Here We Go Again!

This has been the most remarkable spring in Maine! We were able to plant peas in March and they are a  few inches high on this April 25th. Temperatures in April have been warmer than average and up until a couple of days ago it has been very dry. We've been able to beat the black flies in getting some of our crops in. So far we've planted lettuces, arugula, beets, spinach, radishes and carrots outside. Today I will transplant some beautiful broccoli and tuck them in under a row cover.
The hoop house is chock full of babies and the cold frame is filling up. Kate is operating her CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) from here and most of the seedlings are hers. Whew! A lot of plants. It is so exciting! The only downside of this early spring is that the lawn needs to be mowed already. Oh yeah, and the weeds are growing, well, like weeds!

Planting Broccoli

We will have the farm stand open this year from 9 to 5 Monday - Saturday, beginning May 25th. Closed on Sunday. In the past we have been able to use the honor system with customers getting what they wanted and leaving money in a cigar box or locked box for large bills. Unfortunately someone has been stealing the money and/or food. This has been happening in many farmstands throughout the area. It's too bad! Besides produce we'll be selling jams, pickles, dilly beans, and some other "value-added" products. Also there will be some crafts - knitted socks, hats and scarves. Felted animals, lavender sachets, balsam pillows, and more. Also we will have seedlings for sale starting in mid-May.
Besides Kate's CSA, she will also be selling at the Stonington Farmer's Market on Deer Isle every Friday morning from 10a.m. to noon. That begins on May 25th.

The chickens wintered well and our one rooster is behaving himself and is a good protector of our 10 hens. We find keeping chickens in so rewarding. They are little trouble and we always have the freshest eggs plus some to sell to a few of our neighbors. Sometimes it is a challenge to find the eggs because the birds have the run of the place and they don't always deposit their eggs in their nice straw-lined nesting boxes. Occasionally we find stashes of eggs under the potting shed or in a leafy nest in some hidden place. Our Aussie girl, Lola, sometimes retrieves them for us. She holds them gently in her mouth and delivers them without a scratch!

Lola with an egg in her mouth.

We are looking forward to a great growing season with a lot of variety in our organic vegetables, strawberries and blueberries. Can't wait for the first asparagus and the rhubarb is just about ready for picking. Grow on! And Happy Spring!

Rooster Brother