Happenings on the Ranch

Well, the rain has finally stopped (for now) and I’m hoping it will be dry enough by this afternoon to actually get something done outside.  We are really behind in planting because it’s been too wet to get anything in the ground.  I’ll be trying to play catch up on weeding and seeding for as long as the rain holds off, since we’re expecting more rain the rest of this week.  Usually farmers love the rain … right now, I’ve had enough.  It’s a good thing I have a good pair of mud boots!

Thankfully Sunday there was a break in the wind, too.  After the greenhouse collapsed during the massive wind storm we had, Arcenio was quick to get the structure back up.  However the wind wouldn’t cooperate and we hadn’t been able to get the plastic back on.  All the seedlings and flowers were relegated to the garage and the sun porch; less than ideal conditions.  But Sunday the wind was nonexistent and the plastic went back on the greenhouse.  I’m now in the process of putting the tables back up and moving all the plants back into their proper home.  Woohoo!

And I’m happy to say the time has come.  This week starts our 2010 CSA season.  The pick up schedule is as follows:

Wednesday:  Lee’s Summit Farmer’s Market, 8am to noon.  We will be located four spots from the end at the southwest corner of the lot.

Thursday: Belton Farmer’s Market, 4pm to 7pm.  The market has not started yet, but we will be in the parking places where the market is normally held on Loop Rd.  If the weather is nice, we will have our table set up.  If it’s nasty, we’ll be sitting in the back of the truck with your share.

Friday:  On the farm, 4pm to 7pm.  We will either be under the farm stand by the greenhouse or have your shares waiting for you on the porch.  Weave your way through the chickens to the door!

Saturday:  Lee’s Summit Farmer’s Market, 8am to noon.  We will be located three spaces from the end in the northeast corner of the lot.

Of course, those of you that aren’t part of the CSA can still come and see us during those times and check out what else we have to offer.  We’ll have chicken and eggs available at all locations.  We’ll also be at the VA Medical Center Farmer’s Market beginning this week.  The market there runs from 7am to noonish.  Of course, they’re predicting rain on Thursday so bring an umbrella.

We’re looking forward to another successful season full of farm fresh goodies.  Leafy greens are coming in nicely along with green onions and radishes.  Cabbage is strong, strawberries are just about ready and I’m excited to start pulling all this good stuff!

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

As some of you know, we had 70mph winds around here on Friday.  I stood at my bedroom window watching loose items fly across the front of the property and the chickens running for cover.  Unfortunately, the plastic at the base of the greenhouse had not yet been secured.  So, as I watched, the wind blew underneath the plastic, picked up the east side of the greenhouse into the air like a parachute, pulled the supporting poles off their concrete bases and slammed the whole thing down.  The center pole couldn’t handle the violent drop and the whole north section collapsed in on itself.  I was screaming at it the whole time, like my desperate cries of, “No, No, NO!!!” were going to help.

I was really concerned about the destruction and, after the winds died down and the rain went away, I headed out to survey the damage.  The plastic was torn, several wood beams were snapped in half and three sections of the frame were bent beyond repair.  Thankfully we had split the original structure into two halves and intended on putting up two small greenhouses instead of just one.  This meant we had extra parts in the back that hadn’t been used yet.  So, Arcenio and our oldest son, Anthony, worked all weekend to repair the greenhouse.  Everything is back up, for the most part, and we’re waiting for these windy days to subside so we can put the new plastic on.  It’s still a devastating blow and I’m trying not to let it put us behind for the start of the season.

Speaking of seasons, the deadline for paying for your CSA shares for 2010 is fast approaching.  All shares must be paid for in full by May 1st.  We still have spots available so head on over to our CSA page for more info and to download the share agreement!

Despite the wet weather and persistent winds we have managed to get some seeds planted.  Spinach, carrots, radishes, green onions, lettuce, sweet peas, kale, arugula and mustard greens have all gone in and the earliest seedlings are looking great.  We’ve got a newly developed strawberry hill with 50 plants in the ground and the rhubarb bed is coming back beautifully.  Once these winds subside a little bit we’ll be planting beets, turnips, cabbage, and cauliflower.

Everything is turning green on the farm and we have momma geese and turkeys sitting on their eggs.  I love this time of year as it gives a real sense of renewal.  I can’t wait for the first harvest to be able to taste all the wonderful veggies the farm has to offer.  My stomach is growling just thinking of it.

Until next time!

~Karin