2008 Review | Wando Peas

Dates and times
The Wando peas, if you can believe such a thing, we're planted on May 24, and the first pea pod didn't even show up until around July 11th (high temp: 81F) and wasn't ready for eating until late July. A summer pea? I mean, really. Who ever heard of such a thing.


Keep or Lose?
I suppose the good news in all of that is that in the heat of the summer, there was a steady, slow production of peas, and on all but the hottest days, they were extremely sweet and delicious. Sadly, I think we harvested a total of about 18-24 pea pods. No, really. So I think I'm going to stick with the Wando variety again this year with a number of...

,,,Changes for 2009
Many. First of all, the peas are going into the ground early. Super early. And then instead of letting them grow so slowly in the heat of the summer, I'm pulling them out and replacing with green beans, which we all agree that we can't get enough of.

Also, I'm going to stake all the peas, even though it says not to. The peas that weren't staked looked like fine lace by the time June rolled around, and they never produced a pea.

Fun Fact
Minnesota is the largest grower of peas in the U.S.


Running planting list for 2009
Wando peas
(that list will be more fun as it gets longer, I swear...)

An Important Announcement

Hard to believe there is an important Farm Announcement on a day where the 8am temp was -24F, windchill -40, but there is.

The Farm is making a reappearance next year! As you can imagine, the Farmer is ecstatic about this news. And the Farm Dog is looking forward to lounging in the sun, or at least she will once she remembers what warm weather feels like. As a break from work, I think I'm going to review last year's crop choices and production and start thinking about changes to make for next year. The Farm Consumers have already put in a request for more green beans, and I couldn't agree more. Lots of exciting changes to make, so stay tuned. Seed catalogs have already been ordered, and I've begun consulting the Farmers' and City Folk Almanac.

I'm so happy about all of this that I'm going to post the kind of picture I despise seeing on all the other gardening blogs I read--the Snow Covered Garden Picture. Ugh! This will be the only one though, I promise.

(What kind of farmer leaves the cages and stakes on the Farm. Really, Farmer. Really.)

Farm Vitals
Yesterday's high: -4F
Yesterday's low: -16F
Warnings: We haven't been above zero since Monday. No, really.

The Farming Start to 2009

Friends of the Farm,
Happy 2009! It's too early to tell what this year will hold for Farming opportunities, but I can't wait to get my new Farmer G Gloves (a birthday gift from the Farm Consumers) dirty. So! It's time to get the tiny plant going. The seeds went in the dirt today.

I am so very skeptical, but I will keep you posted, as always.

An Importand Date

Dear Friends of the Farm,

On Thursday, December 18th, 2008, at approximately 7pm, the last of the Farm tomatoes were consumed. The Farmer, Dr. J., the Farm Dog (and her really boundless energy), and some lovely, frozen Farm basil were plate-side for the sad day. Also marking their exit were the very last of the local farmers' market onions. All present observed a moment of silence.


[Um, seriously though. The farm tomatoes lasted until the middle of December! Mother Nature astounds once again...]


Farm Vitals
Yesterday's high: 17F
Yesterday's low: -6F
Warnings: The farm is currently parading around without a coat because 22F feels so warm, but the farmer cautions the farm that near-zero lows are on their way...

Happy Holidays!

From the Farm Dog......who can't believe her mother is again making her go through this routine.

And the Farmer...

...and the other Farm Dog, too.

Farm Vitals
Yesterday's high: 4F
Yesterday's low: -12F
Lowest windchill so far: -30F

I Can't Think of a Better Idea

than a Farm on the White House lawn...



This Lawn is Your Lawn - 1 minute version for Climate Matters contest from roger doiron on Vimeo.

Farm Vitals
Yesterday's high: 41F
Yesterday's low: 26F
Projects remaining: clean stuff up, mulch the strawberries, remove the fence

So...

Friends of Farmers,

It is winter here in the frozen tundra of Minnesota. Yet a certain farm consumer has been leaving hate comments regarding the lack of blog posting. SO! I thought that I'd oblige and post today since there have actually been brief farm-related activities. Mulching the strawberries so they don't die? Nope. Moving the last of the tomato cages indoors and taking down the fence? Not that either.

I'm taking a short break to make green tomato chutney from a recipe a preschool teacher where I'm collecting data gave me. Pretty sure it's from the Moosewood Cookbook. Check this, though. Not only does it use the green tomatoes that haven't ripened yet, but it also uses that damn coriander, AND the cayenne pepper that worked so well as rabbit deterrent. Seriously, folks. The coriander. Is in the pan. Flavoring something delicious. I may not hate it as much as I originally thought...


[Farmer update: I just finished eating it, and it is the best damn thing I've had in a long time!!]

Farm Vitals
Yesterday's high: 33F
Yesterday's low: 20F
Warnings: Telepathically encouraging the Farmer to spread the damn mulch.
Mood of the farm: What farm?
Reason to consider a new career: I'm pretty sure farming involves more sleep than my current gig. Or at least better sleep...