kids but adore my grandkids.  Who knew they would be so fun?  It's a riot every time they come to play. I think we'll keep them!

Nana loves you both very much

See ya on the farm

Charlotte