Fields of Plenty

May started out imitating the first half of April—cold and wet, and cold and wet. We snagged a warm day, then chilly and windy nights threatened early plantings. Finally, starting the second half of the month—it warmed up! I always feel like a merry-go-round in May—start seeds, transplant, plant, repeat! Cucumber plants started in April started bearing cucumbers on May 15. Tomato plants started in the high tunnel started ripening May 16. Lettuce, basil, arugula, and baby bok choy continue their cycles in the hydroponics house. Zucchini and patty pan squashes are now planted and should start harvest in just a few weeks. The chard in the high tunnel is doing great—we are getting excellent cuts for our CSA shares. The first fruit of the year started as we had hoped, just in time for Mother’s Day. And then it poured rain for the next two days. My obsession with the weather reached new highs, for rain and strawberries are not a great combination. Fortunately, the rain system see...

April started out cold, with crops a little bit behind “normal,” (whenever normal is!), and ended up warming quickly, with crops coming earlier than “normal!” (whenever normal is!) We were able to cut lilacs for the last weekend of April, when we usually see them for the middle to end of May. The fruit trees seemed slow to start blooming and then came on all at once. We love the profusion of blossoms with their delicate fragrance and the promise of a fruit from each blossom. If all the blossoms fruited, it would be far too much weight for the tree, but it is staggering to think about all those blossoms bearing fruit. Some years, nearly every blossom does. By the end of April, we can see the baby peaches, apples, pears, and plums starting their journey from farm to table!  All the leafy greens are doing well, and we are excited to see such beautiful lettuce, baby bok choy, and basil, among others. The basil has done particularly well in the hydro house, and we lo...