Happenings on the Ranch

So, finally, the greenhouse was up.  Sure, there was still a lot to do; roll out ground covers, place the stands, build workbenches, etc.  But it was just about functional.

Slowly, bit by bit, we began to get the inside set up.  By this time it was the beginning of our current season.  Perfect timing.  Our house was full of seedlings that had been started everywhere inside – in the basement, the garage, the sun porch.  Our house was a jungle of sprouting plants that were itching for some heat and sun.  I was anxious to get everything moved outside in one spot.

Early spring showed great promise with increasingly mild days and some good sun.  I began to move seedlings out to the greenhouse while resisting the temptation to put anything in the ground.  The days were beautiful but I know spring in Missouri can be tricky.  It often seems like we don’t even have a spring – it just goes from winter, to wet and cold, straight to summer.  This year would be no exception, except for a week or two of nice warm days.

I took advantage of those warm days by moving the sun loving plants into the greenhouse and getting some cool weather seeds into the ground.  There were some days it was so warm I had to open the sides of the greenhouse in order not to choke the little seedlings growing inside.  That would prove to be my downfall.

One spring day, the weather forcast was showing possible thunderstorms and winds moving in so I was quickly relocating baby birds and bunnies to be sure they were safe.  As I turned to head back outside, the wind suddenly began to howl.  It blew so hard so fast the chickens began to run for cover and were lifting off the ground as they ran.  All at once I realized the sides to the greenhouse were still open.  I contemplated making a run for it to secure the plastic until I saw one of our raised bed covers, which are secured by cinder blocks, come flying through the air – cinder block still attached!  I decided I couldn’t chance running to the greenhouse so I stood at our bedroom window just watching.

There were things flying everywhere!  Raised bed covers, chicken water containers, pools for the geese and ducks – bouncing and swirling through the air, taking flight toward the east fence of the farm.  I could hear the pounding of our horses hooves as they ran for the cover of the barn.  I felt like Dorothy as I watched everything fly by.  I was just waiting for a mean ol’ woman on her bike to fly by and threaten to get my dogs (who were now cowering from the storm under our bed).  Then I looked over at the greenhouse and could see the rolled up plastic sides flapping around like crazy.  I watched as the sides and top billowed out and back in again as the wind whipped through the property.

At that point I had my fingers crossed that the wind would die down before causing the plastic on the greenhouse to tear.  I was not prepared for what I saw next.  The wind began blowing even harder and I could almost see it as it swooped under the open sides of the greenhouse.  All at once the entire north side of the structure lifted up off the ground, pulling the poles off their concrete supports and straight up into the air.  It seemed like slow motion as I watched it suspend in the air for what seemed like an eternity, although it was just a few seconds.  And then it came crashing down.  Hard.  The poles landed squarely on the ground and it was just too much for the top center rail to take.  I yelled, “no, No, NO!!” as the center rail collapsed in and the supporting rails bent in over it.  The north half of the greenhouse now lay collapsed in on itself and everything inside.  I stood and watched helplessly as the wind finally began to die down.  I went outside to assess the damage.

Our east fence was lined with everything that had blown across the front of the property.  Bed covers lay broken, their plastic hanging on the fence.  Waterers and pools were lined up like soldiers in formation, clinging to each other for support.  But my focus was on the greenhouse.  Wooden supports were broken, poles were bent beyond repair, the plastic we had worked so hard to get on was torn and everything inside was demolished.  There was nothing I could do but stand there and shake my head, trying to decide whether to call Arcenio or just let him see it when he got home.  I decided not to ruin his day and just let him discover the destruction that afternoon.

The news reported the winds had gotten up to 70mph in our area.  I guess we were lucky the damage wasn’t worse.  Arcenio surveyed the damage when he got home, threw out a few cuss words, went and changed his clothes and got to work helping me clean up the mess.

Within a few days we had the structure back in place but, again, had to wait for the winds to stop in order to replace the plastic.  It would be another three weeks before there was a day with no wind and we could finally complete the greenhouse – again.  Not too many seedlings on that side of the greenhouse were able to be salvaged, so I had to start them all over again.  In the three weeks we waited, there was no break in the rain, either.  So now everything was behind for the season.

We’re making progress now in playing catch up, but we got the plastic on the greenhouse just in time for it to turn scorching hot.  Instead of seedlings, the greenhouse is housing raised beds with cucumbers and peppers along with flowers and the remaining tomato plants we haven’t gotten in the ground yet.  So much for getting a jump on the season.

Now that the structure is back in place and secured, I’m hoping to be able to use it to extend the later part of the season and do some experimental winter growing.  Who knows, if I’m successful we may be able to start a winter CSA with what I can grow.  As long as the wind stays away.

Until next time,

~Karin

Well, actually, they are here!  After returning from a wonderful five days in St. John, Virgin Islands, for my brother’s wedding (fabulous, by the way) we are rested up and ready for the busy season.  We’ve started by butchering 50 heavy chickens for your eating enjoyment.  These beauties are averaging around 4.75 pounds (some lighter, some heavier) and will be available at farmer’s market starting tomorrow.  You can also choose to pick up on the farm.  If you pre-ordered chickens, expect an email from me tonight confirming your order and asking about your preferred pick up time/location.  The price is $3.85 per pound, plus tax.  We’ve also got plenty of eggs available.

The veggies are coming in nicely with all this rain.  Leafy greens are all looking like wonderful green carpets, the cabbage plants are very healthy and the sweet pea plants are growing by leaps and bounds.  Radishes exploded in size over the past week from all the moisture and the green onions are nice and crisp.  And the tomato plants are looking wonderful.  Those of you who’ve been with us a few years know that we often don’t have tomatoes until after the 4th of July.  If the weather keeps up the way it has been, though, we may have the first tomatoes at the beginning of June!  I’m so excited … I’m dying for a fresh, ripe ‘mater.

Now’s the time of year when we begin updating our website with the weekly harvest list.  If you want to get an idea of what we’ll have at our farmer’s market locations, check out our Weekly Harvest page.  This list will typically be updated by Tuesday night and may have items added or removed throughout the week prior to each market day.  I’ll be updating the list right after posting this entry so if you’re planning to come to the Lee’s Summit market this week you’ll know what to expect.  Keep in mind some items are in limited quantity so if your hankering for something specific on the list, get to market early!

Until next time.

~Karin

Wow, has this been a warm spring so far.  This has helped the plants get a real jump on the season … of course, the weeds are enjoying it too.  If our crops grew as quickly as the weeds I’d be one well-fed girl!

The spinach is coming in nicely, along with lettuces, radishes and green onions.  The rhubarb is huge already and some are already starting to turn that beautiful shade of red.  Cabbage is growing strong and it’s almost time to put the tomatoe plants in the ground.  With as nice as the weather has been I’ve been tempted to do it early but don’t want to run the risk of temperatures dropping too low at night.  I’ll probably get them in by the end of the week and have a row cover handy just in case.  The peppers may need to wait another week but I’m hoping to get sweet corn and green bean seeds in the ground in the next day or two.

This season is a stark contrast to the last few years, especially last year which was very cold and wet.  The only thing that delayed planting this year was the excessive amount of rain we had during the first few weeks which made the ground too wet to plant.  The warm sun and cool nights have helped make up for the delay a little bit, though, and we are well on our way to a fantastic season.

The hens are laying beautifully now and we have plenty of eggs available.  We will also be doing our next round of butchering the second week in May and will have around 50 whole chickens ready for your dinner table.  I’ll post when they are ready and you can pick up here on the farm or at farmer’s market.

Speaking of markets, opening day of the Lee’s Summit Farmer’s Market will be this Saturday.  We’re having an opening day celebration starting at 8:00 a.m. with Cowgirl Kate doing balloon animals, singers, the LS Parks & Rec handing out coloring books for the kids and more.  Many vendors will be there with their produce and baked goods.  We will be bringing green onions, radishes, eggs, jams and maybe some baby spinach.  Hope to see you there!

Until next time.  ~Karin