Planting... this is always the crush, crux, and craziest part of the growing season. Weeks and months spent caring for, watering, tending seedlings so that they have just enough light, just enough water, just enough of what they need. And now the all need to be planted. Some can go in before the end of big frosts (frost never really ends here). Some need to wait until after the end of big frosts. And some get planted in the high tunnel or greenhouse as no amount of frost is ok. Everything in the rest of the year depends upon planting. Do it at the wrong time (too much wind, too much sun, too much cold, too much water, too much dry...) and they all struggle and maybe die. It is a study in patience (not planting before the big frosts are over, even if that one 75F day seems to never end). And a study in speed (it's finally perfect, now plant almost everything, preferably in the few hours of early morning) And then the care continues with irrigation, weeding, covering from frost or hail, but planting is the big push that every farmer hopes doesn't push back too much.
All the Happenings Herbal Preparations: Internal ; Dragon's Breath Farm ; June 16th Learn the terminology and techniques associated with preparing herbal ingredients for drinking & eating. Take home preparations of your choice! Sign up here! What's available this week?
Where to find it all?
Thursdays from 3-630pm at The Farmers Market at Libby & Saturdays from 9-1230pm at the Kalispell Farmers Market
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You may see a different figure in my booth today, similar, but not the same because my Mom will be in charge while I'm gone! I had planned to not be there at all as I take a short weekend break to camp but I goofed and planted a bunch of microgreens that are ready this week and won't last. So mom is filling in for me! It'll be a pared down booth but the lovely greens will be there along with my lovely mother. While I'm away for a few days, she is in charge of the farm and it's a lot of shoes to fill so please stop by, buy some greens or a dried bouquet, and thank her for me!! It's not easy to get a break during the growing season (and especially the planting season!!!) but it's her and my dad's help that makes it possible ❤️ The cover crops in the tunnel are done and ready to be mowed, tilled in, and then plant a test of corn and squash with some heat-loving flowers mixed in. With the frosty summer nights here, corn can't be grown out in the field and neither can summer or winter squash. Time to see if the warmth of the tunnel can make it happen! All the Happenings Herbal Preparations: Internal ; Dragon's Breath Farm ; June 16th Learn the terminology and techniques associated with preparing herbal ingredients for drinking & eating. Take home preparations of your choice! Sign up here!What's available this week?
Where to find it all?
Thursdays from 3-630pm at The Farmers Market at Libby & Saturdays from 9-1230pm at the Kalispell Farmers Market The wave of spring green has finally reached the farm! The trees are leaved out, the grass is growing (which means I am mowing), and the hummingbirds have returned. This, all too brief window, of not-to-hot and not-to-cold in the mountains means a planting rush as the seedlings are churned through the cycle of greenhouse, halfway house, field; and repeat until done. The perennials are flushing out and all the weeds are popping up (some welcome, some not so much). And thus the race between plants that I want to grow here (namely 'crops') and plants that I want to grow over there (namely 'weeds') begins. I, the farmer, play the role of judge, jury, and executioner, wielding my scythe, sickle, and hoe. I tend to be merciful and lenient with my power over the plants of this place as not all 'weeds' cause me or my crops harm and a harsh judgement can sometimes cause more harm than good (pull hastily on that quack grass runner and up comes a whole line of newly germinated cabbages). A lot of those 'weeds' are even food, growing without the need for extra care or attention from me while the crops require vigilance, comfort, and a lot of my time. If you too want to learn what 'weeds' are also food so that you don't spend hours ripping out lamb's quarters just to make space for a few heads of lettuce, check out the classes currently offered on the farm and let me know what you want to learn next! Just a few days until the Everything Dandelion! Class They are still in their big spring bloom out on the farm but even if yours have gone to seed, they still bloom all season long (just not in mass). Come for an afternoon on the farm learning how to make many recipes, crafts, and medicine with this oft disdained plant friend. Learn more on the website and Sign up here!
All the Happenings Everything Dandelion! Class: Dragon's Breath Farm: May 19th Dandelion is both food and medicine. Learn how to prepare and appreciate this often attacked plant. Take home recipes and a few new favorite snacks! Sign up here! Herbal Preparations: Internal ; Dragon's Breath Farm ; June 16th Learn the terminology and techniques associated with preparing herbal ingredients for drinking & eating. Take home preparations of your choice! Sign up here!What's available this week?
Where to find it all?
Thursdays from 3-630pm at The Farmers Market at Libby & Saturdays from 9-1230pm at the Kalispell Farmers Market If you haven't gotten anything for the moms in your life (yes, yourself counts too!), then you've got two more chances to pick up some flowers at either The Farmers Market at Libby, this Thursday, or the Kalispell Farmers Market, this Saturday. Look for me in the booth filled with colorful, dried bouquets made with entirely farm-grown flowers that are dried naturally (nothing bought-in or dried in the usual commercial ways which means a ton of chemicals). There'll also be a bit of fresh Daffodils, but get them early as they go fast!
If fresh flowers are more your gift-giving style, I've got a limited amount of heirloom daffodils that will wow any mom who loves it when spring blooms first appear All the Happenings Native Spring Wildflowers: Troy, MT: Monday Evenings, April 29 - May 20 Learn both the common and lesser known spring wildplants that live in NW MT. One indoor class will cover the basics of plant id. Three classes will be outdoors: Callahan Creek, Old Hwy 2, and Alvord Lake. We'll focus on how to identify plants at all growth stages and not just when flowering. Sign up here! Kootenai Country Wildflower ID Hike: Old Hwy 2 Trail: May 12th Join us for a scenic hike along Old Highway 2 trail to Shannon lake. Our route features fantastic views of Kootenai Falls and the river valley. We'll stop to identify plants and wildflowers along the way, including several wildflower varieties near Shannon Lake that are harder to find without a steeper or longer hike. There is a short scramble up to the lake, but the trail is otherwise gradual and wide, with a few interpretive displays about the history of the old road and area. Spring is the best and most bountiful wildflower time along this accessible and enjoyable trail. We'' end early enough for participants to explore the adjacent Kootenai Falls and Swinging Bridge afterward if they want to. Sign up here! Everything Dandelion! Class: Dragon's Breath Farm: May 19th Dandelion is both food and medicine. Learn how to prepare and appreciate this often attacked plant. Take home recipes and a few new favorite snacks! Sign up here! What's coming this season?
Where to find it all?
Thursdays from 3-630pm at The Farmers Market at Libby & Saturdays from 9-1230pm at the Kalispell Farmers Market |
AuthorI'm Farmer Megan with a life full of cackles, clucks, quacks, weeds, crazy kitten, and one tiny, senior, blind dog. Archives
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