What the Hail?

We have redefined the "h" word on Windflower, and this last week of rainy, thundering weather is a reminder to all that language like that is banned until the danger season passes over us. It seems that every year once we begin to plant stuff in the ground that some size h@!L falls. I find it ironic that the word carries similar meaning to the word it mimics.

The rain itself has brought severe flooding to nearby areas. Luckily, Windflower is on higher ground, but a town to our west has houses on the riverside that are likely using boats to get to their front doors. It's quite a sight. The baseball field and park were flooded, too. When I drove by, they had just opened the road again.

Next week looks like a rainy one also, so it's gonna be a messy planting time. Be sure to add your vote to the poll at the end of the page so we know what to plant more of!

Spring is Sprouting

Happy Spring everyone!

Windflower Farm is up and running with most of the crew back for chilly mornings of seeding, potting-on, and schlepping (yes, it's a word). There are two High Tunnels the size of what you see here just filled with little plants popping up, not to mention the greenhouse holding all the tomatoes and things that like it nice and hot.

We've been spoiling ourselves with coffee and baked goods-even some homegrown popcorn- to keep warm while we work, and it feels good to be back after a winter of down time and cold. It amazes me that Daren made it through a whole winter season working in the cold to pack the winter shares and shovel snow from the tunnels. Not something I could do. The winter is too cold for me.

By next week the weather should begin to cooperate and we can get the broccoli, cabbage, and some herbs into the ground. Transplanting season is my favorite time of year. And it puts Sunday drivers to shame. If you ever get a chance to sit back and watch the slow, thirty minute trek of the tractor as it goes 300 yards you'll understand what I mean. Hey, maybe it's more like driving through NYC traffic . . . if so, I might stand a chance driving in the city.

Potting-on = taking small plants from their initial seeded tray and planting them "on" into the next size of our transplant trays so they can establish a larger root system.