The early peas are ready to plant!
There were moments when it seemed impossible, but we made it once again to our annual farmer gathering at Breitenbush Hot Springs last week! We were blessed with not one but TWO sleeping children on the drive up — always a good start to a trip. Once we arrived, it was clear that it was all worth the work of getting off the farm.
We only see most of these farmers once per year, and it’s wonderful to reconnect and share war stories from the season. I think that we won the unofficial “craziest season” award, although others had some very hard years indeed. We’ve been attending this event since our very first year, so it was also fun to show photos of our expanding farm and remember where we started (1 acre in 2006, 100 acres in 2013!). And, of course, it was good to get in the tubs with the whole family. Dottie splashed up a storm, and Rusty enjoyed soaking calmly. Casey and I were just happy to be in the water at all.
And, then we came home. The farm was in good shape when we arrived back (hoorah!). When we hit cell phone reception again on the drive home, I always check our voicemail very nervously, hoping that there were no disasters while we were gone. During our first year at Breitenbush, our newly erected starts greenhouse blew down while we were gone. This year was less eventful, thankfully.
We arrived back and jumped straight into preparation for the Full Diet CSA pick-up on Thursday (no rest for the road weary!). This weekend, Casey has spent a lot of time on animal type work. This is also the season of “gettin’ stuff.” And, Casey’s been gettin’ lots of stuff lately. On Friday he drove to Portland to pick up an ice machine — something we have been wanting ever since our market days, but it finally made sense with the milk production (ice water = rapid chill!). Saturday, Casey drove to Newberg for an ill-fated Craigslist purchase for the farm (we learned that we need to ask more specific question, because what we thought was going to be a 3/4 hp vacuum pump for a milker ended up being a 1/4 hp one — big difference!). And, on Sunday, we did manage to make a successful Craigslist purchase of a new-to-us trailer (soon to be a second portable chicken coop) — this time the couple delivered to us!
And, yet, there’s more stuff “to be got” still — we’re waiting on the delivery of another vacuum pump and will be picking up more chicks early next month. We’re also ordering the A/C unit and adapter to fix up our smallest cooler building (the one we built it 2006 that has since broken down). ‘Tis the season of buying stuff and spending money in general. There is a giant box of seeds sitting on our kitchen counter, waiting to be put away safely (in the meantime, our counter is safer than the barn). And, as soon as I get my butt in gear, we’ll have to pay 2012 taxes. It’s good to be a CSA and have enough cash now to pay for these things without borrowing.
The mild weather has continued since we arrived back home. We walked around the fields several times this weekend and started talking in detail about where to plant first and when. Our high tunnels are ready to plant (after one last pass of the harrow) and will soon be home to lots and lots of cooking greens. And, the early planting of peas are ready to go out too. How excited to think about such things in February! This spring surely still has lots of tricks left up its sleeves, but it’s been many years since we could even consider such things this early.
Even when it’s under 50°, we’ve been making a habit of spending time in our yard, playing with sand or whatnot. I think that Rusty thinks we’re crazy at such moments, but surely some part of his body/soul appreciates the fresh air as much as we do! We hope you too have been enjoying the weather! Enjoy this week’s vegetables!
Your farmers, Katie & Casey Kulla
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This week’s vegetables:
- Fresh green — Sorry to be vague! It’s been nice to decide this at the last minute.
- Komatsuna — This is a tender, mild mustard green — suitable for chopping and eating fresh or cooking as a braised green.
- Kohlrabi
- Carrots
- Potatoes
- Beets
- Celery root
- Leeks
