High Hopes



We're plodding along here, though today was surprisingly gray and cold. Hopefully our nice spring weather will come back soon. The whole extended family (except for Georgia thank goodness!) fell victim to a NASTY stomach flu so we're still a bit shaky.

We've called the tomato seedlings a loss this year - the cold temps, the fungal diseases, starting the seeds too early...a lesson learned. We're starting new seeds so we'll still have plenty of heirlooms if we're lucky. Bulk starts (I managed to find a couple non-hybrids and even some Rutgers, an heirloom which we were growing this year anyway) from a local nursery will go in the ground too, to make sure we get a decent harvest. The peppers should be ok, and we lost a few eggplants here and there, but they have good, solid roots so the frost damaged leaves are quickly being replaced by new top growth. Everything else is coming along nicely, we'll see how timing works out as we get to market.

Market costs just keep rising, but most of it is for things we need regardless of what route we go with this place - CSA, farmer's markets, or even a farm stnad on the corner. So much paperwork and red tape - it definitely gets frustrating. Permits, one for our farm and one for the town where we'll be selling, market fees, and the biggie, insurance. That's one of the reasons we'd love to get our CSA up and running within the next few years - with cash up front we could actually PAY all these beginning of season expenses! We're keeping the faith though....

We planted some chickpeas tonight - an experiment - and moved three more asparagus, only to spot two more that survived out by the tractor. Some weeding, and then in to work on the farm sign (I have to paint our logo and poly it, but at least the lettering is done). I'd like to plant the Genovese basil in the herb six packs, but the night isn't exactly young anymore. Maybe tonight, maybe tomorrow. I'll check in later!

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Posted: Mon - May 8, 2006 at 10:59 PM        

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