what a lovely rain last night. We needed it. We were
working very hard to get everything planted and beds ready for transplanting in
the rainy days to come. The gardens look better than ever. Almost
all the fields have been worked up to plant or to cut back the weeds for now.
Yesterday I plowed the old broccoli and kale field which was very
grassy. I did that last year with the broccoli field and I planted two rounds
of buck wheat which winter killed. This year it is the sweetest ground to
work up with almost no weeds. And I am planting our favorite mixed greens
into it. What are we gonna do with ourselves if we don't' have to weed a
bed for 16hrs?
So when I plowed Henry the tractor suddenly stopped
working at the end of the field and quit on me. I noticed an oil leak ran
for a bucket and called my mechanic. I had to give him a ride from Russell
and he fixed Henry's broken gasket in 1 1/2 hrs. So I got to finish
plowing just before the rain came.
The first round of peas, spinach,, mixed
greens, carrots, beets and cilantro are up. ( we had to water to help
them germinate) and need weeding already. We finished planting the
second peas, spinach, mixed greens and carrots and cilantro, planted most of
the onions and leeks, first potatoes and parsnips are in and the greenhouse is
bursting full of tomato, broccoli. cauliflower and pepper transplants. So
much to do to water to keep up with.
Today I will seed zukes and cukes and
melons and more cabbage in containers in the greenhouse.
Thank you for sending in your CSA papers and money. Payroll has started and I am
thankful to be able to pay everybody even if we don't have much sales
yet. Yeah to CSA!
I would like to grow the CSA to 60 or more
members and could use help in finding people interested. If you have
people at work or ideas where to promote the CSA let me
know. I can give you extra info papers. I am considering reaching out as far as Massena.
I have one member there who would be willing to help with transport and pick up site.
With minimum wage going up to possibly $9/hr next year we need to expand the retail. I can
grow and sell more wholesale, but it will not pay the extra labor cost.
Thank you for your help and support.
Dulli