It's finally Spring! The winter has been fun and relaxing, and we are gearing up for another great season of honey, flowers, produce, soap, and farmer's markets. The bees are making their way out of the hives, trying to find pollen and nectar. I saw this little bee on a crocus last week, and Isaac mentioned that today he saw a lot of bees carrying the biggest pollen sacs on their legs that he had ever seen. Out of 80 hives, we have lost about 20 so far, which is a very good survival rate compared to other area beekeepers we have talked to.
Becky and I started planting in the greenhouse on March 15th. The plants had one cold night as the heater quit working, but they survived and are growing well with this warm weather. As you can see we have some herbs (sage, rosemary, lemon verbena) started by plugs that are already coming along nicely. We are also trying some new organic controls for the aphids that usually turn up in our greenhouse. I am buying 5,000 ladybugs and releasing them inside the greenhouse, since they love to snack on aphids. We've heard other farmers have done this with great success.
Here's a new crop for 2010: Broccoli! I love the way broccoli sprouts look. And although I don't have a great camera or photography skills, I still attempted to do some justice to these beautiful little broccoli plants. Becky decided to grow these especially for her CSA customers. The rest of us might get some if we're lucky.
And here is one of the first little tomatoes that sprouted. So cute. It's hard to believe the bounty this one little plant will eventually provide. I am so ready for tomatoes and basil. Aren't you?
And finally... a picture of one of my little greenhouse "helpers." Maizy has done pretty well out in the greenhouse this year, keeping herself busy by crawling around the dirty ground, finding sticks to put in her mouth, and tugging at my legs. Mason likes to play with his dump truck on the dirt mound out back. It certainly has been a challenge this year with two mobile children... but the work is getting done and we are all enjoying it.
Our first market this year will be April 17 at Earth Gathering in Chillicothe. More info on this will follow!
The ladybugs are here! We have been releasing ladybugs in the greenhouse every night to control the aphids that usually appear this time of year. The funny thing is, we haven't really seen any aphids yet... so now I am worrying that the ladybugs won't find enough to eat. Kind of weird to actually want aphids so the ladybugs don't starve. I'm sure they will just roam outside into nearby fields if they don't find any in the greenhouse. 
Have you ever wondered what an asparagus plant looks like underground? I think they resemble octopus tentacles. These are the "purple passion" asparagus I planted on Saturday. They are supposed to be more tender than the popular Jersey Knight asparagus, and emerge purple, but turn green when cooked. I really enjoy the tiny, slim, tender asparagus so I decided to give them a try. They are planted 6-8 inches deep in trenches (I dug holes because I was too lazy to use a hoe to dig the trench), and covered with 2 inches of compost. Asparagus cannot be harvested the first year, and for only 2 weeks during the second year. So these little guys won't be enjoyed until 2012. Asparagus is only for the most patient gardeners.
We also received 25 Golden Buff chicks in the mail last week. Here is our nephew Owen pondering the meaning of life while watching the baby chicks play. 
This weekend marks the kickoff of our market season! We will be in Chillicothe for the annual Earth Gathering event. It is at the beautiful Yoctangee Park - Pump House Center for the Arts from 11 am-7 pm. Great food, music, art for sale, and kids activities.... and the weather is supposed to be great! We will be selling honey, soap, as well as a few cold-hardy flowers and herbs. Come join us!
