Tomato Tale, by Angela

Herein tells the story of the gargantuan greenhouse tomato plants. Where once they were but wee bitty seeds, they were watered and given space to grow. Now these wonders shade the aisles of the glass abode longing for their future home. A home among the acres of vegetables, out under the sunshine and rain, roots stretching gloriously into the rich clay loam soils. A home to reach toward the stars at night and burst forth with pounds of sweet delicious fruit for members who cherish the efforts of their life's work. Alas, their time has come this week, without delay, to transition from the warmth and friends in the greenhouse to the canvas of the farm-scape.

Joanne in the greenhouse with tomato plants

Bloggin' for Your Noggin--Spring Growth & Additions, by Angela

The three inches of wet heavy snow on Monday, March 25th, was a big shocker this late in the year.  So happy am I, that we waited to put plants outside a little later this year. Nonetheless, our tender young seedlings were kept nice and warm in the regulated, 70-degree greenhouse. The first transplants will go out in the field next week.

Seedlings in the greenhouse with March snow outside!

The month of March was blessed with ten hard-working Neumann nursing students providing eight hours each of service-learning on the farm. With their help, the blackberries and all the raspberries got a good spring pruning as well as the beginnings of a new trellising system. The raspberry trellis will help provide air circulation to the berries as well as a bit more ease in harvest.

Black Raspberries' trellising

Brendan & Josh framing the coop

The chickens are due to arrive April 15th! We began the chicken coop construction in March and have really been plugging away now to be ready in time for our new feathered workers. Thanks to a wide variety of members, roadside pickups, and a big chunk of gratitude to Joanne Rosenbaum, for providing us with lumber from your garages for the construction. Most of this coop is built with reclaimed wood. My joy explodes with delight in re-purposing materials in this fashion. Our birds will be living in style!

Front of the chicken coop with reclaimed closet doors!