Spring?
- Jess Weatherhead
- 8 minutes ago
- 3 min read
What a weird spring!
I put away all our winter clothes but I guess that was premature! I had to dig out mittens and coats for the kids last week because it was so cold!
We're in a bit of a production lull- we've transistioned the greenhouses from greens to tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and cucumbers, but the field greens are still tiny tiny. We did find a couple of red cherry tomato this week and harvested 5kg of beans... but we're still a couple weeks away from any real harvests from the greenhouses. We will have beets, kale and herbs ready for mid June as well and carrots for the end of June... but right now we're just harvesting a bit of rhubarb and asparagus from our small perennial patch (note to self: plant more asparagus and rhubarb!)
NEW EQUIPEMENT
We are weirdly not stressed about getting things done. Normally we'd be feeling exhausted an overwhelmed by all the work we are doing but even with a reduced team we're kind of on it. I don't want to jinx it... we know the work is coming but right now things are good. Why you ask? Well we invested in two big things this year : a system to robotize our tractor and a better transplanter.
The robotic tractor is a game changer. Robin has used GPS to map all the beds on the farm. We can now line our tractor up and it will drive itself in a perfect straight line over the beds.
It means we don't have to have one person driving the tractor while three of us transplant.. three or even 2 of us can transplant. I meant there are so many other benefits that I could really get into the weeds... but trust, it is a game changer!
The transplanter is the other amazing thing. we can sit upright on the back and simply place plants into holes - the planter plants the plants in perfect, straight lines... it took three people a day and a half to plant 70000 onions. In previous years this would have taken a team of five at least a week, maybe more.
All this to say, we are excited about all these improvments. Our plants are healthier, it's easier to weed and maybe most importantly, it's easier on the farmers!
So we're not AS stressed as other years, but we DO need it to stop raining and warm up a bit!!
CSA 2025- LET THE GAMES BEGIN!
CSA starts next week, June 12 & 13!
This weird weather has definitely slowed down production!
We will be starting the CSA with 13 credits, instead of 14, this year (for 2 weeks) to help ease the burden on production. Never fear - we will make up for it in the coming weeks by being extra generous with things that are abundant... and if your really don't want to participate for the first two lighter weeks you can opt to go on vacation for those 2 weeks!
A preview of what is to come soon!!
PEONY SEASON
We've decided to not do Peony fest this year but are doing PEONY SEASON! A one day event is just too much for our little team to manage, especially since it is planting season and the first weeks of CSA!
So instead of a big ONE day event, we're encouraging people to come out to pick their own Peonies for the whole bloomin' 2 weeks (during store hours!). The farm will still feel festive and springy plus there won't be an entrance fee!!
New extended store hours:
Wednesday 7h30 - 6h
Thursday 7h30 - 7h
Friday 7h30 - 6h
Saturday 8h - 3h
We have Boulangerie Marcel in our kitchen now and a new espresso machine so you can treat yourself to a gorgeous pastry and tasty coffee and enjoy it in our garden or under our barn awning. Boulangerie Marcel also has sandwiches, cakes and other tasty treats on offer.
Pastries from Boulangerie Marcel, now operating from R&S Kitchen!!
We hope to see you here!
Jess and the R&S team