Spring update

We gambled and planted our first seeds outside on March 15, before the big snow. Steve didn’t mention this to our farmer friends right away.  Planting that early is risky.  What if it was a flop?  Tucked under white floating row cover, the spinach, radishes, salad turnips and greens are doing great.  If there’s a chance to get in the fields early, we’ll take it.  Steve crawls under the row cover every few days to check on the seedlings.

It’s time to register for your CSA share, if you haven’t already.  Returning Tipi members, go here to re-enroll.  New members can register here.

Today was a remarkably productive day.  We’re flying through our spring tasks.  Let’s share some photos.

All the seedlings are so strong right now.  The onions are beautiful as they wave in the wind.  We will start transplanting these into the field tomorrow.  This photo represents spring hope for us; the promise of the young seedlings and the bright green cover crops in the field behind the shed.

We transplanted our first lettuce on April 1.  No fooling.  It’s growing well under heat-gathering row cover.  Lettuce #2 went into the ground today.  Simone drives the tractor while Joel, Dan and Jon ride the transplanter and Kerry checks the seedling depth.

We love our mechanical transplanter – it saves so much effort versus transplanting by hand.

Nice sturdy seedlings.

The green garlic survived the winter without trouble.

Jon and Joel pull mulch off the strawberry plants so they can start to grow.

Irrepressible rhubarb!

Simone waters lettuce seedlings in flats.  The light is gorgeous at the end of the day.