Taking Stock

Summer has finally arrived in Potter County. It's been downright hot the last couple of days. The cool of the morning, just after sunrise, is the perfect time to work in the fields, gardens and high tunnel.
Come, take a walk out to the high tunnel with me before it gets too hot . . .

The very first ripening tomato on a Stupice bush.

These little gems are known as "Sweetie Cherry."

Look closely to see "Ring Of Fire" peppers. They turn red when ripe.

The first green bell pepper – a "King of the North."

Lettuce destined for the Farmers' Market this Friday.

On the way to the high tunnel, you'll pass summer squash plants,  Swiss chard just peeking through the soil, and a planting of soybeans, to be harvested as edamame in late summer.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

The sun's shining today and gentle breezes blow. We've been outside all day – weeding, putting up fence, laying down weed barrier, pruning tomatoes, planting seeds, even mowing the lawn - whew! Tomorrow it's going to rain again so the window of opportunity is small for work like this.
Here are a few pictures of tomatoes in the high tunnel, most of which have been in their raised beds since mid-May. We started a large variety of all-heirloom seed this year and have well over 150 tomato plants in the high tunnel and even more planted outside.

"Sweetie Cherry" Tomatoes

Tomato plants growing on their trellis.

Lettuce for the Farmers' Market ... and for us!

... and in the yard a glorious Summer Lilac has burst into bloom!

Week Two At Market

We had the first of the 2013 new potatoes available for sale at the Farmers' Market on Friday afternoon. These potatoes were grown in the high tunnel and had been planted on a snow March day. We also had a few carrots too. As much as I grumble about it, I really appreciate the benefits of growing things in there!

And looking at this photo, here's an appropriate quotation from one of my favorite bloggers ... "This is National Dirty Fingernail Week. Wear them proudly, and give up the notion that you’ll remember or be able to wear gloves transplanting small sets or pulling tiny weeds. Black is beautiful. "

Farmers' Market Opens Tomorrow

It was the first warm March Sunday when we ventured into the high tunnel to plant a few crops for the opening weeks of the Farmers' Market. I remember that we trudged through snow to get out to the high tunnel and were greeted with welcomed warmth inside those plastic-covered hoops.
On that day we sowed an assortment of potatoes, three varieties of carrots, three varieties of beets, Swiss chard, leaf lettuce and radishes.
In the greenhouse, I had started seedings of leafy head lettuce, spinach, parsley, cilantro and two kinds of basil. Those went into the high tunnel beginning in mid April.
We've been tending these plantings – covering and uncovering, opening and closing the high tunnel, watering, weeding, thinning and picking off bugs.
Tomorrow we'll be among the vendors at the opening day of the Potter County Farmers' Market.
Stop by in downtown Coudersport from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. to pick up some lettuce, beet greens, Swiss chard, parsley, sage, cilantro and rhubarb.
Coming very soon ... carrots, beets, basil, radishes and new baby potatoes. Coming later ... peas, peppers (hot and sweet), lots of varieties of heirloom tomatoes, potatoes, beans, squash, eggplant... the list goes on and on.

Parsley • Sage • Cilantro

Leafy head lettuce – green and red varieties

Potatoes growing in the high tunnel - already blossoming!

I've had little time to blog recently but things are progressing here on the farm as we continue in high gear to get plants and seeds in the ground.
Here are a few photos of things to come ....

Peas planted and trellised by Joe and Jen

Bird Egg Beans soaked overnight and ready to go in the ground. We save seed from year to year.

Rouge De Grenoblouse

This is Rouge  De Grenoblouse. From my years of high school French (thanks to Randall Halter), I know rouge is red but Grenoblouse? Perhaps it's a location?

I planted a half flat of this beautiful lettuce in early March in the greenhouse and then transplanted it into the high tunnel in early April in anticipation of having it ready for the opening of the Farmers' Market in late May. Well, it's ready – and delicious – now!

From the Seeds Of Change catalog: This full-flavored heirloom lettuce has beautiful, thick, puckered green leaves with purplish-red edges that make sweet and succulent salads. Tolerant to both summer heat and heavy fall frosts, it is an outstanding variety for the home garden from spring to fall.

If you're interested in buying some now, call or send me a comment, and I'll pick some for you. We also have a green leafy head lettuce that's ready but it's not quite as photogenic as this beauty.

Morning Has Broken

The morning chores take a lot longer these days. The plant starts in the greenhouse (350+ tomatoes and peppers as yet uncounted along with assorted other vegetables and a lone apple tree) need to be watered, moved from light source to light source and looked after. The high tunnel needs attention too -- should we unzip the ends or raise them? How cold did it get in there last night? Should we uncover the raised beds? The chickens need to be watered and let out.
But there's something about working through the morning chores that pleases me. It's a combination of the glorious light, the rejuvenation of my body from a night's sleep, the smell of the damp earth, the coolness of the air (too cold, sometimes!) and the thought that the whole day is spread out before me.

Sometimes you just need to sing "Oh, What A Beautiful Morning" with Grandpa! (May 2012)

Growing Season

Growing season is well underway on Crandall Hill. In the high tunnel, heads of lettuce, rows of spinach and radishes are growing in preparation for the opening of the Farmers' Market on Friday, May 24. I'm also hoping to have some Swiss chard too.

Swiss Chard overwintered in the high tunnel

Lettuce planted in preparation for May 24 Farmers' Market opening

The rhubarb patch is looking promising too but the roller-coaster weather makes it difficult! The carrots, beets and potatoes planted in late March in the high tunnel are starting to take off though I don't think they'll be ready until mid-June.
In the heated greenhouse space, I have completed the re-potting of the tomatoes and some of the peppers. We have selected a number of new varieties of heirloom tomatoes for the market this summer. Of course, we won't see ripe tomatoes until mid-summer!

Tomatoes in greenhouse on April 11

Tomatoes in greenhouse one week later – April 18

I also have started a beautiful crop of basil, parsley and cilantro. There are eggplants, cabbages and broccoli starts coming along too.
It's a busy time on the farm but the Potter County Farmers' Market growers are taking time out to work together for enhancements to our local market. We're meeting again Sunday. We all appreciate your support as we work to provide wholesome, nutritious, high quality local produce.