The torrential rains in the forecast held out and
we were spared from the crazy weather that ripped through the South
this week. The asparagus has grown to over six feet tall in one week!
It has literally grown feet over night. The kale, collards, lettuce,
Swiss chard and beet transplants started in the greenhouse were
established in the lower field. The strawberries are making a full
appearance and some berries will be ready this upcoming week. Today,
we put row cover over the quickly ripening strawberries to protect
our crop from hungry birds. We also planted three varieties of
potatoes and set up sprinklers and drip tape around the property. Morgan direct
seeded another wave of carrots, beets and lettuce. He is seeding
lettuce every two weeks to create a constant lettuce supply this
season.
This week we went to our first farmer's
market. We are very excited to be permanent vendors for the Madison
County Farmers & Artisuns Market at Mars Hill University every
Saturday from 9am-1pm.
This week we brought microgreens, wild
onions, fresh herbs, flowers and plant starts. You can also enjoy
Root Bottom Farm produce at the West Asheville Tailgate Market on
Haywood Rd every Tuesday from 3:30-6:30pm.
On the flower side of things, Kathleen
started her first “Flower Thursdays” where she works a half day
every Thursday helping me with planning, building and planting
perennial flowers. This week we drew out all of the gardens on graph
paper (1'=1 square) in preparation for the final flower count to be
seeded next week. I have designed warm gardens (reds, yellows, oranges) and
cool gardens (purples, blues, whites), a wild flower garden and a
garden inspired by my friend, Jen, that will have only have white varieties of flowers. I have repaired old existing beds to create better flow
around the cabin and intern house. We are also creating new beds
that take out difficult areas I hate to mow. Any thing to reduce my
two hours of mowing a week is fine with me!
First market of the season. We are at Mars Hill University every Saturday from 9am-1pm.
You can also come see us in West Asheville every Tuesday from 3:30-6:30
5' intern and the magic growing asparagus
Aesa
Moving "Yuns" and her chicken tractor for the day
Transplants in the greenhouse waiting to be planted in the field
Strawberries
At the beginning of the week they were green, one week later we have red ones.
Grapes.
Morgan and the microgreens.
Morning meeting in the barn.
Rosa likes to help weed the raspberries.
Wild onion harvest
Spreading compost for the transplants in the lower field
Kale yeah!
Lettuce transplants
My Mason jar pick of the week. Wildflowers, tulips and daffodils.
Supplies for the new greenhouse
Melons, squash, cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes are in line next to be transplanted.
Spreading compost for the early morning potato planting
Laying them out
Blue Adirondack
Lower strawberry bed is covered. We don't want to share our fruit with those hungry birds!
