Too Much of a Good Thing, Might Be a Bad Thing...

You can't always get what you want, and too much of a good thing might be a bad thing! That has definitely been the case with our weather so far this year.

Last summer we had our dry spell. In Iowa, we had a historic drought which severely affected the corn crops especially. We couldn't seem to catch a thunderstorm or light rain; every single time it seemed like it would miss us. It would skirt us or break apart almost right before our eyes.

So far, this year it has seemed to be a completely different situation as we've had rains and cooler temperatures almost constantly. Some nights, we've had temperatures as low as 24 degrees which has no doubt altered our planting plans. We have these short little, tiny windows in order to plant a lot of crops.
  

Last night we planted the sugar peas and I planted another 10 rows of lettuce- my French heirloom lettuce varieties. We finished just in time as a steady rain fell. We appreciated the watering in and the next ten days of the forecast (except for Tuesday overnight) look great!

In the meantime, our pepper and tomato transplants have been doing well, living in their posh cell packs. They are not going outside for a long time... especially if this weather continues.  Last year at this time, we had consistant 70+ degree temperatures and they were established the garden by this time. I'm pretty convinced I was pulling weeds.

Peppers

 

 

Adam's mom sent me this picture yesterday. I love it- it is of Adam gardening back in the day.
See, he was always cut out for this... little did he know, twenty years later he would be working hard on a much larger scale!

Next up, as soon as we can, we will have a potato planting adventure. We have approximately 200 lbs. that will be planted next weekend. Russets, Yukon Gold, Kennebec, French Fingerling, La Ratte Fingerling, and All Blue all need to be cut up and planted in the ground very asap. I had to buy potatoes at the grocery store yesterday and yes, it about killed me to do so!

But our salmon, roasted potatoes with garlic, and spinach seemed to have to us ancier than ever!

Spring At Heritage Hill Farm... We've been busy!

We have been so busy lately and time is flying by!
Even though it is officially Spring, that groundhog was way off. It has been one of the coldest and wettest April's for decades. I have to admit, every Sunday I watch the US Farm Report because I find it interesting and I (possibly) bore Adam with my little juicy tidbits I learn, ranging from such topics as farmers in the South planting more corn that cotton, honeybees in California for pollinating crops- you name it, I'm probably fascinated. Its my tradition. Actually I used to watch that show when I was growing up with my dad, while he made the world's best fried egg sandwich.

Spring also happens to be my busy time with work. That means many phone calls and visits to customers, and late nights working on orders. We are shipping orders throughout the Midwest, but even my poor Minnesota customers can't seem to get out of winter so many of them have wanted to delay until it finally acts a little more like Spring. On the weekends, I spend time at the farm to unwind.

Here are some highlights...

This weekend, Adam and I planted over 800 onions and almost all of our cool season crops, such as the broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, and cauliflower. All of our plants (except the onions) were started from seed under grow lights, quite an undertaking for our very limited space. We were CAKED in mud and worked while it was sprinkling. I'm sure the plants loved it.

Here are some fun pics that I thought I would share...

We planted approximately 5 flats of cole crops- the ones that love the cool temperatures! 

 

January King Cabbage- these are actually a blue- green color and stunning! 

Our onion plants came from a grower in Texas- Adam is the onion expert! 

But the nice and tidy, evenly spaced plots would not be possible without the help (ok, directorship basically) of Adam. He's known as 'Mr. Details'.
As you know, I'm not the most patient person and if I had the chance I would go rogue and plant everything everywhere. He does a good job of reigning me in... or he likes to think he does. I'm sure I will find some places to squeeze in a few plants....

The plots are located in second year corn- I spend forever picking up corn that's been left by from the combine.

Also, I've added lots of goodies to my Etsy shop. I bombarded my friend Jenny with quilts and she has done such an amazing job.

Here's the link....this is just one listing, but I have lots of others up under my shop. I've shipped my first order to Arkansas and it was really a great experience.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/128227227/oh-deer-quilt-made-with-modas-oh-deer?


More interesting updates to come.... stay tuned!
I guess the moss doesn't grow on me, I'm not one to sit still.