The farmer we used to work for in Bellingham sent us some wise words of advice in the midst of our recent trials. We enjoyed them so much we asked if we could share them with our blog readers, since we know there are a few other beginning farmers out there. Mike agreed (thank you!), so here they be …
Young Farming Friends:
When I was a kid there was a t.v. cartoon about a turtle and a wizard. The turtle was always asking the wizard to transform him into more active or exciting forms, like a sky diver, or a race car driver, or explorer, and such. The wizard would oblige him and change him into the character he had asked; but within a few moments he’d be overwhelmed and would blubber to the wizard to bring him back to his safe and familiar surroundings. And then the wizard would entone the incantation that has been permanently burned into my mind: “drizzle drazzle, drazzle drone, time for this one to come home.” There have been times in my farming career when things have imploded, or crashed, or run aground and I’ve often wished there was a wizard who could bring home to safety and a cup of hot cocoa. I’ve even been known to mumble to myself at these moments, “drizzle drazzle, drazzle drone, time for this (#@!!%&*!) one to come home!” Well, it’s not time for you to come home, but to simply pick yourself up, dust off your jeans, and get back in the saddle, pardners! You are just getting started on your adventure and if you do no worse than toast a heat cable or fumble with a greenhouse you’ll be light years ahead of yours truly. I had my own fun this weekend when I left clear plastic domes on several flats of germinating flowers – sun came out, Mike was obivious, and the temp. inside the domes went to about 5000 degrees kelvin toasting the little babies to brown cellulose threads. We will be resowing flowers along with you this week. Well, hey, that’s farming!
– Mike
Yes, that’s farming, indeed!
In other news, the successes have continued to roll along smoothly the last few days. We’re hoping this is a general trend rather than an anamoly. We resowed the tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants, and the new soil blocks look so beautiful we almost want to cry. And, now that everything is calm and prepared, they have stayed in a perfect range of temperature since their conception. Soon, they will germinate! We have lots of little green things poking up in the hothouse now: onions, kale, peas, brussels sprouts, and more. We also sowed lots of brassicas today: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, etc. The hothouse is getting full, but there’s still room for more!
We also finally finished our brochure, so there are copies all over Mac. Exciting!
