So Long, Farewell

Auf Wiedersehen, Goodbye...

After just over a year of farming and blogging, I'm hanging up my hat. Turns out that a small family of cocker spaniel-sized woodchucks got the best of my farm, and me. Thanks to all of you--friends, family members, and a surprising number of strangers--for reading about all my (mis)adventures along the way, and for offering up advice, encouragement, and good-natured heckling on a regular basis.

Instead of ending with a photo of the carnage, death, and destruction on the Farm (the family came back for seconds, and thirds, etc., until all that's left are stems), I'll end with what may be the last harvest--a very tiny portion of the strawberries, protected from the woodchuck feast by some especially prickly wire fencing, and picked fresh this morning.

Green Thumb Sunday | You Know What This Means

Green Thumb Sunday | You Know What This Means
I didn't either. But I looked it up, and turns out we will have strawberries this year (knock on wood).

In case there was any doubt...

at how new/bad I am at this farming gig, here's one more example:

"Fall chores" on the farm were ignored in favor of "fall chores" of the academic year--the overlap is really unfortunate. Anyway, today I took a peek under the mulch covering the strawberries and green onions, only to realize there are green leaves under there. But the question is, new or old??? Honestly, I think they're a mix, which all boils down to one thing: this Farmer has a Big Mess on her hands.

SO, if anyone reading this actually knows the proper way to grow strawberries and has any suggestions for righting the ship, puh-lease leave them in the comments.

Farm Vitals
Yesterday's high: 49F
Yesterday's low: 43F
Warnings: more snow is coming. no, really.
Reason to consider a new career: I think this post basically covers it.

My How You've Grown

Friends, Farmers, Pioneers, and Countrymen!

I returned to the farm last night after a six day hiatus, and I cannot even begin to describe the changes. If I'm not careful, I'm afraid this post could stretch on for days and days. So to get everyone up to speed, I thought a newspaper headline approach might be best...

Farmer Gower's Tomatoes Demonstrate Resilience in Non-Human Species
(page A-1, above the fold)
Just a week ago, these were the cold, stunted tomato plants I almost pulled out. Now they're out of hibernation and growing with gusto. As much as it pains me to say it because she does not need one additional ounce of encouragement, Suburban Farmer was *cough*right*cough*. Farming takes patience, and this farmer needs to find some stat.

Intensive Cultivation Method Proves Once Again Farmer Has a Lot to Learn
(page A-1, below the fold)

Folks, I've already admitted my less-than-accurate impression of the probability of planted seeds growing. I get it. They grow. All of them. But now I am left with this mess, which I really have no idea how to thin. I'm going to give it a shot this weekend, and will of course keep you posted. The good news, I guess, is that the carrots have now sprouted too along with the spinach.

Beans and Peas as High as a MiniChuck's Eye, and It Looks Like They're Climbing Clear Up to the Sky
(page A-2)


Rabbits Weep at Edge of Fence Keeping Them From Lettuce Bounty
(page A-4)
I think the first salad leaves will be ready to pick in a week or two. At least the chilly spring weather was good for one crop. The Romaine will take a little longer, but not much.

Strawberries, Watermelon, Zucchini, and Onions Keep on Keepin' On
(page A-10)

Weeds Threaten to Overtake Farm, Require Immediate Attention
(page B-1, above the fold, city section)
For instance, have a look around this bunch of carrot seedlings. I know what I'll be doing this weekend.


Neighbors Report Disturbance at 419; Farmer Found Shouting, Dancing a Jig in Joy, Surveying Her Bounty
(page C-18, Police Blotter)
The farm in the first rays of morning sun, after reuniting with its Farmer and a good soak from the hose (side note: Farmer can't believe there are places where you still have to water after her excursion to the rest of the midwest). Cages placed on tomatoes that are staying for the whole summer. Tomatoes without cages better shape up or risk replacement, though the jury is still out. Herb Report and Volunteer Update later this week.

Farm Vitals
Yesterday's high: 78F
Yesterday's low: 53F
Warnings: none
Mood of the farm: joyful at the return of the farmer (if I may be so modest)
Reason to consider a new career: the spinach and carrot fiasco is a little humbling...

Updates from the Farm

After 24 hours without visiting the farm, I started to get the shakes. Luckily, I made time to go today, and things are looking better than I had imagined!

Lettuce and spinach are still going strong. And the onions are up, but my computer focused on the wrong thing, so those pictures will have to wait.


Strawberry plants going crazy.

Cucumbers sprouted.

Zucchini too!








And those Wando peas...

What's that you say? Why aren't there pictures of the green bean seedlings? Well, that's because they're not up yet. Since I was sure I got a bad seed packet (um, do those even exist?), I carefully excavated the surface of one lowly green bean seed. THEY'RE GROWING! At least they were until I tried to check into the situation...

This weekend, the weeding cannot be put off any longer. The tomatoes are going to get cages, even though it's so cold they wouldn't know how to grow if they wanted to. And some of the lettuce will need to be thinned. Did you know that when you plant seeds, nearly all of them sprout? Yeah, I had no idea. So the row of lettuce is kind of hysterical/embarrassing, depending on how you look at it. I'm calling it a Learning Opportunity. Apparently mother nature knows what she's doing. Also possibly this weekend, Suburban Farmer has some garlic chive and border plants to share with this farmer and N is hoping she'll share some giant hostas with the rest of the yard. All in a day's work...

On tap for tomorrow: A scientific investigation into what the heck is up with my tomato plants.



Farm Vitals
Yesterday's high: 62F (no, really)
Yesterday's low: 55F
Warnings: Obama in the house!
Mood of the farm: youthful
Reason to consider a new career: Diggin' up the seeds. Again.