Pride and Joy

This is it, people. The farm was planted on May 24th, and here we are, on June 25th with the very first harvest. Just a month of love and attention, and what do we have? A midnight harvest of bounty! Well maybe not midnight, and maybe not bounty, in the truest sense of the word, but it's definitely a harvest. And I'm definitely excited to eat something I grew. I think tomorrow, I will grill corn and chicken to slice on the salad greens and spinach harvest, along with sunflower seeds and some dried cranberries. Getting hungry already!

Herb Reports Are Overrated Because It's Almost Harvest Day!

Alright, I've been promising an herb report for ages, but I am way more excited that today is the first Harvest Day! Lettuce and spinach will be emerging from the garden and onto a salad plate near you (or near me, at least!). It's the best day of the Farm so far. I'll of course have copious amounts of photographic evidence.

But in the meantime, here is a picture of some of the herbs so I haven't completely broken my promise to you people of the internets. The latest update is that cilantro is a big tease, and not the good kind. Just when the weather makes me want to eat cilantro at every meal, the cilantro plants bolted! Who wants to eat coriander, anyway? Lame.




Farm Vitals
Yesterday's high: 87F
Yesterday's low: 62F
Warnings: The grass pollen is kickin'.
Mood of the farm: Probably a little nervous that I'm so excited about getting near it with scissors.
Reason to consider a new career: None. Reason to go into farming however, is the unrestrained joy I felt upon hearing these words, "Well, it's only 2 or 3 acres, but you'd get to drive the tractor and the tiller if you want to." (!!!!)

Farmers Run On Dunkins.

Friends. This is all you need to know.

George and MiniChuck, Ready for Their Closeups

1) I'd like to officially welcome George to the Farm. He's going to be a real help.

2) It's a member of the Chuck Family! We had a little photo shoot yesterday, and I think this one really does MiniChuck justice.



There have been a variety of other wildlife events on the farm lately, but they are far far far too disgusting for me to relay them. Farming is a dirty job in ways I never anticipated. Thank you to Farmer/Consumer H for braving the stench and demonstrating her, um, disposal skills. Also thanks to Farmer/Consumer N for putting the Farm to good use. Farm basil + caprese salad = happy bellies. That's the math lesson of the day.

I'll be on a pilgrimage to find Dunkin Donuts coffee, I mean doing Important Scholarly Work. See you Wednesday, when I will finally post the Herb Report.


Farm Vitals
Yesterday's high: 81F
Yesterday's low: 59F
Warnings: Pollen Alert
Mood of the farm: Thinking about flowers, in light of all that pollen, I hope!
Reason to consider a new career: Weak stomach in face of Wild Non-life Stench. Ugh.

Green Thumb Sunday: Dogs Play on the Farm Edition

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Everybody Loves a Volunteer

Okay... Here is your volunteer update.

Volunteer #1. Pulled.

Volunteer #2. Pulled.

Volunteer #3. Also pulled.

Volunteer #4. Definitely pulled.

Volunteer #5. Not pulled, for curiosity and other scientific purposes.

Well, the volunteer situation was not really as exciting as I had hoped. Suburban Farmer and some other Anonymous individual had it right about the weeds. And about 1, 2 (possibly), and 5 being the same plant. Though I do think it is interesting how much smaller #2 is than 1 and 5... Anyway, much as I'd like to give the big victory to Anonymous because s/he complimented my pie, I'll have to give it to Suburban Gardener, because I actually know who she is. Though for the record, two days in a row where I admit Suburban Gardener is right or the winner is really pushing it. Don't get used to it, SG! If the Powell Procedure was involved, I'd totally be right.

Hey--in other news. H managed to get a great photo of the albino squirrel that has been hanging around in the general vicinity of the farm lately. Evidence and commentary, particularly regarding the special ability of the albino to make dogs go crazy available here.

Farm Vitals
Yesterday's high: 83F
Yesterday's low: 52F
Warnings: Summer might be here for real.
Mood of the farm: Patiently growing.
Reason to consider a new career: Farmer has been known to get a little, uh, disregulated in regards to the Farm.

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...