Spring is finally upon us with the days getting warmer and longer and yes the snow piles are diminishing! Hip, Hip, Hooray! Man that was a long cold winter, but we all survived thanks to all the winter activities that we do to keep us in shape (our men’s over 50 team finished a solid 4th out of four teams in our hockey league).
We started sowing plenty of seeds in the greenhouse for the field. As of right now we have our first two plantings of cabbage seeded. Brussels sprouts, broccoli, tomatoes and all of our peppers are all coming up waiting to be planted in the field. This year with our expansion of our new CSA program we have more vegetables seeded and different varieties to enhance the palates of our customers. Things happen fast and our sowing schedule is always by the calendar. We adjust as the weather does but we try to maintain the schedule laid out a couple of months ago. What we do from now until June dictates what happens from June through October. We have all of our planters prepared for the spring season, the tractors are all shined up ready for the field and the seed in the bag is anxiously waiting to be put in the ground to produce the most delicious produce that one can sink their teeth into. Every gardener out there loves this time of year to start tilling up the soil and getting their hands dirty. Remember there are a few things that we have to remind ourselves:
1. Do not prepare any soil that is wet for seeding. Soil must be moist but not wet. Working up wet soil leads to soil compaction and poor seed contact when you are planting. Multiple issues will occur; poor seed germination, poor root establishment, poor nutrient uptake, poor weed control, poor top no crop, and poor checkbook – you end up wasting a lot of time and money!
2. Start with great seed or great transplants. Buying seed with poor germination rates is very disconcerting. Same with transplants, a healthy transplant will flourish if planted responsibly and taken care of.
3. Take pride in what you are doing. If anything bugs me more is something that is done half____. Rows are straight, seed population is correct and most importantly seed is planted at the right depth. Remember some crops are planted at .5 inch deep; some are 1 inch deep and some 1.5 inches deep, etc. Know what you are seeding and plant at the proper depth.
My mom, being of Irish decent always reminded my dad each spring of this Irish Blessing that was posted in HER kitchen when we were growing up:
“May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
And the rain fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of his hand”
Let’s go out and enjoy the fruits of our labor this year! Cheers!
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