Monday, April 8, 2013

Farm School-Week Six


Here we go!
We're hoping spring is making its appearance
in your neck of the woods.
We've been blessed with cool mornings
and sunny days.


This place is Zen.



Some pretty amazing things happen here.

 

In just a few weeks, these babies
will be gracing our supper table.
These beans are a bush variety and need no staking.


 

Week six has us learning about 
growing tomatoes.
These beauties just keep comin' right along.



It's all the love I tell ya...

 

Could anything this glorious grow
without tender loving care?


 

These are pretty far along.
Let's learn how they got there...




Today we're planting sweet millions.
It's a cherry tomato variety.
They will grow during our hot summers
when other tomatoes are long since compost.

Notice how long the stem is.
Wait 'til you see what we do with this gorgeous specimen.




Everything is started from seed.
Those are some mighty healthy looking roots there.




All the lower leaves are stripped off of the stem.
Lynn says that you really can't hurt the plant at this stage.
Seems brutal, but this man knows his stuff.






Now, check this out.
The hole is dug in the center of the pot...



the plant is placed waaaaaaay down in the hole.



Replace the soil back around the stem...




until it's almost where the topmost leaves begin.


Buried and snug as a bug.


Seedlings are efficiently watered near the center,
so as to saturate the roots.
If the roots are healthy, the plant should be too.




We checked on the eggplant that were recently transplanted.
Comin' right along...



I adore the bloom on this eggplant.
A feast for the eyes as well as the soul.



This one ended up in my take home bag.



Lynn advised me that this plant is nearly a year old
and still producing.
That's nothing short of amazing.



A new crop being tried is the zucchini blossom.
Notice the sandy soil?



Pea tendrils dance as they make their way up the trellis.



This is the day I've been waiting for.



I get to sample this magnificent creature.



Lynn even allowed me to harvest my own!
Whoo-hoo!
Just grab at the base and pull, baby, pull!



I mean, are you kidding me?
I'm 5' 4", and these were nearly my height.






Faye is tenderly harvesting some of the red oak leaf
that will go into my order for a lettuce mix.
Everything is suited to the customer's preferences.
Excuse me, I can't look at this picture too long 
because I start to drool uncontrollably.
It's that good.



There are a myriad of elegant and fascinating ornamental plants 
on the property.



Eye candy everywhere you look...



God sure does good work.




Hope you enjoyed Farm School today.
The time I spend here is so centering for me, so calming.   
It nurtures my very being.
Enjoy this day and and all of its gifts.



 Farm School Week One
 Farm School Week Two
Farm School Week Three
Farm School Week Four
Farm School Week Five


  http://www.anoregoncottage.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/jtgpfinal.png



monday's homestead barn hop

8 comments:

  1. Gardening sure does satisfy the soul, doesn't it? Do they grow all their crops in those plastic pots, or are some planted in the ground? Why not just plant in the ground I wonder? Looks like you've been learning a lot! (and enjoying a lot of great local produce too!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There's nothing like it, for sure.
      They only use pots. It is easier for them to tend, as they plan to farm for the rest of their years. Lynn has a special soil mix that he uses for everything and with the pots, he can control more of the growing process.

      Delete
    2. what a neat concept! I guess it makes sense - they would be even easier and more moveable than raised beds! :)

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    3. The other reason they use the containers is so they don't have to worry about nematodes.

      Delete
  2. It is so nice to see so many different plants that can be grown and easily established in pots and things.
    I've tried raised beds and they are pretty successful for us.
    This year...we planted straight to ground AFTER TILLING...blech!
    Not a fan of it. Too many weeds.

    Loved this post.
    Pat

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have been convinced after reading a lot over at Old World Garden Farms that no-till is the way to go.
      One of the great things about Lynn's plants in pots is because he used the black covers, there are very few weeds. More time for growing and harvesting as you are not spending time weeding.

      Delete
  3. What a glorious garden post...makes me want to get started here even though it is still too early.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry for the late reply. Hopefully, by now you are well into planting!

      Delete

Thanks for taking the time to leave your thoughts!