
I think I speak for everyone when I say to spring, "Happy to have you and the beautiful produce that you bring".
But boy did it come on strong, with some hot days and high humidity. Then to drop back down to sweater worthy temperatures. Just make your mind up already and give us some consistent weather (warm please)!
We've all noticed the drastic change in temperatures, having our (hopefully) last frost on May 22. This is a tricky time for us growers- you have to watch the forecast closely. Had we planted vegetables such as our organic tomatoes, cucumbers or zucchinis outside before the frost we would have had to cover them all with cloth, or they would have been damaged. Good planning is crucial in vegetable farming.
But not all weather is bad. We recently had a big rainfall and after weeks of dry weather I didn't mind at all getting rained on walking to my car. We love when our vegetables get showered on and we don't have to use irrigation. Our water comes from the Egbert Creek, which runs to the Nottawasaga River, and we like to take as little as possible.
What's available and what's coming soon?
Besides our green and white asparagus that we've been enjoying over the past few weeks, we just harvested the first small bunch of broccoli florets this spring. I used to pick and eat broccoli at the beginning of every walk last season. I continue to be pleasantly surprised by its sweetness and flavour!
Our first seeding of organic Mixed Lettuce, Baby Arugula and Asian Mustard Greens (or Hot' n Spicy Salad Blend) have been harvested this week from the field. Thank you rain! :)
In a few weeks we'll get to taste Baby Spinach, Breakfast and Easter Egg Radish, Baby White Turnips, Cucumbers and - wait for it - beautiful Squash Blossoms! If you aren't convinced that some flowers are meant for eating please read and try these various mouthwatering squash blossom recipes!What organic vegetables are we planting now?
Sweet Corn!! We're transplanting our corn into Field 12 (I had to drive the truck over to take this picture, it is quite the walk from the main building - or what we call the "shed")
What else is happening?
And there's more!
Of course there's more! I could probably post another 50 photos of happenings around the farm: Chrystal and Megan transplanting edible flowers in Field 1 (ok I did post this picture), the new juliette tomatoes in Field 12, the guys preparing beds for the seeding of organic fall produce, and of course the everyday harvest, washing and packing. Phew!! I'm sure you get the point. This time of year is a busy one for us farmers. And we love it! :)
-Cat