Pehling Bay Farm

Farming without Rain

2009-07-29T05:03:00.000-07:00

Each week, Joe and I are able to do what most farmers can not, met the folks that eat thier food. We share cooking tips, comment on the weather, and discuss local events. Because of this, I have refrained from writing about farm life. However, members have encouraged us to write more. So I will attempt to keep a weekly log of events at the farm.

Rain...it's weather we have not seen all month. Regardless of good management, the pasture has dried up. The sheep are in their loafing yard eating the winter stock of hay. If it rained tomorrow, there's a chance we could graze again in two weeks. The vegetables are fairing better. The sprinklers are rotating through the garden and everyone gets a good drink. It's not the same as rain water, but it keeps the plants alive.

The cool weather has been beneficial for the cole crops and chard. It has not been as helpful for the warm weather plants such as tomatoes and summer squash. The tomatoes are loaded with fruit, but we need some warmer weather before they turn in mass.

On a more positive note, the lambs are thriving. Most of the credit can be giving to our Corriedale ram 'Giles' who was purchased last fall. I'm excited to see the lambs that his offspring will give us next spring.

Time to eat breakfast and begin morning chores. I'll be waiting for the rain.

Garden in June

2009-06-22T05:58:00.000-07:00

A beautiful foggy morning

Peas are almost ready to harvest

This is the first year we've grown
Copenhagen Market cabbage. We are impressed with its fast growth and appearance. I'm sure it will become a staple in our garden.

The yellow blooming plants on the left is mustard. The flowers attract dozens of beneficial insects and lures pest insects away from food crops.

Random Photos at the Farm

2009-06-10T06:12:00.000-07:00

Pigs enjoying outer leaves of Chinese Cabbage

The 'girls' with Bradly the rooster

2009-05-29T05:41:00.000-07:00

Check out our recipe blog at pehlingbayfarmrecipes.blogspot.com.

There's a great recipe with photos for Chinese Cabbage with Old Fashion Bacon. There will be Chinese Cabbage in next week's shares.

First CSA Day

2009-05-23T13:57:00.000-07:00

Although we had only a couple Saturday morning pick-ups due to the holiday weekend, it was still fun to pick the first greens of the season.

Tuesday members, here's a sneak peak of some of what you'll be getting this week. Radish varieties are cherry bell, purple plum, and french breakfast. Greens include spinach, micro greens, beet greens, mustard greens, and turnip greens. And what would spring be if there were not green onions?

Mushroom Inoculation Kit Arrived!

2009-05-05T05:06:00.000-07:00

Joe is growing specialty mushrooms this year. We have a number of trees that need to be thinned out of the grove so the mature oaks have more room to thrive. So instead of wasting the logs, they will be used to produce shiitake and oysters. The kit included 500 plugs, so we should get a good amount. We don't expect shiitakes this year, but we should get plenty of oysters. If all goes well, CSA members may find fresh mushrooms in their shares. You can visit the supplier at http://www.fieldforest.net/store/index.php?main_page=page&id=3&chapter=0

A Few Garden Photos

2009-04-29T06:01:00.000-07:00

We've been busy in the garden planting cool season crops. The row covers are turning out to be a wise investment. The cabbage and broccoli are growing nicely underneath.

The horse chestnut in our back yard is beginning to leaf out.

Shearing Days

2009-04-11T16:00:00.000-07:00

During the last two days we shorn about half of our sheep. The rest we'll finish next weekend. Enjoy the photos of Joe hard at work.

I also managed to get into the garden after Joe was too tired to keep shearing. The first sowing of swiss chard, spinach, kale, and radishes are in.

More calves and gardening week

2009-04-06T05:50:00.000-07:00

Two more calves arrived yesterday. One's a bit shy, but both are have settled in nicely.

This is the week! The garden should be dry enough to install pea fencing, row covers and low tunnels. If the weather cooperates I'll also plant the cold season crops such as onion sets, spinach, radishes, and a few others.

Most of the cole crops under the grow lights are large and healthy, ready to go out into the garden. Just a couple more weeks....

2009-04-01T15:45:00.001-07:00

Thank you CSA members, we are officially full for the 2009 growing season. The interest in our farm and food has been amazing. We are looking forward to the upcoming spring and providing members will a wonderful variety of produce and other tasty goodies.

Bull Calves Arrived

2009-03-27T07:23:00.000-07:00

Two bull calves arrived a couple days ago, thanks to our Eastern MN organic dairy farming friends. These half Buelingo, half dairy bottle calves will make a nice addition to our pasture this summer. A few more might be arriving in the future. Both are adjusting well.

2009-03-20T06:21:00.000-07:00

The seedlings are happily growing in the basement. It won't be long until the cole crops are transplanted into the garden!

First Spring Lambs

2009-03-16T05:12:00.000-07:00

The first spring lambs were born yesterday morning! These colorful twin girls are 75% Shetland and 25% mutt. We expect to have a few more births in the next week, while the rest of the lambs will be born in April.