Calendula time
December 13, 2020
And as is the way of all things, calendula time is over And yet, there are all those seeds
Category: Drying
The Corn You Planted In May
November 14, 2020
Remember those sweet corn plants you planted in May? How the leaves stretched out in JuneSo fast, you could almost see them growing And they were so majestic in July Then, August, worrying about the raccoonsand everyone else who loves sweet corn And how you cheered on those plantsto help them get over the finish … More The Corn You Planted In May
On The Cusp Of Garlic
October 25, 2020
On the left is last year’s garlic field. Harvested and incorporated. The straw mulch is on its way to become soil organic matter. On the right is next year’s garlic field. Ready to plant except for one thing. It’s been raining. and the ground is wet. Now is the waiting for a run of dry … More On The Cusp Of Garlic
May we all be like Calendula
October 16, 2020
May we all be like Calendula Vibrant and green After the frosts After the drought and the unending heat After the whipping winds After a season of vicissitudes After two weeks of hard harvest providing bins full of seed And not only vibrant and green But blooming bright orange petals Against a brown and dying … More May we all be like Calendula
A Watched Bean DOES Dry Down!
October 7, 2020
It turns out a watched bean does dry down! And now we have a greenhouse full crinkly dry bean plants covered in crisp pods ready to thresh. I’m appreciative for what a drive plants have to get their seeds to maturity. And grateful for the abundance they provide. It helps buffer out erratic autumns and … More A Watched Bean DOES Dry Down!
Does A Watched Bean Dry Down?
September 28, 2020
They say a watched pot never boils. How about a watched bean? Does it dry down? About 10 days ago, just before that series of frosts, I pulled in some tender pole beans plants. Before I started the job I had felt quite a bit of trepidation. It’s a lot of work to bring in … More Does A Watched Bean Dry Down?
Autumn Equinox
September 23, 2020
Did you notice that yesterday the day was as long as the night.(Or it might have been that the night was as long as the day.) And today, the darkness is just a little bit longer than the daylight. I can feel a change in my body and see the change in the field.I bet … More Autumn Equinox
Frost Warning
September 17, 2020
When the forecast changes its mindAnd decides that it is tired of balmy eveningsAnd why don’t we have some freezing temperatures this weekend? To the field we go!To cut whole plants that are almost matureTo drop them on tarps and roll them upFor easy transportation to the greenhouse where they won’t freeze This is the … More Frost Warning
Two ways to harvest lettuce for seed
September 2, 2020
There are two things you can do with a lettuce seed crop that is covered in mature seeds decorated with little fluffies: #1. Come in with a bin, or bucket, or paper bag. Lean the plant into the container and shake the the plant to collect all the ripe seed. Next week, same time, come … More Two ways to harvest lettuce for seed
Seed will tell you when it’s ready
August 28, 2020
Farmers who’ve never saved seed worry a lot about doing the wrong thing. But it’s easier than you think. Just listen to the seed. When seed wants to be harvested, seed will tell you. In this picture, you have strawflowers at every stage of life: fresh buds , in full bloom, a bit past perfect … More Seed will tell you when it’s ready