Spring Fest 2014

I really meant to post about this a few weeks back, but somehow time just keeps getting away from me.

For those that don't already know, the Goochland and Powhatan Master Gardeners put on an annual Spring Fest of garden related classes and a fantastic plant sale at the Goochland campus of J.Sargeant Reynolds Community College.   The day is divided into three sessions, each about an hour and a half long with several class choices during each session.  I learned how to make a hypertufa container, how to select the right tomato for my needs and all about hydrangeas.   I always learn something new and meet some great people.  Of course I also purchased quite a few plants; some from private vendors and many more from the students in the college's Ag program.   All in all it was a gorgeous day and I had lots of fun.

This big old cherry tree was in full bloom and every time a breeze came along, the pink petals rained down.  It was beautiful.

 

I'll be making a series of 'Tufa troughs like the one below for growing root crop along our front walk where the half barrels are now.   Can't wait to play!

Of course I went Hosta crazy.  This is a really nice vendor --- PlantSmart   It was a good thing the event has a holding area for all of our purchases while we are in class!

Plenty of Rain and Lots of Green

Now that the rains have ended and the floods receded everything is greening up.

This is a picture of what is normally dry ground in the woods along the Northeast property line.  Definitely an area where we won't be doing any planting!

Of course the plants are all loving the extra moisture and blooming like mad.

The corn planted one month ago is already a foot tall.   Looks like we may have fresh corn on the cob in time for July 4th.   Corn ADORES chicken poop fertilizer!

And I am so happy to finally see the mulberry tree beginning to make fruit.   Can't wait to test some recipes for preserves and maybe even wine!

The raspberries are making fruit too.

Looking forward to a productive summer!

Hot Weather is HERE!

It looks like Central Virginia has gone from winter straight into summer.   Eighty degree days this weekend, but hot or not, it was time to get the field work done.

The corn went in on Thursday while the other vegetable beds were cleared for planting.   This  year we decided to put up fencing that should keep the chickens and (hopefully) deer out of the market gardens.  

Carrots, onions and potatoes were set out in our half barrel system for root crops.  We like to keep edible root crops in sterile soils each year.   Netting is needed over these too or the chickens will harvest the greens long before maturity.

The cover crops have done well keeping the weeds under control.    Can you find the four leafers in these two clusters of clover?

How 'bout now?

The chickens have moved into production gear.  We're getting plenty of eggs for Easter.   $4.00 per dozen for local pickup/delivery.   The quails are just starting to lay.  We should see more of their eggs as the season progresses.

 

And Ashe says HAPPY EASTER!

Tis the Season

For hatching chicks, starting seeds and SNEEZING!  Yup, the trees are mating and sending their pollen everywhere.   A GREAT way to deal with the seasonal allergies without drug is to use local honey.   Make sure it comes from a source within a fifty mile radius of where you spend most of your time.   A teaspoon every day (or even once a week) really does help.  And it's soooooo sweet too.

The hubby finished my new compost tumbler.   It's loaded up and ready to make that rich organic fertilizer!

Some of our new Dominique chicks, now four weeks old.  Those with more white in their barring are likely to be males.  So far it looks like three boys and seven girls.   We'll have to wait and see how they mature.

And Heathcliff's first group of offspring is now almost two weeks old.   They are just starting to get that downy bump where the crest feathers will come in.    So easy to tell the boys from girls with this autosexing breed.  Four males and seven females.  Can you pick out the boys?  There are also four black Langshan youngsters in the brooder too.

Could it finally be SPRING?!

Hopefully we've seen the last of the snow!   The spare bedroom is full of chick brooders.  While it's fun to have them close at hand to watch them grow, it's hot as Hades with the heat lamps on.  And now that they are feathering out, the peep dust is everywhere!

For those that still don't believe dinosaurs could be related to chickens I offer this photo as Exhibit A...what do you think?   Mini T-rex?

End of September

This is it, the last day of September.   Pumpkins, sweet potatoes and the last of the tomatoes have been harvested.  The okra is still chugging along even though we have harvested enough seed pods to supply three farms!   Green manures have been seeded and the garden is ready to settle in for its winter rest.   Next year we hope to continue the harvest with winter crops.

 

Our Euskal Oiloak breeding pen is going well.  We have a dozen eggs sitting in the incubator with more on the way.   The Crested Cream Legbar cockerel we purchased in July is doing well too.   I can't wait until the Spring to see how he finishes out and what this group will produce.   We've heard rumors that Greenfire has imported some Jill Reese legbars from the UK and that they have cleared quarantine.  Hopefully we can add some of these chickens in 2014 or 2015.

 

Heathcliff -- 10 week old Crested Cream Legbar cockerel

And finally, after much research, we have ordered 20 rose comb Rhode Island Red chicks from Gary Underwood for Spring delivery and are on a waiting list for 18 White Dorking chicks from Yellow House Farm.   It is going to be a very busy spring!

Wine Day

Yesterday we took a little break from farm chores to visit two wineries and one cidery.

Our first stop was Pippin Hill Farm Winery located off of Route 29 in Nelson County, Virginia.   According to their website they have been rated one of the best locations for a wedding and we could easily see why.  Someone with an eye for a view designed this place.  The Blue Ridge was at its glorious best, the tasting room was a stylish blend of rustic and modern.   We didn't get a chance to eat at their restaurant, but the food must be delicious - it was already busy at 11:30 on a Sunday morning!

From the parking lot, a view of the vines and Blue Ridge

Lantern lit path with a view of the Blue Ridge

Our next stop was right down the road at The Albemarle Ciderworks.  This was our first tasting visit to a cidery and the staff made us feel right at home.   Albemarle Ciderworks specializes in a dryer style of hard cider and we found that we prefer a sweeter style - but that did not mean we didn't find anything good.  While John preferred the Ragged Mountain blend and I preferred Jupiter's Legacy blend, we both agreed that Pomme Mary was our favorite.  I also have to add a note here about winery glasses.  We've been to so many wineries and wine festivals over the years that we no longer purchase those souvenir glasses, BUT, the Ciderworks uses adorable little pilsner style glasses that were traditionally used with cider.   I couldn't resist purchasing a pair.

If you haven't visited the world of hard ciders, we highly recommend a tour of the Virginia Cideries.  Visit Cider Week for upcoming events.

Cider Apples

Apple Trees ready for picking - love this ladder!

Something about apple cider really gets the palate ready for a meal.   After we finished chatting with the great staff at cidery, we made a quick trip into Charlottesville for lunch.    It was crazy crowded on The Mall but we finally settled on The Nook, a diner style restaurant with simple but delicious fare.

For those who have never been to Charlottesville, make a visit to The Mall one of your must do items.  The Mall is two historic streets that have been paved over in brick and completely closed to vehicular traffic.   Pull up a chair in one of the many seating areas, order a cup of joe and enjoy watching a wide variety of people.   With the University of Virginia so close by, you are almost guaranteed to encounter at least one Fine Arts student.  During our visit it was a trio of musicians.

The Mall

Replete from our hearty fare, we headed up into the mountains for a visit to Glass House Winery.   It was well worth the long winding drive.   If you love art, this is the place to go.   The water garden in front of the tasting room is full of unique sculptures and glass tiled mosaics.  In fact, the entire place is full of glass art tucked into unexpected little corners.   They also have art from local artisans available for purchase.    Entering the glass house is like entering an exotic little piece of paradise --- accompanied by wine and chocolate!  A perfect haven on dreary winter days.

Glass House also had some of the lovely uncommon wines we prefer - Traminette, Viognier and a DELICIOUS chocolate infused red dessert wine.   The owner's gourmet chocolates are a perfect compliment to the wines.  YUM!    And yes, we did pick up a dozen chocolates  ;)

Glass House vines

The Glass House tasting room --- busy, busy, busy!

All in all, it was a great day of beautiful Blue Ridge weather!   And here's our haul...

from L - R: Pomme Mary cider, Signora, Ancora Meglio (2), C-Villian