Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Playing Chicken with Mother Nature

Last year we were fortunate to have an early spring, and planted the first seeds in the garden on March 28.  This year, the garden was still covered in snow on March 28 (This is the winter that never ends…it just goes on and on my friend…).  I’m not saying we were impatient or anything, but Jason actually considered using the snowplow on the garden to try to thaw it out a little faster. 
On April 9, we decided to take a big chance on Mother Nature’s mood, and planted the first seeds of spring:  spinach, radishes, swiss chard, green onions and pak choi.  Potatoes, bulb onions and peas followed the next weekend.   These are crops that can be planted “as soon as the soil can be worked.”  But in addition to being thawed out enough, the ground also has to be dry enough to keep the seeds from rotting before they sprout.  In practical terms, when you can squeeze a fistful of soil in your hand and have it break apart, it is dry enough. 
Last week we saw the first tiny green signs of life in the garden and for a while, it looked like we might be in the clear.  Sadly, the future is now looking white.  And cold.  Snow is in the forecast, so we’ve tucked the tender plants in for the night, under a thin “blanket” of woven material to hopefully protect them from the crazy weather.  Oh, merciful Mother Nature…please let our leafy greens live to see another sunrise!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

The Sun Sets on the Syrup Season

Less than a month after it began, the Kopp’s Crops maple syrup season has finished.  The “we’re so tired of boiling alone that it’s time to invite over some friends for pancakes” party has been hosted.  The buckets have all been collected, washed out, and are ready to store for the winter.  The taps have been removed from the trees, leaving the small holes to fill in throughout the summer (but still leaving a mark, much like those ill-advised piercings you got in high school).  The big blue storage tanks have returned to their former role as eyesores in the side yard, where we keep all the sizeable farm equipment.
The final tally is 9.3 gallons of syrup, bottled in 8 and 12 oz. bottles.  So we estimate that between the bottles, the ongoing sampling, and the one unfortunate boilover of the finishing pot, we probably processed an even 10 gallons of syrup this year.  Which means we boiled approximately 400 gallons of sap, or almost 4.5 gallons per tree.   Definitely a successful season.  And frankly, we’re glad the season didn’t last any longer; we’re a little tired of collecting & boiling.  I guess you could say we’re “tapped out”!

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Spindly Sprouts Springing Up for Spring

The snow still hasn’t melted, but it’s off the garden now!  We’re chomping at the bit, because this time last year, we’d already started planting some of the colder weather crops.  Yes, we know that last spring came absurdly early, but that doesn’t stop us from feeling like we’re already behind.  We have, however, been getting a head start on our summer bounty.  Since March 1st, Amanda has had to share some of her basement play space with six flats of seedlings that need the southern exposure – the sliding glass door provides the best sun source in the house.  Which means that we haven’t been able to let Amanda play in the basement without a very watchful eye.  Ooooh…dirt!  Better than fingerpaint! 
But no more – good bye basement sprawl, hello plant high-rise!  We just bought an indoor greenhouse – four wire shelves covered with a zip-up plastic cover that looks a little like a garment bag.  We wouldn’t call it “toddler proof,” but it’s at least toddler-resistant.  We should be able to hear the unzipping of the cover even if we’ve got our backs turned!  And there’s plenty of room for all of our veggies-to-be: sweet potatoes, tomatoes, brussels sprouts, green peppers, squash, broccoli, and cauliflower.   Now we just need spring to arrive in Minnesota.  Seriously.  Any day now.  Please?