PLOWING OUR WAY THROUGH.
Yesterday Hannah and I finished a massive project, even if it looks amusingly small. We plowed enough area for our potatoes and onions which we'll likely plant some time late next week (weather permitting). When I say we plowed, however, I don't mean that we got out the tractor, put on the plow implement and tore through the soil. Hannah and I flipped the dirt by hand, with the help of a small broad fork and shovel. I've never liked plowing, and especially using tractors - it feels too impersonal - so this has been an exciting alternative. The broad fork is a clever tool that, by slamming its five tines into the ground and leaning all of your weight on the two handles, you can loosen the soil enough to slip a shovel underneath. Once the soil was propped on the shovel, we would flip it by hand.Is this insane? Almost definitely. Will we be able to do our entire garden this way? Probably not. But will it make good potatoes and onions? Let's just say that if it doesn't, we had fun trying. It's a special part of the job, being this involved with the growing process, and we're happy to take on a little extra labor in order to know our land and vegetables are that much better. Yes, we are epically sore today, but in all the best ways. A lot of conventional farmers will get into air conditioned tractors, turn on the radio and go to work. When they're done plowing, they'll seed from the tractor, harvest from the tractor and barely get dirty. For us, what we do is not work: farming is a lifestyle for curious people, not a job. Plowing the dirt by hand is a history lesson, a biology class, a study of geology, a workout and a bad tan all wrapped up into one. We're moving and examining every inch (ok, most inches) of the dirt, pulling out bits of arrowheads and busting open geodes; unearthing ants nests and earth worms and toads––it often feels like our job is to simply remain kids and dig in the dirt. Fine by us. It was hard, it took two days, but we had a great time––your potatoes should tell you all about it.- Jesse.
THE COLD FRAME SOLUTION.
Since we have to start building a greenhouse again, and since we don't really have TIME to start building a greenhouse again...Jesse and I have settled on a temporary fix. The main reason for having a greenhouse this early in the season is to get our seeds started. The heat and light help the little seeds to survive these few more weeks of cold weather, giving them a jump-start before they move to the garden. We decided not to rush and throw together a flimsy greenhouse, and so we are simply building some basic hot boxes, or cold frames, or whatever you want to call them. Some seed-starters. Using several old doors and other materials found all around the farm, Jesse put one together yesterday. I think it will work very nicely! And in the meantime, we can take our time building the greenhouse of our dreams (THIS one, please).
Also, my husband is becoming quite the handyman, because he also finished Wendell's doghouse. He looks so little and lonely sleeping in there now, but one day (soon) he will barely fit in there! Terrifying, I know.
- Hannah.
IN THE DETAILS.
Living in this giant house terrified me before, as I have said. But after spending some time here, especially during the daylight hours, I have found myself incredibly inspired. This house is wallpaper heaven, overflowing with beautiful patterns and textures that are endlessly fascinating. The more time I have spent focusing on these small details, the colors and prints, the intricate woodwork, and the little items we've brought along to make it feel like our home, the more I am discovering Warrenwood to be a very happy space. This may seem completely unrelated to farming...but I believe that creativity is an important aspect of our lives. Creativity for finding a quick way to throw together a dog house or designing the layout of our garden. And the inspiration for this creativity can be found in the unlikeliest of places, be it in a line of mason jars on the counter or a wall covered in pictures of little dogs.- Hannah.
CSA UPDATES.
We are thrilled to have signed up our first CSA members this week! Thank you to everyone who has joined!We still have some spaces left and we wanted to say that if you are interested in buying a share but find the price a bit prohibitive at the moment, please contact us and we would love to work something out. Be it a payment plan or a work/share, our goal is to feed people who want good food, so please don't be intimidated by the upfront price tag. We are flexible. Hannah and I got into this to engage the community, live simply, and offer great food. It obviously has to be a viable business, but the health of our friends, our family and our community is of the utmost importance to us. Heirloom tomatoes, fresh corn, beans, peas, potatoes, etc... Let's figure out how to make it work for you!Also, unrelated...but we survived our first night in the new house! No ghosts, no bumps in the night, no problems! We just enjoyed our first breakfast while sitting on the porch. Simple toast and eggs with some AMAZING hot pepper jelly made by our sweet friend Beth. I think we are going to be alright.- Jesse.
