Growing GREEN...

With all of the recent rains everything is growing green crazy.   The weeds and grass are out of control.  Corn has been struggling to outpace the weeds but at least it's knee high.   We won't have fresh corn for July 4th, but we should have some by the end of summer.

 Still seeing male flowers on the squash plants and not much spreading.   Keeping our fingers crossed that good weather will speed things up a bit.

We have green tomatoes and green peppers.   More sun-time should see them ripening to red and orange.   I can almost taste that BLT!!!  Of course the beans are supposed to be green and we're starting to see more and more of those.   

The chickens have been enjoying the heat and sunshine.  Sriracha managed to find both a shady and sunny spot for his daily dust bath.

I wish I made note of the person I purchased the quail peeps from at Gilmanor.   The Manchurian Gold variety is really getting attractive.   They are pale palomino ground with dustings of gold feathers along their back and wings.  Looking forward to seeing their offspring.

At SpringFest I purchased some of these cactus flower zinnia.  I wasn't sure if I would like them, but they really are attractive, like Dahlia.   I also purchased some calendula officinalis.  Not sure if these are truly that variety.  They're rather frilly like the French marigolds.   Still pretty and keeping the pests away.

I'm also thrilled with the Hostas I purchased at Spring Fest.   They look so nice next to the pond.   And the lotus is sending up its leaves!  I can't wait to see those first flowers.

Dog Days of Summer Came Early

I don't know why they call it the dog days of summer.  The dogs refuse to stay outside for longer than it takes to do their business and the poor Pyr is muddying his stock tank with frequent dips to cool off.   We've been pulling ticks off them for weeks already. Even the chicks in their brooder barn seem tired of the heat.  The heat lamps are now officially off.  Lightning bugs appeared for the first time last night yet according to the calendar there are three more weeks of Spring.

Still, it is Hot, Hot, Hot...and Humid!   The peppers and tomato plants are loving it and so is the basil.   Yesterday I picked the very first Pinot Noir bell pepper.  It is a new variety we are testing for flavor.  This first pepper is on the small side but it smells sweet.  It should look very pretty in a Seven Layer Mexican Bean Dip salad!    

Basil is a few weeks away from the first harvest for Pesto but I can't wait for that very first taste of (Italian) summer!   Hopefully tomatoes will be ready for the Fourth of July and a big ole Caprese Salad, not to mention the classic BLT!   So hard to be patient when it FEELS like summer.

5-July-2014 South of the James Farmers Market

The South of the James Farmers market started around five or six years ago and rapidly became THE market for Richmond, VA.  Many people from my culinary arts classes, even the Chef, talked about it so we decided it was time to check it out.  As I understand, the vendors begin lining up before the sun has risen, and though the market officially opens at 8:00 a.m., it was already crowded when we arrived at five minutes after.  The weather was perfect, cool and crisp, but not cold.  The location is lovely, the James River Park. 

Tater Dave, a good friend, was our first stop yesterday morning.  He and his wife make wonderful breads.  If you stop at his booth, be sure to ask for their newest product, Portuguese Muffins.  Delicious when lightly toasted and drizzled with melted butter.  They are also great with chutney, fruit butters and jam.

Since another bee colony collapsed this winter, we needed to pick up some honey.  Our next stop was Alfredo’s Honey where we purchased a two pound jar of the Wildflower blend for $22.  Then it was on to Amy’s Garden for a nice bunch of beets.   She had the best selection for both root and greens.  

 Along the way we passed some stunning flower displays.  I was particularly attracted to these bold sunflowers, especially the BIG ones.  From the look of the stems, I suspect they were dyed* though I did not ask.    I prefer not to dye flowers except for lightly sprayed carnations in special arrangements.  

Now, what person of Italian heritage could resist this assortment of veggies?  Not us!  We purchased the finocchio (fennel) and some tomatoes. 

Another vendor had a lovely selection of different color tomatoes.  I couldn’t resist a shot of them glowing in the morning sun like polished jewels.  

 
After a quick stop for some shitakes (I really need to start cultivating these!) it was on to Deer Run for  brats, ground beef and soup bones for stock.  We knew this vendor from marketing at the Goochland Farmers Market.   We love their grass fed beef.

 

 

 Our last stop of the day was Poor Georgie’s.  He has the most delicious baked treats of the kind Grandmas make.  Our selection was the s’mores bar.  Gooey, chocolatey goodness just perfect with the morning coffee!  And sold with a smile!

 

All in all it was a nice morning.  Hopefully we can get a vendor spot for the 2016 season.

 *Dying flowers involves soaking them in dyed water until capillary action takes the dyes up the stem and into the petals.  It can leach into your water and affect other flowers in an arrangement.  It can also dye your hands and any fabrics they may come in contact with.  Specially formulated floral sprays do not cause these problems and only affect the exterior of the petals. 

Official Start Of Summer

The official start of summer is just around the corner and you can tell by the weather today.  Hot, hot, hot and humid.

Remember the corn that was two feet tall on May 19th...well look at it now.  It is already six feet tall and setting ears.

Looks like we might have fresh corn on the cob in time for the 4th.    Corn is probably the only crop that can take 'hot' manure and it sure does help it grow!

There are plenty of other starting to take off.  The tomatoes are setting fruit too and it's so hard to be patient.  I can almost taste that first BLT of the summer...  Hopefully we'll have some of those in time for the holiday as well.   Enjoy the photos from around the farm!

Fresh Berries

Red Okra

Endless Summer Hydrangea

Black Langshan Rooster

Oakleaf Hydrangea blossoms

Hulless Oats Cover Crop

Three Sisters - Floriani dent corn, yellow squash and Violetta beans

Carolina Ruby Sweet Potato slip

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!