Abandoned Dreams

This blog and the CSA we were starting from nearly 8 years ago was perhaps a last ditch effort to rehabilitate the family we had begun to create together.  In hindsight, it was not practical to try and take on a CSA with all the problems R and I were having in our relationship and it ultimately went nowhere.  The relationship issues continue to be hashed out in the courtroom to this day (ugh).  That more personal story is for another blog.

I am eternally hopeful though and starting over is something I've done a lot.  I'm still growing using the same old low-tech methods although on a smaller scale.  I don't have land in Wisconsin to call my own but I'm working on that so I can get back to market growing again.  I've learned so much these many years that it should all be easier and I have more focus.  Check out my new Strike the Root Farm blog for updates.

Planting and Growing

Got some more greens planted yesterday and this morning. An asian greens mix which has quite a variety and some swiss chard. We grow the asian mix indoors for our own fresh eating and it is wonderful. Taking a quick break but will be back out planting later. Sunny and 70s today, a bit above normal for the last day of March. Our last chance of rain missed us. Looks like none until the weekend so I get to play raincloud.

Speaking of the last day in March, it is Aiyana's first birthday today. What a wonderful year watching her grow!

Strawberries

PLANTING
Great weather we've had this month. We have missed a bit of rain which will be needed soon. We're planting strawberry plants today. After that it can rain.

COWS
The cows are out on pasture now. Some mornings they are waiting by the barn and sometimes they are far out afield. "Heeeeeyyyy, Blossom! Heeeyyy, Hope! Heeeeyyyy, Cows!" and they come, and yes, old Blossom leads the charge.

HELP WANTED
We're always seeking gardening help. If interested in getting your hands dirty email jake@indigovalleyfarm.com .

Clear Forecast

The forecast for today was one that was watched for weeks in advance as it was Parker's 9th birthday. It was lowered and raised and, for the kids, it was a good lesson in just how often that happens. It did snow a couple times, nothing that lasted once it hit ground, and for the party-goers, the weather was irrelevant. As much as you can believe them, the weather folks say we have a few warm, sunny days ahead and, after tonight, no lows in the 10 day forecast much below freezing. 50s and 60s next week. I'm taking them at their word and planning some planting this weekend.

We use no power equipment in the gardens and work the soil only lightly so we can start planting a bit sooner. We work our wide beds from the side so there is no treading on the growing area. Compaction of wet soil is something I am keenly aware of when gardening. The soil in our valley, compared to the dark, deep loamy soil of central Illinois I first started market gardening on, is quite a bit looser and sandier. It's not a soil very prone to packing or water logging. The beds are terraced into a gentle south-southeast facing slope so the soil drains well and warms nicely on these sunny days we've been enjoying. The beds are also small enough to cover for extra warmth and protection.

At the garden's back is a wooded ridge that rises 200'+ feet. Looking out from the garden are two more distant ridges. One that ends on the land and whose foot is where our spring comes out, and a steep one farther off that stretches down out of sight. It makes for a beautiful scene and a well protected valley spot. If you happen to come out to see the gardens make sure you look up to take in the view.

Garden Preview

Another beautiful day here in the valley. While I took care of a prior obligation to do a bit of carriage service for some carless folks, Robyn took advantage of the gorgeous weather and got some radishes planted and other outdoor chores done. It seems I forgot that the bed I set aside for the radishes was apparently already planted in garlic last fall so now we'll have a few rows of radishes among the garlic. They should get along... I hope. Like the rest, the bed was not marked and the garlic hadn't made it through yet so it looked like an empty bed. Yeah, it was like that towards the end of the season last year. Digging the last of the potato beds and coming back and throwing in some garlic in the loosened soil... and figuring I'd remember where I put what as I trudged off to the next bed. My reassurance is that I can at least count on knowing what is where once it's above ground.

So, besides those mentioned already on this blog, there are many more things we are growing or plan to grow here on our farm this season. Many of our old favorites, several varieties new to us... in all, over 50 different varieties of veggies, fruits and herbs.

The following is a list we compiled of what CSA partners may see in their boxes in 2010. We are always experimenting with other crops and seasons vary so this list may not represent all that we grow. Offerings vary by box and by season. If you don't see something on the list that you are interested in, just drop us a line and make a request at jake@indigovalleyfarm.com

Amaranth

Asian Greens

Asparagus

Apples

Basil

Green Beans

Beets

Beet Greens

Blackberries

Broccoli

Brussels Sprouts

Carrots

Cabbage

Cauliflower

Cilantro

Sweet Corn

Pop Corn

Broom Corn

Flint Corn (for cornmeal)

Cucumbers - including my favorite, Lemon

Daikon Radishes

Dill

Eggplant

Garlic

Green Garlic

Garlic Scapes

Greens - several varieties

Gourds

Herbs - several common culinary varieties

Kale

Kohlrabi

Lettuce - several varieties

Melons

Nettle

Onions

Snow Peas

Snap Peas

Peppers

Potatoes - several colorful varieties including fingerlings

Radishes

Raspberries

Spinach

Swiss Chard

Strawberries

Summer Squash - some gourmet Italian varieties

Tomatoes

Heirloom Tomatoes

Cherry Tomatoes

Watercress

Winter Squash

Zucchini

We grow all of our produce using low-tech, chemical-free methods... old-school.

Early Spring

We've been hearing robins for a couple of days now and spotted the first bluebirds today, and weren't they busy? Just like us. Taking advantage of the beautiful sunny, warm weather in mid-March. We've had seedlings and greens started indoors for weeks but just got some outdoor planting done this week. Lettuces, spinach and other greens are now planted out in some cold frames (which don't need much covering right now). Robyn also got several rows of Mammoth Melting snow peas in today. We grew this heirloom variety last year for the first time and they were wonderful. Although we enjoyed most raw, out of hand, they are also great in stir-fries. This may be about the earliest I got peas in the ground. Being untrod, the ground was soft and the cattle panels that served as tomato supports from last year were already in place so we went ahead and got them in. No digging, just poking them in. The first year I did a large crop (2005) I had my pea seed snowed on twice and worried a bit about them rotting, instead it was a great germination and yield. Fairly clear forecast for the next week so we plan to get a few more frames planted and more spring chores done.

We recently moved the cows to their new barn and they seem to love it. I should say new to them, the barn itself is very old, built around 1900, and massive. It does have a fairly modern milk parlor although we still do it the old-fashion way. With just Blossom in place, the 20 other unused stalls do make the place seem pretty empty. It took our 16 year old cow 2-3 days to learn her stall and she marches right back out when we unhook her collar. I nicknamed her the "oldest cow in the county" but clearly senility is not an issue. I give the other cows fresh hay at milking time knowing Blossom is queen of the herd and good at throwing her head around. Sure enough, once she marches out the others step aside or are pushed with a thrust of her head and she takes place front and center at the hay. Old? Maybe in the eyes of some.
The cows being at the new barn freed up our semi-finished, "get the cows through the winter" mini-barn. We discussed devoting a corner to the chickens and then creating a fenced run for them. They are usually fenced but are free roaming now. We let them out of their rotating pasture fence after we shut down the garden beds last Fall. I've raised chickens several years now and I prefer to see them fence-free but chickens love ripe tomatoes... and melons, peas, squash, greens, they scratch potatoes, I could tell stories. So its fence the chickens or fence the gardens. Only enough fence for one. But we did strike a pretty good balance and invested in enough fence to give them a nice large area for their small numbers. And as of right now they have free run of the barn, which they did before so... everyone seems happy.

Hope you are too.

Indigo Valley Farm

Tucked back into one of the many hollows of the Driftless region lies our Indigo Valley Farm. Ours is a small off grid family farm. We try to tred lightly on our little piece of this beautiful landscape, employing low-tech, chemical-free farm methods. Our purpose is to produce high quality, organic food for our local community. We are passionate about fresh, highly nutritious produce and are seeking folks who feel the same way.

We offer our produce via CSA subscription as we feel this provides us with a strong connection to the people who eat what we grow. It also works out to be a great deal for some of the best food money can buy.

Although our methods meet or exceed organic growing standards, we choose not pay for 3rd party certification. Instead, we strive to build a relationship of trust with our CSA partners and we encourage everyone to come and see just how things are done on the farm.