Precipitation in the past month: Rain: 0.35"
Snow: 8.00"
Happy spring from the farm! Though there is snow in the forecast, our little part of the earth has embraced the seasonal change as the daylight hours continue to increase. On the land, the fields are showing a green haze beneath the brown and we are seeing the first of the spring growth on early plants.
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 | | Rhubarb |
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 | | Strawberry |
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The garlic is another of our "early risers" in the spring and it is now pushing through the straw much enough that we can start to see the rows. We're looking forward to another great garlic year!
The skies over the farm are filled with the return of our migratory birds. The air is filled with spring birdsong from the robins, meadowlarks and killdeer and the first of the spring peepers and chorus frogs. The song of spring is raucous around here!
Our biggest focuses right now are seeding crops and watching the weather.
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| Freshly planted and ready to grow! |
The high tunnels have mostly been cleared of winter crops, the beds prepped and replanted with early spring crops. We spend quite a bit of time putting on and taking off the row cover fabric on these beds as they need as much sun as possible on warm days, but still require protection from the colder temps.
We are a little less than half way through seeding our transplants for the main growing season. In the past month we've sown: lettuces, choi, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, chard, kale, collards, peas, flowers, roselle, fennel, eggplant, peppers, herbs and ground cherries. Space in our sunroom nursery is now at a premium and some of the hardier plants like onions and kale had to move out to the small high tunnel to start hardening off and to make space for other new crops.
VegEmail deliveries continue on the winter schedule of every other Tuesday in Des Moines at Peace Tree-Des Moines Branch and in Knoxville at the Grand Theater. We will continue to do these sales every two weeks until the first of May. Just because it's winter, doesn't mean you can't still enjoy fresh, local foods. Our next delivery is Tuesday, 3/28 and the order form will be open until 3/26 at 10pm. If you aren't receiving the VegEmail order form and you would like to, just fill out the form here: VegEmail.
CSA 2023: Signup season is here and we still have space available at all our delivery locations! Thanks and welcome to everyone who has already signed up and to the many members who have paid early! Full payments are due on April 30 and we will send out invoices in early April.
If you haven't been a CSA member with us before and are interested, here's where to find details: CSA Info. If you are ready to join us for a season of veggie adventures, here's the direct link to sign up: CSA 2023 Signup. If you have questions, just shoot us a message.
If you know someone who would love a season full of fresh, local, chemical-free produce, please share the joy and send them our way! Our amazing members and customers are the best ambassadors of the farm!
Is a monthly newsletter not enough for you? Do you want to read more about our life on the farm and see more pictures? Follow us on Facebook at or on Instagram at bluegatefarmfresh. CSA members and current local customers can also connect with other BGF members to share recipes or ask questions on our Facebook community page at Blue Gate Farm Community.
That's about it for now. If you have any questions or comments, be sure to let us know.
Best from the farm,
Jill & Sean (and the whole BGF crew)
The garlic is another of our "early risers" in the spring and it is now pushing through the straw much enough that we can start to see the rows. We're looking forward to another great garlic year!
CSA 2023: Signup season is here and we still have space available at all our delivery locations! Thanks and welcome to everyone who has already signed up and to the many members who have paid early! Full payments are due on April 30 and we will send out invoices in early April.
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