Monday, February 18, 2013

Cabin Fever

After an unfortunately long hiatus, I’m finally having a chance to sit down and write a bit.   Technically I don’t really have time to write at the moment; I should be grading papers, working on my own educational coursework, and/or finishing my lesson plans.   However, at the moment, I just needed to sit down and write a bit about what’s been going on here at the farm.   We’re not quite ready to gear up for summer just yet, but that doesn’t keep us from dreaming and scheming about what the upcoming warm season will bring.  



Mom and I have drawn a rough sketch of the layout of the garden, so as soon as the soil is warm enough to work, we’ll get Papi and Jhan to help move the fence and layout the permanent beds.   We’re planning to create a grid layout, leave walkways wide enough to maneuver a wheelbarrow, and to stave off weed growth using cardboard and mulch.   Here’s hoping we’ll be able to find the materials and have the time to create raised beds.   If not, we can always plan and save up for a year from now.   In any event, we’ve got a great many beds planned out, so I am praying that we’ll have just the right amount of rain and sun and the Lord’s blessings to be successful at the local farmers’ market this season.  



In addition to taking fresh vegetables and maybe raising some broilers to sell, I’m planning to take fresh baked bread and possibly some cookies (Alfajores, anyone?).   I’ve been perfecting an artisan, white-wheat bread these past few weekends, and I think I may have just about got it.   Starting next weekend it’s all French baguette all the time.   Who would’ve guessed that some flour, water, salt, and yeast could yield such delicious results?    



Possible crops for the garden: peas, leeks, asparagus, garlic, tomatoes, green beans, acorn and butternut squash, zucchini, radishes, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, jalapeño and yellow wax peppers (maybe some red and green sweet peppers too), lettuce, oregano, rosemary, thyme, basil, cilantro, dill (maybe various and sundry other herbs, and big maybe quinoa!



Possible additional products for market: morels, raspberries, black berries, zucchini bread, artisan bread, French baguettes, jams, and maybe wooden spatulas/spoons



I’ll keep the brainstorm ideas coming, and I hope that you (whoever you might be reading this) will chime in with some suggestions and ideas of your own.   What are you planning on planting in your garden this spring?