Spring has Sprung
Winter Wheat
As the spring sun soaks in, life comes back to everything. Spring
is the time of rejuvenation and new growth. Spring maybe the most exciting time
on the farm because we are buzzing with anticipation to get things started. As
the snow melts away the fields reappear and we start thinking about getting out
on the land. This year is exceptional because the little snow we had melted
early and the weather has been so nice and warm. All this beautiful weather has
been great for our winter wheat fields. The winter wheat fields are lush and
brilliant green. We were lucky we didn’t
have much winter damage despite the lack of snow. Snow is important for the
wheat because it acts as an insulation layer in the winter, protecting it from
the cold.
Garlic on the Raised Beds
Our garlic is up and is looking good. Last fall we planted 12 acres for this years
crop. We planted using 2 different techniques. We planted a lot in raised beds
with 3 and 4 rows in each. The reason for the raised beds is to help with
drainage, increase soil temperature and most importantly, more efficient use of
the land. The raised beds also tend to be earlier and easier to dig for
harvesting. The second method we used for planting garlic was the corn planter.
This technique is great for planting the smaller cloves quickly, because we can
plant 4 rows at a time. Last night we checked on the garlic to see how it is
doing. We had great germination and each plant already has 4-5 leaves. When we
dug up some cloves we found large white root systems. The old clove is still
attached, but it is enlarged and if you crack the cloves open you will find the
new stem starting in the center. Its bizarre
how great everything is looking and its only April 11th.
Haskaps leafing out
We have two plantings of spinach in the ground, the rhubarb
and haskaps have leafed out, the day-neutral strawberries are getting some
blooms under the blanket and we are planting spring wheat. Everything is happening early this year, the
nice weather makes it feel like we may already be getting behind, but then you
look at the date and we are flashed back to reality. It is only the second week
in April.
Look at that air !!!
Our animals seem to love this weather too. The cows were
into the neighbour’s wheat field earlier than usual. It is normally mid-May
before we find the cows escaping their wintering grounds for greener winter
wheat fields. But not this year, it was in March. The baby lambs have been
running and jumping around outside all week. Enjoying the beautiful sun and
their new found out door world. Watching them jumping and kicking up their legs
with joy has been hilarious. Some of the lambs can get some serious air. Their
youthful enthusiasm brings excitement to doing chores. Even our miniature donkey
Burrito has had several jogs around the green pasture.