The Epitome of Recycling

I think we have officially topped our recycling efforts. Months ago (pre-snow), I noticed our neighbor had dismantled part of a 700 foot cyclone fence, complete with barbed wire running along the top. I thought it was perfect! Yes, I have managed to see the beauty in cyclone fencing and barbed wire. You see, we have been counting the deer and turkeys that graze in our farm patch. The highest number of deer we have seen is 13...at one time. So although you may think three strands of barbed wire is overkill, we don't think so. I feel a great responsibility to our CSA members and that means protecting our crop at all costs. In this case, it means dismantling the fence by hand, performing precision surgery with Papa (aka using a chainsaw to cut a giant grapevine from the wires), and rolling up 2100 feet of barbed wire. After two long days and some serious help from the Durick boys, the fence is almost down. We need some heavy machinery to take out the rest. If all goes as planned, this weekend we (and by we I mean Dan) can finish getting it down AND putting it back up. Just to make sure we get an early start, today we started planting in the little garden, which is already fenced in. I will keep everybody updated on the progress. Hopefully, my next post will show our new fence.

March Happenings

March is here and we are getting very anxious to get things started on the farm. We are wrapping up our winter projects and getting ready for planting. Our greenhouse shelves are full and our first batch of plants are ready to be up-potted. We started our nasturtiums very early so we could be sure to have some edible flowers ready for our lettuce mix but they are busting out of their pots. They germinated so well that our CSA members are sure to have a potted nasturtium this spring. Mom and I placed the corner posts of our new garden spot today so that we will be ready to put up our fence and where to start working the ground. We had to downsize the plot a tiny bit, which means I have to tweak our crop rotation and there won't be as much spaces between the beds, but there is still plenty of room for all of our vegetables. The Iowa State extension soil tester is giving us specific recommendations for fertilization and I feel so lucky to have such a great resource at my fingertips. Finally, Holden is walking and although the fence is primarily to keep the deer out, I am glad to have it keep Holden in...he is pretty adept at walking already. It looks like we are going to have a wet March and although we are so anxious to get going our wise farmer Dan told me I can't rush nature. So true.

Spring is in the Air...and in the Greenhouse.

Although there is still feet of snow on the ground, I think spring is finally making its way back to us. There have been three consecutive days of sun and over freezing weather. Every animal on the farm feels the change. The chickens are frantically taking baths and searching for bugs in the sides of the hill untouched by snow, the ducks are flying around the property and filtering the water of every slushy puddle they can find. Even Jessica and Hambone, our resident pigs, seem to have worse manners than usual. Because our greenhouse did not get erected this fall, the picture windows in front of our balcony have seedlings spread out before them. Every time I check them I am am reminded that I have more in common with plants than I previously thought...after a period of dormancy we are drawn toward the sun and it changes our position (or disposition) almost immediately. Amazing.