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, 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

For those of you following the greenhouse saga, we STILL haven’t been able to get the plastic back on after making repairs from the wind storm.  The wind won’t quit and if there’s no wind, there’s a ton of rain instead.  Many of the seedlings that haven’t made it into the ground yet have been relegated to the garage under lights.  Believe me, the plants are begging to be out in the sun.  Unfortunately I can’t just lay them all out in the front because the chickens and ducks would decide it was a buffet laid out just for them!  Hopefully the weather will cooperate with us sometime soon just long enough to get the work finished.

The hens are laying up a storm right now. The picture is one I took this morning of the 50+ eggs we’ve collected in the last couple of days.  We have some younger girls that haven’t even started laying yet so I’m hoping this year we will have enough eggs for everyone.  We just never seem to be able to keep up with the demand for these fantastic tasting beauties.

Over 50 eggs collected in the last few days. Yummy!

For those of you waiting for chicken, we are planning our butchering for Sunday, May 9th.  We will be out of town for about six days prior to that, so we won’t be at the Lee’s Summit market on the 5th or 8th.  If you’ve ordered chicken, we’ll send you an email when they’re ready.  For those of you who haven’t ordered, we’ll be bringing some with us to market on the 12th in Lee’s Summit.  These are going to be a little bigger than we originally anticipated and many will be close to 5 pounds.  No worries, they won’t be tough just nice and plump!

On another note, if you’re on Facebook we’ve just created a Facebook page for the farm.  Keep up with quick statuses and frequent picture uploads by going to the profile and clicking the ‘Like’ button.  We’ll also post events on the profile, too.

Until next time!

~Karin