January 17, 2007

We have had some serious flooding! In one day we got 12" of rain. A few days later we had 3 or 4 more. And since then we've had 2-5 inches every 10 days it seems. I bet we've had almost 30" since mid October.

This has set us way back. Because the ground is so wet, I can't get in there to build the beds. So, I've had to delay the start of the CSA. I'm aiming for the begining of June at the latest and hopefully it will start before then.

However, as things dry up and I am able to get more growing, I plan to sell what I can at the Seabrook farmer's market on Saturdays. I will send out an email and let everyone know when Little Toad will start being there regularly. In the meantime, check out the organic produce they have as well as local honey, soaps, etc.

In related news, I have decided that rather than fight the wetness, I'm going to embrace it and dig a pond. With the help of my intern, we have started the digging. When we're finished, I'll be able to grow some interesting edible plants which enjoy wet places such as claytonia and water cress. Who knows...I might bring lotus root and tilapia to market! Maybe even cranberries. I am trying to see the flooding as an opprotunity rather than a set back. In addition to providing habitat for water loving plants, frogs (which are important insect eaters for the garden), and koi, I think the pond will help drain the soggy parts of the other half of my field by giving the water some extra room to move into.

January 9, 2008

As some of you know, this has been a rough year. First we had flooding for 9 months (twice our annual rainfall fell...it was unbelievable), then we had to repair all the damage from the floods. Most of our laying flock was killed by a neighbor's dog and I got married. Not that getting married was rough but it was time consuming!

Things are going well now and we're back on track to start the CSA in April. I have been raising the beds to deal with future floods (fortunately, el nino is only every 4 years, give or take): my goal is to be able to survive the flooding of a tropical storm. We have new chickens. We got them through the mail as day old chicks. There are 2 rhode island reds, 2 black anconas, 2 buff minorcas, 2 brown leghorns, 4 americanas (they lay green and blue tinted eggs), and 5 buff orpingtons for meat. Next month we're going to add a few more: 1 buff laced polish (such a beautiful bird), 2 buttercups, 2 cuckoo marans (they lay extra dark brown eggs), and a few others for meat.

We recently put ends on the greenhouse and ran a waterline out there which has been wonderful! I am about to plant some chicken forage, some clover for the insects, and berry bushes. In the greenhouse getting ready for transplant we have various lettuces, various asian greens, chard, parsley, dill, cilantro, spinach, broccolis, and chives.

I am headed to the TOFGA confrence (this year in College Station) the first weekend in February. If you have a chance, come check it out. There are tons of speakers and workshops, organic food for your meals, exhibitors and vendors, news, politics, films, and a silent auction. It's a great time and very educational. Not to mention the networking! Find out more at www.tofga.org