Yes, spring is on the way! Saw the first flock of robins in my neigborhood this morning, and a bright red cardinal was sitting in our apple tree singing away and claiming his spring territory.
We've been staying busy, sowing and getting otherwise ready for spring! Finished pruning the apple trees last week, and ordered some new trees - pears, and cherries, and heirloom apples. Picked up our lime and bonemeal last week to incorporate into the field. Bought seed potatoes, too. As soon as the soil is dry enough, I plan to get the tiller out and start planting potatoes and the young lettuce transplants that are in the greenhouse right now.
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Just got an email recently about things to do this time of year. It looks like now is the time to get a step ahead of pesky weeds. Of course, that's always on my to-do list. Mulching perenial and herbaceous plants now will help shade out weed seeds that want to germinate later. That means I should make sure I get the mulch on the apsparagus and garlic soon! (something I've meant to do already.) I could use pre-emergent herbicides up near the house for crabgrass and such now, but I plan to seed in some spare grass seed before long to fill in bare spots. So far, I haven't found a source for certified organic pre-emergent herbicides, but I'm on the lookout.
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Tuesday, February 24
Wednesday, February 11
Henderson County Farmland Preservation Meetings
Henderson County Farmland Preservation Meetings
Interested in preserving our agriculture heritage and the farm land in Henderson County? If so come and attend one of the following meetings: Whether you are still active in agriculture, just an interested citizen, or an active farmer; these meetings will provide an opportunity to give input to keeping our agricultural lands sustainable.
February 17
Fruitland Baptist Church
Basement Fellowship Hall (or Family Life Center)
150 College Road
Turn north off Hwy 64 onto Gilliam Road
Turn right onto College Road
February 19
Refuge Baptist Church
30 Oleta Road
685-8544
Intersection of Dana/Oleta and Upward/Ridge roads
February 24
Mills River Elementary School
96 School House Road
Between Boyleston Hwy and Banner Farm Rd
February 26
Crab CreekCommunity Center
53 Jeter Mountain Road
Off Crab Creek Road
All of the above meetings will begin at 7:00. Complimentary dinner will be served at 6:00. Those wanting dinner will need to RSVP at least three days prior to the relevant meeting. RSVP to me at 697-5777 or john@carolinamountain.org No RSVP is necessary to attend the meeting. All residents of Henderson County are welcome to attend the meetings
March 4th. (3:00 p.m.)
Mountain Horticulture Crops Research and Extension Center
745 Old Fanning Bridge Rd, Mills River.
This meeting also open to Transylvania County residents to discuss the same issue there.
Green River meeting TBA. If you wish to attend the Green River meeting please let us know and the information will be shared with you as soon as this meeting is scheduled.
For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.
Interested in preserving our agriculture heritage and the farm land in Henderson County? If so come and attend one of the following meetings: Whether you are still active in agriculture, just an interested citizen, or an active farmer; these meetings will provide an opportunity to give input to keeping our agricultural lands sustainable.
February 17
Fruitland Baptist Church
Basement Fellowship Hall (or Family Life Center)
150 College Road
Turn north off Hwy 64 onto Gilliam Road
Turn right onto College Road
February 19
Refuge Baptist Church
30 Oleta Road
685-8544
Intersection of Dana/Oleta and Upward/Ridge roads
February 24
Mills River Elementary School
96 School House Road
Between Boyleston Hwy and Banner Farm Rd
February 26
Crab CreekCommunity Center
53 Jeter Mountain Road
Off Crab Creek Road
All of the above meetings will begin at 7:00. Complimentary dinner will be served at 6:00. Those wanting dinner will need to RSVP at least three days prior to the relevant meeting. RSVP to me at 697-5777 or john@carolinamountain.org No RSVP is necessary to attend the meeting. All residents of Henderson County are welcome to attend the meetings
March 4th. (3:00 p.m.)
Mountain Horticulture Crops Research and Extension Center
745 Old Fanning Bridge Rd, Mills River.
This meeting also open to Transylvania County residents to discuss the same issue there.
Green River meeting TBA. If you wish to attend the Green River meeting please let us know and the information will be shared with you as soon as this meeting is scheduled.
For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.
Monday, February 9
taking my own advice...
Well, here is my pruning progress on the apple trees. First picture is after a hard days work, and believe it or not, this big old tree looks significantly better than when I started. Proof is in the pile of limbs on the ground.
Friday, February 6
time think about fruit trees...
February is a good month for pruning fruit trees, blueberries, and other dormant small fruits. I'll be working on that this month.
If you've got plants to prune, and aren't sure what to do, google will find an endless supply of links. NC State has some very good sites.
For lots of info on apple, and peach/plum pruning check out:
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/ag29.html
If you're like me, and have some young trees to work with, check out the following for some basic pictures (perhaps less overwhelming than the first link): http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/fruit_veg_diary/fruit_veg_mini_project_september_2d_apple.asp
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If you're adding trees or bushes this year, think about some edible landscaping! Apple trees, and especially blueberries, are relatively easy to grow. I get blueberry bushes from http://www.danfinch.com/berrys.htm
If you're interested in heirloom apple tree seedlings and need a recommendation, I get mine from a really nice couple, Ron and Suzanne Joyner. Their website is at http://bighorsecreekfarm.com/ There are so many varieties to choose from! They take orders until March 1st, do all the grafting work in the spring, and have the trees ready for you in the fall, which is when you would want to get them in the ground.
If you've got plants to prune, and aren't sure what to do, google will find an endless supply of links. NC State has some very good sites.
For lots of info on apple, and peach/plum pruning check out:
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/ag29.html
If you're like me, and have some young trees to work with, check out the following for some basic pictures (perhaps less overwhelming than the first link): http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/fruit_veg_diary/fruit_veg_mini_project_september_2d_apple.asp
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you're adding trees or bushes this year, think about some edible landscaping! Apple trees, and especially blueberries, are relatively easy to grow. I get blueberry bushes from http://www.danfinch.com/berrys.htm
If you're interested in heirloom apple tree seedlings and need a recommendation, I get mine from a really nice couple, Ron and Suzanne Joyner. Their website is at http://bighorsecreekfarm.com/ There are so many varieties to choose from! They take orders until March 1st, do all the grafting work in the spring, and have the trees ready for you in the fall, which is when you would want to get them in the ground.
Tuesday, February 3
the new year is well underway!
It was supposed to be cloudy ALL day yesterday for groundhog day, according to the forecasts, but I've heard rumors the groundhog saw his shadow and thinks there'll be more winter. But what do groundhogs know? I'm feeling like spring is just around the corner regardless...
We are already planting things in our rented greenhouse space, are exploring new sales outlets (more on that later), and trying to get a few things set up at the farm to help things run more smoothly during the busy season. I have to say my neigbor Mary deserves her fair share of credit. She's been helping out with the work, and is part of the planning too! If you haven't had the pleasure of meeting her yet, perhaps you'll see her at a few of the markets this year. If you buy any cut flowers from us, you may be interested to know they'll be mostly from her yard this year. We're planning for a decent sized cut flower garden over her way...
Market notes: Just got word the Flat Rock Tailgate Market opens May 7th this year, the first Thursday in May. Looking foward to seeing you there!
In other notes: I'm renovating the website a bit, and hoping to expand its usefulness beyond the produce lists. Probably said this last year too, but I really do hope to post more recipes and menu ideas. I also plan to put up general announcements that might be of interest, especially for local workshops and seminars, and perhaps public food safety notices.
I'll still be keeping the email list going. If you'd like to receive a brief notice when the website is updated, or if you'd like to decline the email alerts, please let me know and I'll take care of it right away.
Stay warm!
-Mollie
We are already planting things in our rented greenhouse space, are exploring new sales outlets (more on that later), and trying to get a few things set up at the farm to help things run more smoothly during the busy season. I have to say my neigbor Mary deserves her fair share of credit. She's been helping out with the work, and is part of the planning too! If you haven't had the pleasure of meeting her yet, perhaps you'll see her at a few of the markets this year. If you buy any cut flowers from us, you may be interested to know they'll be mostly from her yard this year. We're planning for a decent sized cut flower garden over her way...
Market notes: Just got word the Flat Rock Tailgate Market opens May 7th this year, the first Thursday in May. Looking foward to seeing you there!
In other notes: I'm renovating the website a bit, and hoping to expand its usefulness beyond the produce lists. Probably said this last year too, but I really do hope to post more recipes and menu ideas. I also plan to put up general announcements that might be of interest, especially for local workshops and seminars, and perhaps public food safety notices.
I'll still be keeping the email list going. If you'd like to receive a brief notice when the website is updated, or if you'd like to decline the email alerts, please let me know and I'll take care of it right away.
Stay warm!
-Mollie
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