Let it Snow! (a little)

Farmers live by the weather. For as many tunnels, row covers, and other gear we use to protect plants from that weather, it eventually gets the better of us. (I do have a new heater for the Dragon Dome™ to get its residents through any inclement cold, like the 11F freeze that happened two nights this last May and froze a few flats of seedlings, but it isn't set up yet). Some plants are brought inside to weather the weather in a more sensible fashion. Some are harvested hard to beat the weather. Others are left to their own survival skillz, which some are better at than others.

The cold means the end to most flowers, as even under their tunnels they cannot cope with it. The ones that can are slow to bloom, since why bother when most pollinators are frozen in place or hiding in crannies. But there are lots of flowers stored inside, either dried or drying. More wreaths have been made and more hoops have arrived. An exploratory committee is working on developing some new floral hair clips and barrettes. And wintertime weaving work can begin.

There is still lots to do outside to get everything ready for heavy snows and make spring planting as smooth as possible. Plus lots of more huts & runs to build to spread out the chickens during their cooped up winter season and keep them comfy cozy as they get another year older.

There are still two more markets in Libby and all the upcoming seasonal fairs and markets! Stay tuned for updates and which ones you can find me at! 

​The snow came (only a few inches) and then it went, melting under the just-above-freezing air. There was a flurry of activity before it arrived: bring all fruits (ripe & unripe) in from the greenhouse, covering the carnations & dianthus, bringing tools undercover to reduce the rust, removing and draining hoses and sprinklers, clearing the porch to make way for the coming parade of firewood, and on and on. And then it arrived, followed by temps cool enough to seep into tunnels and greenhouse both. At that point there wasn't much to do except enjoy the reminder of what is to come (winter is coming, as ever) and give the chickens extra grubs so they don't get too droopy in the early cold (their coops don't get winterized for another month and these temps aren't cold enough to normally bother them, but the first day or two of it you can tell they find it dismally damp)

The Golden Girls are especially leery of the cold and they didn't leave their hut all weekend. To raise their spirits they got breakfast in bed of some squishy tomatoes and bread butts along with some tepid water. A feast fit for old chickens!

​As there wasn't much that could get done outside while there was snow on the ground, the work moved inside, but Hella (also uncontent with the outside conditions) made progress slow. At least she let me drape her with her new kitty cape (aka tie dye baby bib) for a quick photo shoot and took advantage of some sunshine by lounging with some of the orchids who have residence in a southern window.

It may be easy to get your ducks in a row, but even Galileo and Copernicus would admire the ability to get the chickens in a row, all lined up like Jupiters moons as they orbit around the hen house.

Their orbit had to shift as it was moving day for the coops. The snow and sogginess pushed it back a few days so the grass took more of a beating, but the roots of pasture sod runs deep and with all the fertilizer the chickens freely provide, it comes back lush and full.

​With the new slab settled and firm, the barn chickens were let free to roam. RiRi took the opportunity to check it out from a higher vantage point while the rest of the flock first discovered the moved but familiar compost pile followed by a look through the remains around the edges of the old one. Not a one set foot on the slab.

What's available this weekend?

• Eggs! The grass is going golden and the grasshoppers are thick and juicy and sometimes not quick enough to hop away from the chasing chickens!
  • dozen pasture-raised, rainbow chicken eggs $5
• Flowers!
  • a few flowers were saved from the frosts and there will be a limited number of bouquets available
  • dried flower wreaths - as they leave to new homes, I make more! Assorted sizes available and new varieties coming soon (silver as well as gold hoops)!
• Veggies!
  • Baby Head Lettuce Mix
  • Spicy Microgreens (Radish & Arugula)
  • Herb Microgreens (Lemon Basil)
  • Moroccan Creole Garlic
  • Chesnok Red Garlic
  • Green Bell Peppers
  • Hot Peppers
  • Green unripe heirloom tomatoes
    • the greenhouse will freeze soon. Get the last of the fruit before they get mushy!

Where to find it all?
I'll be at the Farmers Market at Libby, this Thursday from 3-7pm!