BayBranch

backyard urban farming ~ lakewood, oh

Another compost idea November 21, 2009

Filed under: compost — jojobickle @ 10:30 am
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Last weekend we built a 2-bin compost out of pallets. The pallets came from Spink’s workplace. We built this because we had outgrown our small 3-bin system that we threw together last year and because we have a lot more food scraps to compost (also from Spink’s work). It is fairly easy to build. We placed the pallets on end and used fence posts as anchors. The pallets are secured to the fence posts with wire. We will be closing off each opening with another pallet. The open end allows for easy dumping and turning. We are using leaf mulch as our carbon source. Will post about the chipper/shredder for chopping up leaves for this purpose in a future post.

2-bin compost - notice all the veggie scraps on right (all from Spink's office cafeteria)

Below is a picture of the straw bale compost that is at the plot. Read more about this method. It’s come to our attention that some readers are actually using this method and have experienced good results so far…..awesome!

Straw bale compost

 

Farm Planning November 20, 2009

Filed under: at the homestead, urban plot — jojobickle @ 11:57 am
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What’s up at the farm? Well, we have been in planning mode with one night a week devoted to planning what to plant, when to plant, how much to plant and where to sell. It’s pretty exciting and the initial planning session outlined our primary goal of being able to grow to sell next season. Planning is also helping us prioritize what we need to do. Below is what we have accomplished to date:

  1. Measure planting area: the plot is 40′ x 120′ or 4800 sq. ft. However, after accounting for the edges, compost, water source, and space between rows, the area left for planting is only about 2700 sq. ft. A quick plot out in visio shows that we can put in about 34 – 25×2” beds.
  2. Determine what to plant: We are using the SPIN guides to determine best crops for planting. Lots of work to still be done on this part of the planning process. Will post more when we have some idea of what we are doing.
  3. Figure out planting schedule: when do we plant, how long until harvest, and crop rotation schedule – will have to post more on this when we have something to share.
  4. Find markets: We have reached out to local farmers market leaders, including those at LEAF, Tremont Farmers Market, and Kamm’s Corners Farmers Market. We have also heard rumors about a new farmers market in Lakewood and are trying to get more information about that as well. The plan is to find out if they are accepting new vendors and what the process is to become a vendor. We are also attending a session hosted by City Fresh to learn if there is an opportunity for us to plant and sell something to them.

More to come soon!

 

Bertha – on the road November 11, 2009

Filed under: in the dirt, tools — jojobickle @ 9:29 pm
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In an attempt to capitalize on our new tractor and help other urban growers get started, we did another backyard project. Read about the results below.

Below is a brief video of the Grillo Tractor with Berta Rotary Plow attachment used on a backyard in Northeast Ohio. The yard had several large roots from trees that had been previously taken down and the stumps ground. The owner of the property had manually tried to work the soil and had added several amendments to it. The biggest challenge was the roots and the clay in the soil.

Total time: ~2.5 hours
Sq. footage plowed: 500 sq. ft. and a small section on the side of the house (about 150 sq. ft.)

before

Before Bertha - the trench is the first pass

mid progress

Halfway through the process

finished product

The completed project - 20' x 25' ready for planting

 

saving seeds November 8, 2009

Filed under: at the homestead, in the kitchen — jojobickle @ 8:34 pm
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A few months ago, I noticed some of the arugula in our raised bed had gone to seed. I cut the plants with seed pods and put them in a paper bag to dry. Today, I found them in the cupboard and decided to see what they looked like. The pods and the stems were completely dry and the seeds came free easily by gently separating the pods. I harvested a bunch of seeds and plan to plant some in the basement this week. I am pretty confident that they will germinate since some arugula plants emerged in the raised bed where none had been planted – I think these came from some of the leftover seed pods. Will make a post about the basement arugula, which I hope to put outside (in our mini greenhouse) once established.

arugula seeds

Harvesting arugula seeds from dried seed pods

Did the same with some dried cilantro seeds (coriander).

coriander

Coriander seeds

 

fire food and drink – our new favorite on the east side November 3, 2009

Filed under: eating out — jojobickle @ 7:54 pm
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After attending a 2008 party catered by Doug Katz of Fire Food & Drink, we finally made it to his restaurant. Fire, aptly named for its wood fired pizza oven and tandoor, is a real treat and is now our new favorite on the other side of town. As often as possible, we try to sit at the chef’s table to get a bird’s eye view of the kitchen, which also helps us decide what looks good….plus we get to talk to the chef and get invited into the kitchen…..well, actually, that never happens, but it happened last night when we were eying up the fish and steaks being put in the tandoor. Chef Katz asked if we wanted to see it, so we went behind the counter and took a peek. Very cool……and I don’t know how those guys handle the heat in the kitchen – it’s HOT back there!

fire menu

The meal was fantastic; everything was cooked to perfection and purchased locally, whenever possible. Here’s what we ordered:

Butternut squash soup
Local greens salad
Duck
Steelhead
Homemade choc chip coffee ice cream

Super tasty. 4/4 forks

fire apps

Soup and salad apps

tandoor

Tandoor with whole skewered fish cooking inside

 

Eating with the seasons November 2, 2009

Filed under: at the homestead, in the kitchen — jojobickle @ 9:32 pm
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Orange is the color for fall….food, that is. With all the squash that’s coming from the garden and is available at the farmer’s market, it’s easy to make a colorful fall meal.

This year we bought a pumpkin, but never got around to carving it. This is a great link to how to prepare a pumpkin for cooking. Usually, we just carve it, taking out the seeds for roasting. This year, I’m using the whole thing. Never been a big fan of pumpkin, but a friend once made a pumpkin roll that’s to die for, so I asked her for the recipe. Here’s how to make it.

Pumpkin Roll Recipe
Recipe credit: Signe Anderson

3 eggs
2/3 cup pumpkin
1 c. granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
3/4 cup flour
1/3 cup chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)

  1. Grease a 10 x 15 cookie sheet and line with wax paper.
  2. Beat eggs and then add pumpkin, granulated sugar, vanilla
  3. Mix all dry ingredients and then fold them into the egg mixture
  4. Pour batter into wax-paper lined cookie sheet and sprinkle with chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)
  5. Bake @ 375 degrees for 15 minutes
  6. Sprinkle powdered sugar on tea towel and turn cake onto towel. Peel off wax paper. Roll cake into towel and cool in refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

Filling

8 oz. cream cheese
3/4 tsp. vanilla
2 Tbsp soft butter
1 c powdered sugar.

Whip ingredients with beater until smooth. Unroll cake. Spread filling over entire cake and re-roll.

Pumpkin roll - yummy!

Pumpkin roll

Chill at least 2 hours before cutting. Yummy!

Butternut Squash Soup

1 butternut squash, peeled and cut into chunks
1 onion chopped
3 cloves garlic crushed
1 apple
bit of grated ginger
chicken or veggie stock
salt and pepper
1/2 c. cream or whole milk

  1. Saute onion and garlic in butter
  2. Add squash, apple and enough stock to cover. Season with salt, pepper and a bit of ginger. Bring to boil and then simmer for 15 minutes or until squash is soft
  3. Blend with hand blender and then stir in cream. Serve warm. For added treat top with bacon or fried prosciutto.

No soup for you! (picture that is)

 

Going local November 1, 2009

Filed under: on the road — jojobickle @ 6:09 pm
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Yesterday was a great day! We met a local (she lives on our street!) urban farmer who specializes in growing herbs in her backyard – Basil and Beyond, owned and operated by Cindy Bischof-Steinbrick. This happens to be the first urban farm in Lakewood. It was a treat to talk with her and learn about her first year, plans for growth, and potential to collaborate in the future. She was a guest vendor at LEAF night about 4 times this past year and has dried herbs at Green Smart Gifts.

Our next stop was Lyndhurst, where we met up with a local coffee roaster (Crooked River Coffee) who is interested in the Berta rotary plow service. He has a great spot for a backyard garden and has already done a bit of the work, including feeding the soil with coffee chaff (he gave us a bag and I have done some reading on this fabulous additive – great for tomatoes, adds nitrogen, and wards off slugs and snails, it can also be added to your compost pile). Such a treat to meet people with similar values!

The last farm stop of the day was Bruce Cormack’s Market Garden in Mentor. Bruce has been growing food for 20 years and was one of the original farmers at the North Union Farmer’s Market and still sells at the Shaker Square market. That resume and his pictures indicate we have much to learn from him….and we were not disappointed. His advice, time and tour were extremely valuable to us. We learned of a local source for garlic (Charlie’s Gourmet Garlic in Hudson). He taught us best practices for using soil blocks, showed us a nifty tool for planting lettuce seeds (will post a pic when we make one), and showed us his operation. It is awesome! His advice to us is to find a few acres of land that has quality soil – it’s all about the soil. His soil is amazing. He sits on sandy loam that is easy to work and it’s only about 15 feet to the water table. He talked with us about his cover crops, drip irrigation system, hoop house, and tools (wheel hoe is now at the top of our list). Below are a few pics.

We topped the day off with dinner at fire (post to follow), a fitting end to the day.

greenhouse

Cypress and glass greenhouse with hot water tank and pump

Repurposed truck cab serves as chicken coop

Re-purposed truck cab serves as chicken coop

seeder

Planet Jr. ... Classic!

bee hive

Bee hive

 

Garlic – 2 weeks after planting October 26, 2009

Filed under: urban plot — jojobickle @ 5:57 pm
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The garlic is poking its beautiful head through and smack in the middle of the holes in the black landscape fabric…..yeah! Click here to read how we planted a couple of weeks ago.

garlic single

A single bulb starting to grow

garlic many

You can see the start of the bulbs in many cells.

 

Vote No on Ohio Issue 2 October 24, 2009

Filed under: in the dirt — Spink Bickle @ 9:33 am
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In the upcoming 2009 November election here in Ohio, we will be voting on an issue relating to the care and welfare of livestock animals. The actual ballot language can be found at The Ohio Ballot Board, Issue 2. It is not long; it is worth reading. And here is a nice unbiased breakdown of the bill.

There are many articles and blogs posts already written. I found David N. Cassuto blog post at Animal Blawg to mirror my thoughts.

I dislike the idea of more government and bureaucracy  involved with our food production. Mainly because, much like the USDA, this board will be made up of large producers and they will do little to actually help animal welfare, food safety or family farms.

Popa with milking cansPersonally, one of my biggest beefs with this proposal is the use, or misuse of the term family farm. In 2004 the USDA stated that 98% of all farms in the United States are family farms. I guess my idea of what a family farm is needs to change. Here in this article from the Columbus Dispatch, Jim Heimerl calls himself a family farmer, but at 2,500 acres and producing 100,000 pigs per year. Jim, you may have a family and you may have a farm, but that’s no family farm in my mind. I know a number of family farmers here in Ohio who are farming fewer than 100 acres (I’d like to think of myself as one … maybe next year). I’ve been to their farms and seen how they raise their animals. Small family farmers raise their animals using sustainable practices because it is more economical.

This is my grandpa. He was a family farmer, so was my other grandpa, and all my uncles from my mom’s side of the family. Don’t for a second be fooled by the language in this issue regarding family farmers.

 

SPIN Farming – Urban Growth October 20, 2009

Filed under: on the road, urban plot — jojobickle @ 6:49 pm
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We recently had the opportunity to try out our plow at Urban Growth Farms, our friends’ farm in Ohio City. They have got the SPIN farming method down. Take a look at their sweet beds! When we were there, they were getting their garlic in the ground.

2'x25' beds per SPIN guides

Look at how neat those rows are! 2'x25' beds per SPIN guides

Peter and Virginia planting garlic. They have about 12 beds worth to plant.

Peter and Virginia planting garlic. They have about 12 beds worth to plant.

Another set of beds that look awesome!

Another set of beds that look awesome!