Gorgeous, But Not What I'm Looking For

Ben started a few artichokes in the greenhouse last summer.  I think they were Imperial Star.  He had a lot on his plate at the time and had to bear the full responsibility of all farm projects until I arrived in June.  Needless to say, he didn't have quite enough time to nurture and coddle these finicky creatures just so.  Although we never got any chokes out of the process, beautiful blooms developed.  I would definitely grow these plants just for their blooms and foliage (and I've started so many that I'll probably plant some in the front yard for that very reason), but I do hope we get some eating out of them this year.

Artichoke bloom, 2010

We've started Imperial Star, Green Globe, and Purple of Romanga this year.  I hope that out of these three, I can find a variety that suites this region.  We have a nice-sized hoop house that we will put over them (and the eggplants) to keep the insects down (that was a major issue last year) and protect them during the winter.  I will also dig some up and store them in the basement over winter to see if that method works any better.  I have a lot of seedlings to work with, so this is a great opportunity for experimentation.  I found this article helpful, although I did not consult it before embarking on this season's artichoke attempt. 

Artichoke babies, 2011

It's raining today, tomorrow, and the next day.  I'll be limited to indoor and greenhouse activities.  Bummer.  I'd like to start some melons and winter squash in the greenhouse soon (very controversial, I know), but I don't know if I should wait until this gray weather passes.  I want to start them indoors instead of direct-seeding because I think I can make better use of garden space this way.  Also, I think they'll do just fine if I use the Pot Maker.  With the Pot Maker, I can either just put the whole thing in the ground (like a Jiffy Pot), or gently peel away the newspaper without disturbing the roots.  Cabin fever will probably push me to go ahead with it.  I can always plant more if they don't do so well.

By the way, EVERYTHING survived the snow!  I knew there was no reason for a full-on freak-out.

Everything at Once

It's getting busy on Fat Bear Farm.  It seems as though everything is happening at once.  We have a lot of projects that are up and running, and spring has come on in full force.  Here's a just a sample of what's brewing.

Asparagus

Five-hundred asparagus crowns are scheduled for arrival tomorrow.  We ordered them from Walker Brothers.  I'm pleased with their customer service, and the crowns we ordered from them last year were really nice.

The first spear from last year's planting popped up yesterday.

 I love this thing.

Ben took the tractor through last weekend.  He tilled, then used the sub soiler.  I went through with a hoe today and deepened the furrows a bit. 

I hope the crowns arrive early tomorrow because I'm super-ready to plant them.

Chickens

Look at me Mom!

The chicks are doing well.  They're one week old today.  We've named three of them so far.  We now have a Judith (Judy), a Eunice, and an Iris.  I can tell them apart by the patterns on their beaks, and Iris is the runt.

The door just needs a handle.  We'll have to choose and extra-special one.

Their house is almost ready.  Ben still has a few more finishing touches to add before I paint.  The roosts are up, and the nesting boxes are done.  I hope the ladies like it!

Greenhouse

An heirloom tomato

The blueberry whips I started are leafing out.  I'm surprised at their rate of development.

Kitchen Garden

Snap peas, beets, carrots, spinach, kale, lettuce, and arugula are currently growing in the garden.  Here are some highlights:

Pea shoots

 Lettuce
 

The prettiest of all lettuces

One lovely beet

I should have a lot to share with you about the asparagus this week, and stay tuned for an update on the blueberries!

After the Rain

We had the perfect rain.  It was more than a drizzle without ever turning into a downpour, and it lasted almost twenty-four hours.  I took the boys on an extra-long walk this morning to investigate.

It was a beautiful morning for the blueberries.

Some of the pea seeds needed to be put back in their place.  I had planted them an inch deep and pressed them in pretty well because this very thing seems to always happen.   A few of the buggers decided they wanted to work their way up to the top, so to speak.  I showed them who's boss.

I don't know what this is, but it's the first to bloom at Fat Bear Farmhouse.  She's growing just outside of the rock border in one of the front yard gardens.

I think this is an ornamental cherry (there are no other cherry-look-a-likes on the property for to pollinate).  Anyway, we'll find out this spring.  There will probably be lots of surprises this spring.  Because we moved to this property in June, we've yet to see all of spring's bounty.

The daffodils are doing their happy dance.

I had a great time in the greenhouse today.  I decided to plant a few back-ups.  It can get really cold in there at night, even with the heat on .  Everything has been fine so far, but some things are germinating more slowly than I'd like.  Also, if there's a crazy disaster and the heater gives out, I don't want to be without my early tomatoes and peppers.  So I'll be putting today's new seedlings under lights in the grow room (it's our extra bedroom that we also use to ferment beer and everything else that needs a space, like our soon-to-arrive chicks) at home.  Just in case.

I so love my Pot Maker. 

Planting party

 Little salad babies

High technology set-up

We have several piles of poo and compost rotting away at the farm.  This lovely lot is the most pampered, and all our work is paying off.  The compost is finally heating up again!  We've been turning is religiously and watering when necessary.  I think this rain will give it a great boost.

 From left to right: goat poo from the neighbor up the road, chicken poo, and kitchen scraps

  Rain clouds departing

Brand New Pair of Shoes!

And not a moment too soon.  I ordered a pair of green Birki's last week, and they arrived yesterday. 

Yes, I spent almost fifty dollars on rubber shoes, something I never thought I'd do.  But, I have no regrets.  Last summer, I destroyed a great pair of trail shoes after repeatedly weeding the asparagus field and harvesting blueberries.  Those "waterproof" shoes couldn't stand up to the intense morning dew.  The glue melted off of them in a matter of several weeks.  

It's supposed to rain today (50% chance) for the first time in ages.  We had a good amount of snow this winter, but all that moisture is long gone.  We need a good soaking.  It's also supposed to rain tomorrow (70% chance).  So, my Birki's I will wear.  I think they will hold up to the rigors of farm life.  They're just seamless hunks of rubber, I guess.  The best part is that I can slip them off, hose off my feet and slip them right back on without worrying about the moisture.

Since rain is in the forecast, I'll be baking today.  I usually try to get all my baking out of the way when there is no possibility of getting anything done out of doors.  However, when I plan on using the mud oven, I bake on nice days. 

The boys are almost out of treats, so I'll be baking some today.  Here's the recipe:

 Peanut Butter Morsels

1 1/2 cup oat flour (grind old-fashioned oats in a blender)

1 cup brown rice flour (grind brown rice in a blender)

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 Tb. honey

1 egg

1/2 cup water

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

Mix all ingredients

Moisten your hands and form 1" balls of dough

Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and press the center down with your thumb

Bake for 20 mins. or until golden brown (I like to flip them over after the first 10 mins.)

Allow to cool completely and place in a glass jar with lid tightly sealed

These treats stay fresh and crunchy for at least a week if stored properly.  Miles Giles and Thurgood Morsel go crazy for them.  The recipe is easily modified.  I sometimes omit the vanilla and cinnamon and replace the water with some sort of meaty broth.  I also add a little mashed banana or sweet potato sometimes.  Have fun with it!  The dogs will be overjoyed that you baked for them no matter how they turn out.

Update
It's raining!  I just brought the boys inside, and they're having a good nap.  It looks like it will be a very peaceful day.

Miles Giles on the couch (check out that pouty lip)