As we walked around looking like complete lunatics at dusk yesterday - watering cans in hand during a break in the rain - we were treated to the sight of a barn owl hunting over the field.  We were dispersing our second application of predatory nematodes to deal with the pesky “e-words” (earwigs), but I’m sure the neighbors thought we had lost it.

After finally diving down into a thick patch of unmowed vegetation, the owl stayed on the ground for a while and then departed to the patch of trees on the southeast boundary of our property, into the same thicket where the red-shouldered hawk (see photos) launches from.

We have been so happy to notice an increase in the number and diversity of wildlife since we settled here just under a year and a half ago.  Previously, all four acres had been continuously grazed by horses, so plant height/structure/diversity were minimal.  We’ve put in some native shrubs and trees (which still need to grow a bit to be useful for wildlife), we’re letting some pasture areas get a little long, there are frogs inhabiting last year’s strawberry patch, and birds are everywhere.  Diversity is good.  More animals to eat the abundant mice, slugs and e-words.  Red-shouldered hawks are very unlikely to predate chickens.  (Lucky it’s not a red-tailed hawk!)

Anyway.  I guess my thought is that while we are working “day and night” to improve this property, so are the wildlife.  Hawks, owls - eat as many rodents as you like.  Sparrows, swallows, bluebirds, etc. - the bug buffet is open.  Hmm, though, the robins sure do eat lots of earthworms…

Like everyone else, we’re drenched.  But was it as crazy sunny for you guys last weekend as it was here?  Suddenly, loads of lettuce and arugula were ready to take to market, which was great.  We nearly sold out, despite the fact that it - yep - rained.

With the greenhouse work completed for the moment, I find myself waiting for the next dry stretch.  In the last few breaks in the weather, we were able to weed garlic & strawberries, begin fruit tree planting, and plant out the remainder of our extra-early beds.  I had prepped and mulched over some beds in the fall, and we have just finished seeding, transplanting, and row-covering these beds.  There are two successions of peas and carrots that will likely be ready for the first CSA shares… Read the rest of this article »

We had our first CSA pick up yesterday which was very exciting and a bit anxiety producing…. But all in all it went really well.  We only have ten members, which feels like the perfect amount at the moment.  Our first box contained little gem romaine lettuce, pac choi, lacinato and red russian kale, easter egg radishes, salad mix, a bundle of bergamont mint, a garden bouquet of daisies and geraniums, and a pair of beeswax candles that we make through the winter.  It was wonderful to have… Read the rest of this article »

This is an amazing year for us at Hand Sown Homegrown Heritage Farm.  We’ve been blessed with a great many of new experiences this year.  One that comes to mind is the experience of farming daily with my lovely and beautiful wife.  I am privileged  to have a farming partner who works extremely hard, is fun to be around all day, happens to be cute, and doubles as my wife.  Last year Sara worked her final and eighth year as a full-time nanny and helped the farm at every other single moment. … Read the rest of this article »

bed prep for onions/leeks transplants under agribond (notice the plastic is blown off our row cover) snow in March Farming in the wonderful Pacific Northwest is a good way to become mental.  We love it; the weather really keeps things interesting and your “plans” ever changing.  Here in Washington State it rains in spring.   We are hunters and hopefuls for a mildly sunny, dry day.  Last season in a single day we experienced sun, rain, sleet, and snow.  This year back in February we experienced… Read the rest of this article »

I went to the last Tuesday market in Nevada City today.  It was a busy market.  So many people came out.  We haven’t had such a busy market all year.  It was nice to end it with plenty of shoppers. For my part, I brought lots of kale, chard, eggplant, peppers, lettuce mix, winter squash, cherry tomatos, peas, basil, celery and broccoli. It was a nice close to the season for me.  Although, I have a solid week of work before the season is over for me. Honestly, these last two months have… Read the rest of this article »

This week Ryan and I are harvesting and carrying out farm duties.  Cristen is away for the week, hiking with her special guy friend in Oregon. Ry and I didn’t get the earliest start today, so we had only a few hours to harvest for the market and do some lettuce mix/cilantro/dill/spinach planting that I wanted to get in to be ready for the last couple of markets around here in late October.  We were rushing a lot, eating lunch on the way to the market, but we got everything done that we wanted… Read the rest of this article »

After 2 long months of hot weather, it appears that we are in store for more hot weather.  That means, more irrigation, more aphids, more tomatoes, and less salad mix. My season started in February, full on.  I just completed month 6 in the season.  The CSA still has 2 more months, while the markets go for another 3 around here.  If I had more space I would be a little more excited about the fall, but as it is, there isn’t much room for a huge fall thing.  I am making… Read the rest of this article »

Now we have completed week nine of the CSA.  This week we offered: tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers, squash, carrots, lettuce mix, turnips, garlic, sweet corn!, kale and bulbing fennel. It was a good week, and next week is looking great also, with potatoes and leeks on the menu.  It seems a little out of season to have potatoes and leeks, because I love potato-leek soup a lot, but, hey, those will be ready. Out at the farm, the tomatoes are really productive, yet could be looking better. … Read the rest of this article »