Glimpses of Early Summer

Summer Beauty

Summer Discovery

Summer Delicacy

Summer Bliss

Summer Respite

May Farm Updates

Its hard to believe that its been nearly a month since our last update, but oh what progress we've made around the farm. Nearly all the spring transplants are in as are the first and part of the second rounds of crop sowing. The earliest crops in the high tunnel are already phasing out and we are in the process of transitioning over to mid-season crops there.

Work on the new building continues, but at a slower pace now as Jill's dad is mostly stuck working alone since Sean's knee (though much improved) is still not up to climbing ladders and the gardens require most of Jill's attentions.

 Looking great with 3/4 of the roofing and the east lean-to steel in place

There are no words to express how thankful we are for all of Dad's efforts and for the huge help provided by Sean C during his time here this past week!

The gardens are progressing very nicely, due mostly to the efforts of our this year's crack farm crew. The crops are looking the most promising that they have in many seasons. We wouldn't mind a little break from the rain now though!

The fruit trees are also looking exceptionally productive this year. Even the ancient apricot tree that only bears every 10 years or so is loaded with young fruit as are most of the peach trees and the apples and pears as well.

With so many things changing and growing, there was still one outstanding element that was causing a little deep-seated discomfort...until this weekend, that is...

 It may not look like much, but this is exactly what we've been waiting for, the appearance of the first, immature growth of our newly planting acre of asparagus crowns. So far it looks like we've got a pretty good preliminary survival/growth rate. Not very happy to see the standing water in parts of the patch, but hopefully the soil will drain fairly well since it was so recently worked. I was a little surprised at the immense feeling of relief that washed over me as I stood surveying the plot yesterday. Guess I was a little more worried about it than I realized.

The Age of Asparagus

I have been rather neglectful of the blog recently, but things are really hopping around the farm, Sean included. Actually Sean is doing better and is slowly moving around the farm with a soft knee brace, a big improvement over the immobilizer.

The progress on the new building has continued, though on a much slower pace, as other spring chores have taken precedence. The biggest of these was the delivery of 6,500 asparagus crowns, which finally arrived after weeks of rain.

Two bundles of crowns, 30-50 crowns in each

Unfortunately, the weather eliminated our ability to host a work-day for the big planting project so we were left to our own devices. This included borrowing a furrowing implement from our friends at Grinnell Heritage Farm (HUGE thanks to Andy & Melissa!), and then hand placing all 6,500 crowns.

And finally, tucking each crown into its new bed. Luckily for us, this was made ever so much easier by my inventive Dad and his ingenious row-covering device.

Yep, that would be a 3-point bale stabber bracketed to two seat planks from my Grandpa Henderson's old picnic table, pulled by Dad's JD 2020...worked like a dream! We started Sunday afternoon and finished today before noon. A feat only accomplished with some amazing help. Huge thanks to Dad, Mom, Kristin & Uncle Dean for all their hard work, creative thinking, patience & restorative meals!

So now all we have to do is wait two years, and then we hope to have asparagus is abundance!

Spring Hiccups

Spring has come rushing in like a mad-thing throwing everything into a riot of bloom and activity. We have fruit trees budded and blooming to the point that its nearly obscene. The most exciting to date is the apricot trees, which only bear every 4-6 years.

An Apricot Promise

The bees have been out in the trees in full force, despite the wind and cool temps. To add to the excitement, we added another 12 hives just this week, with an additional 5 to arrive in a few days. As I mentioned on the farm's Facebook page, there is something a little crazy about driving any distance with +/- 144,000 bees in your car. Luckily it was a fairly uneventful trip.

Given the great early-season working conditions, we were able to get the gardens prepped earlier than usual, (mostly due to the fearless new BCS). This was an unexpected plus, given that we are now cold and soggy with 100lbs of potatoes to plant and 6,500 asparagus crowns that have already been postponed twice. Ah spring, you heady tease!

The real topper for the craziness occurred last week as Sean was practicing his "death-defying-ladder-and-electric-saw-dancing trick", while working on the new building. The ladder provided the trick and down they both went. Luckily the saw didn't follow them down, but Sean was rewarded with a nasty banged-up knee and a fancy new piece of hardware (knee immobilizer). So now he is mostly relegated to household duties and hard surface work areas.

Despite the madness we are marching forward and mostly making progress. Thanks to the ever-supportive Blue Gate Parents, we planted nearly 300 row feet of shallots just before the rains started. And just today we hosted Dr. Dolezal's Nature Writing and Environmental Literature class from Central College. This great group of students and their fearless leader came out for a cold, rainy-day tour, asked some great questions and then helped weed the high tunnel and assemble beehive parts. What a crew!

So here's to the promise of Spring , what a crazy temptress she is, hiccups and all!

 

Progress

We are making progress on many fronts these days. The high tunnels are all sown and growing, we have a sunroom full of little (and not-so-little) transplants, we burned some native prairie areas plus some of the gardens that were overcome with weeds last year

we bought a "fancy" new BCS walking tractor/tiller and have prepped a good percentage of the beds and we are still making forward progress on the new building...

its about enough to wear out a farm dog (or two farm dogs and a farmer) out!

Framed

 The recent weather has been kind to us and we are making steady progress forward. At least now it takes less imagination to see the future building

Greek Progress

We continue to make progress on the new packing shed. All the posts are in and the first roof truss is in the air, though not quite in its final position. This shot really gives an idea of the scale of the new building compared to the existing one. Somehow it reminds me of the Parthenon in Greece. Must say, trying to get that first truss in place was interesting...the first one is always the hardest (I hope!)