at the homestead, urban plot

What's new on the farm

Posted on by annabel
21
Jun

It’s been a while since my last post and I wanted to share a few pictures from the farm. We are conducting a lot of experiments this year since we are taking the year off from growing for market. One thing I have learned is that taking a year off does not mean we have no work to do….in fact, there is likely more work since we got so far behind this spring and are having to play catch up. When you don’t grow veggies, something else moves in to take root in all that beautiful soil. Weeds are in abundance and have set their roots, spread their seeds and taken over the plot at Lark. We planted a bunch of sunflowers and a bed of carrots. A few weeks ago I decided to clean up 4 beds near the hoop house and plant greens. I should have left the soil for a week or 2 to let the weed seeds germinate, then weed them out and then plant, but I didn’t. And, the results are horrendous….lots of weeds along with the beautiful greens. The greens have also been heavily hit by flea beetles so they are all filled with holes. I may have to just start over with that area.

We are enjoying rhubarb and had a lovely spring crop of asparagus. The herbs are all in full swing and make a lovely addition to almost every meal and drinks. Tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers are off to a great start in the hoop house. More pics of all this to come.

Today, I planted a bed of okra and sweet potatoes. My hope with the latter is that the vines will shade out any new weeds and we’ll also get some sweet potatoes out of the deal. Thanks to Bruce C. for the awesome slips and okra starts he gifted us.

Farm
Not sure what these are. They were here when we got the house and are in full bloom adding brilliant color to the yard.
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Mint
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Flowering sage
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A few volunteer sunflowers in the garlic bed. Don’t have the heart to pull them.
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Onion patch – red, white and shallots
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Volunteer potatoes in the onions and leeks
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Squash in the hugelkultur bed

0 thoughts on “What's new on the farm”

  1. Derek says:

    Really great to hear from you guys although I’m sorry about the beetles and weeds, hopefully the season turns out well and you are already for next year!

    -Derek

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

    • Annabel says:

      Thanks, Derek! We have lots of rhubarb this year, so let me know if you might like to have some. We’re usually at the plot on the weekend. Hope you and the fam are doing well!

  2. Kyle says:

    Been following for a few years. We market 1/8 acre of veges. Just started last year. Its a lot of work and will be working on soil building for a few years before all is well. Enjoying it! We haven’t made but half of what you made the first year but we eat out of it as well. Please keep the post up and I look to small scale “farms” for motivation.
    Thanks!