The first day of the new year and all’s well at the farm. The sun is shining and it is about 35 degrees outside, pretty warm for this time of year. There’s a very strong westerly wind, but all the animals are out and enjoying the sunshine and the nice weather.
Today is the beginning of an annual tradition for us. We’ve decided to begin our seed sorting for the upcoming season and to do so on the first day of each year. It’s one of the most enjoyable and exciting things we do in the winter.
I have the seeds all laid out on the dining room table in groupings of leaf, cold, root, cucurbits, brassica, mais, etc. It is sooo exciting! We’ll figure out how much we have of everything and then how much we used last season. That will give us a good idea of how much to order for this season.
We have our favorite seed catalogues on hand…Seed Savers Exchange, Baker Creek Heirlooms, Fedco, Shumways, and Johnny’s. I love the ones with the most pictures. We always come up with a huge wish list of seed and then have to take a reality check with the money in the bank…usually cutting our huge list down to a quarter of it. But, it is the planning and dreaming that is so much fun!
Again this year I am reworking my garden that has the picket fence around it. This occurs every other year usually, with mixed results. The fence needs repairs and propped up, the soil needs compost, the gnomes need respecting. A lot to do in there. But, the dreaming is the most exciting part. I plan to grow more herbs, some garden leeks, and my favorite heirloom tomatoes (German Howard), as well as some other interesting things and some nice flowers.
In about a month and a half we start our syrup season, Mother Nature willing. Firewood collecting began this past fall, but there is a lot more to collect. Last year we had a delightful visit from Lynn Miller of Small Farm Journal. He did a really nice write up in this last issue. If you would like to know more about our farm and see some nice syruping pics, check out the Journal. We love it for all the fantastic homesteading and horse information…more of which we are working slowly toward.
Here’s wishing all of you a terrific new year!
Happy New Year 2012, and here's to planting seeds of all manner for the future! May it be a great one to you all, full of fun, food, friends, and family. =)
ReplyDeleteI have on my 2012 bucket list (with the understanding about Sweetie) that I get to come see the farm this year. It's been a long time and I'm anxious to walk the grounds and see all the new stuff (to me).
ReplyDeleteHappy new year to the two best (uh, three) farmers I know.