"goin on" goin on... (updated below)

I am continually amazed at how much can be accomplished over the course of one workday, let alone from waking to sleep...

Friday was ALL about harvesting for our first Saturday share pick-up at the farm.

It was an EARLY one for all.
4:30am looks something like this.



When 5:30 hit, we wasted no time getting all the necessary tools (knives, whetstone, harvest bins, tally sheet) for our day in W1. Tools collected, we headed down to the field to see what was ready to be gathered.
Our focus ended up on Spinach. Right time, right size, right taste. All told we harvested about 160 lbs. That's quite a bit of spinach.
Lucky for us, our Friday volunteers (Nancy, Johanna and Judy) showed up mid-morning to help make quick work of Radishes, Turnips and Tatsoi. I got to "mow down" some Red Mustard Greens myself. Note to self: Mustard Greens = Amazing









The sun stared down at us rather fiercly, which made our break that much more enjoyable/necessary (I like these pics):









-----continued------

We ended our "workday" around 2pm, but as you may have guessed by now, the work usually continues.

I was eager to do the final soil prep on our 3 Sisters field so we could get the corn in the ground. "Knee high by the 4th of July," you know...
The chisel plow was up first, but yielded a none-too-spectacular result.
The previously plowed/rototilled sod seemed to be too compacted/dry. I made an attempt in 4 wheel drive, but didn't want to take the chance of breaking a tyne on the plow. So, I set the plow to a comfortable depth and made my way through.
Afterward I de-rocked the field (1 front-loader bucket full) and rototilled a final time.

Huzzah!!



By this time E had joined me and began gathering seedlings, compost, tools, etc. as we didn't feel like waiting to plant. In the meantime, I dove head first into the creation of the path that will run through the field.
I wanted 2 things out of the path:
1. No angles.
2. When the corn is high enough you shouldn't be able to see out either entrance when standing in the middle.

So, this is what I came up with.



Closer look (with soil tamped in prep for wood chips)





I am happy with the results and can't wait to get the woodchips down.

E and I then planted a few dozen Hopi Blue Corn seedlings at 3' intervals. We dug a hole for each about 8" deep and mixed a little compost in at the bottom. Placed the seedling and brought dirt back around.





Closed up and satisfied with day/week, I hit my bed for some much needed rest... Saturday would be the first "Saturday member pick-up" at the farm. Nice.

-Saturday-

The day started @ 7 as the first members would arrive @ 8.
Not a whole lotta prep as we had taken care of most the previous day.
Weigh produce to see what we have and how much each member can take.
Set up wonderfully fresh greens/roots on stands, write up our share signs and let the chips fall...







I had quite a good time meeting/talking to several of the members. Thanks again for being an active part of sustainable agriculture. We appreciate it.

All was put away by 11:30 and I made a mad dash to the train station for a whirlwind 24 hour trip to the city.

-Wonderful time...-

Arrived back at the farm around 11pm Sunday night and went directly to bed. zzzzzzzz.

----Monday----
Morning.
This on April 3rd...



This yesterday...



(....yeah....)

D & I spent the morning harvesting in W1 (so much time in W1...) while E rototilled A, B and F in prep for this/next week's planting of winter squash and melons.
Harvesting was rather frustrating. I could not, for the life of me, get into a rhythm that seemed to carry me fast enough. Fumbling hands for some reason.

Actually took this pic before harvesting. Funny, that.



We made our way through Lettuce Mix (cleared our 1st half bed. kinda sad),



Swiss Chard (beautiful colors. really. cartoonish) and Red Russian Kale.

Right before lunch we direct seeded summer squash and cucumbers in B 2 & 3.
4" & 6" spacing to be thinned to 1'.

The afternoon had us laying drip tape for both beds. Was feeling a bit better by this point as the sun worked its magic on my mood...

Spent the last hour of work (plus 2.5 more) mowing/weedwacking to beautify for Tuesday's member pick-up. Also, pounded soil in the path through the 3 Sisters field.

Closed up greenhouse n chickens and called it...

----Tuesday----

Early morning. Straight to the field. Harvesting.

Spinach, Arugula, Turnips (enjoy washing these guys), Mustard Green (btw, 1.5 cups of these greens by themselves has your entire daily dose of Vitamins A & C), Golden Frill (spicy n good), Tatsoi, Broccoli Raab (just a lil bit).

Regulators, mount up...



Back to the barn for distribution prep. The shares for our remote drop-offs were up first.

Thanks to Johanna and Pam for their help.



Well-oiled machine...



Before lunch I jumped on the New Holland and leveled some rye in B through E that was starting to go to seed. Once again... I enjoy mowing.
After an extended lunch we packed up the van and E took off for the city. I helped D at his house for a spell and came back to ready for the Tuesday pick up.

Hmmm. Pics might be good now.









Another chance to meet more members. Good stuff. Packed up by 6:30. Day was done.

Ironically, my free evening has been spent playing "catch-up" here.

Happy that I seem to have remembered it all...

By the way, we have 9 more chicks!! More on them tomorrow.

Until then, sleep.

D.I.G.