The moon is always out, errm well, at least part of it

The moon is out whenever Farmer Drew is in the field...


What does that mean? Any takers?

Thars plantings in dim thar furrows

The tractor is running hot and so is the sun on the back of my neck. Yahoo! I applied sun screen yesterday! Next step is to dust off the old straw hat to increase my personal SPF.

Poor old Farmer Drew lost his straw hat to the puppy. Rather, Pie munched and drug and shredded and scattered that old hat to ensure her old man had to get a new one. Reckon I ought to pick one up for the old boy seeing as how it is hard for him to get away these days. And it will only get more difficult and getting a hat on his own will be ever present on the "when I get a round to it" list.

Friday was a haapy day: We preped several beds and planted out the goods we had started as early as January 29! Broccoli is in the field!!

The fields look different this go-round: The rows are tilled and planted to follow the countour of the land. Aint nothing straight at a right angel down at the Crooked Furrow. This adjustment should allow for better irrigation, if not better then, more effective and even.

Also two newcomers have spent time working, helping on the Farm. Both said they would come again on a regular basis. Without jumping to hasty conclusions, we might just have or seasonal Team. That means the 4 of us will be at hand to harvest and cultivate and fill CSA boxes. I can see it now: A well oiled machine. Groovin'. Doin' it!

It's on, now.

Who is keeping track? Spring is sprung all around and sprining a bit more each day. Ground work has begun and Markets are open. Why, I planted peas today! Tomorrow should result in multipul rows of Brassicas planted out. Also many rows of salads and lettuce have been pushed out. There is no stopping it: Food time is nigh time. Set the good food mood, dude; outdoor planting is on, soaking up the sun and lengthing daylight gets the Farm growing.

It's a whole new ballgame

This blog has been very quite lately. Not that hasnt been a rambucious lot going on at the Farm. I mean, there has been A LOT going on in recent weeks. I am going to have to say that the most noteable is the acquisition of the Farm's new Business Manager. From office organization to marketing and sales, Catherine is on board and getting down to it! As she is so fond of saying, "it's handled." She is also fond of saying, "how about now?" Which is shorthand for stop procrastinating and get 'er did.

To our Farming Periodic Table she is a new element.

Thank you for your efforts, caring, and help, Honey. (It's ok. I can call her that. She is also my Wife.)

With an actual real-life "manager" our game is stepped up, taken to a new level...it is a whole new ball game.

What is growing on? PART I

Here is the dish, people. Yummy in the tummy and not only Green.

Leafy salads are truly delicious and nutritious! So much good food grows in the crooked furrows I thought you might want to know what is growing in the cold frame right now.

And, it is ready for eating!

Can you dig it? Some of the salad greens have been harvested since early February! And in this hemisphere February is in the winter...



Arugula: This plant is so cool, in some places, it is called Rocket. The taste, to me, is nutty with a slight spiciness. Love it in a salad, straight from the garden, on a pizza, or cooked with eggs. And for one's health Arugula is rich in vitamin C and Potassium. And who knew it was a good source of Protein? And a very good source of dietary fiber? We all do now. Get Some!
Arugula is commonly combined with the following ingredients: prosciutto, goat cheese, endive, Parmesan cheese, and sun-dried tomato. yummm.
(Go here for way too much nutritional information.)

Mesclun: Literally it means mixture. And that is just what we have. The Mesclun mix is quite a variety of leafy greens and even has red and purple(ish) mustard 'greens'. There is even a speckled lettuce and arugula in it. Since Mesclun Mix originated in France you know it is fancy. A real beauty with different colors, textures and leaf shapes, and a treat for the palate with its robust flavors. After having a Mesclun salad I have heard it exclaimed, "Whoa! Wow. Now that was one delicious salad!"

We are growing several other varieties of leafy greens currently. Please click through the list if you would like to see the descriptions Wikipedia style:

Endive


Mache also known as Corn Salad.

Mustard Greens which has many applications for culinary delictibility if you visit epicurious.

(OK. So it is a short list. I forgot specific names of the others. I will brush up on the names and varieties and post a PART II.)