Thursday, April 28, 2011

FARM WEEK - Day 3



Eggs are plentiful.


Wednesday, April 27
cloudy, mild

I feel very slow and stiff today.
washed pots from transplanting
saw a big (pregnant?!) woodchuck in the front yard. It scooted into the wood shed.
moved chicken fence so their yard does not include flower garden and new vegetable patch
dishes, laundry, floor - a bit of a catch up
planted two beds of quick crops - radishes, turnips, cilantro, arugula, dill, Extra Dwarf pak choy, pea shoots
planted one bed of early greens - 3 kinds of mustard, turnip greens, cutting chicory, endive
cultivated garlic beds

I am seeing a fair number of worms this year! Very encouraging.
Some of the Giant Winter spinach survived the winter. Also some self-sown head lettuces. Susan's Red Bibb?

I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow morning so I can plant more. Lots more to do!



Copra onion seedlings. These will get planted next week.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

2011 CROPS

This a list of all crops for 2011. I am listing them in groups by type. (tomatoes, spinach, kale, etc.) and each variety will be followed by its "days to maturity", if known, (ie 70d) and its planting date(s). If the planting date is in a parenthesis then it was planted inside. If the date has a T next to it (like T4/25) that means I transplanted it on that date, either from indoors or from elsewhere in the garden. I'll add to the list from time to time, as I plant and I'll try to continue for the whole season this year.

As of today (April 27) it just has outdoor planting dates. I've been planting inside for months.


Arugula
Rocket 4/27
Beans – Pole - Goldmarie, Kentucky Wonder, Garden of Eden, Northeaster, Green Annellino, Yellow Annellino, Scarlet Runner
Beans – Bush - Anellino di Trento, Provider, Royal Burgandy, Dragon Tongue
Beans – Shell Pole
Beans - Shell Bush
Beets - Early Wonder Tall Top
Broccoli – Purple Peacock, Apollo, Fiesta
Brussel Sprouts – Rubine
Cabbage - Melissa, Deadon, Ruby Perfection
Carrot
Cauliflower - Snow Crown
Celery - Tango
Chard
Chives - Chinese
Chinese Cabbage
Cutting Chicory - Endive Riccia – Romanesco Da Taglio
Collards - Champion
Corn – Painted Mountain
Corn Salad - Vit 4/27
Cowpeas - California Blackeye
Cucumber - Slicing - Diva
Cucumber - Pickling - Cross Country, Wautoma
Eggplant - Millionaire, Orient Express, Galine
Endive
Escarole Blonde Full Heart 4/27
Roman Cutting 4/27
Fava beans - Windsor
Fennel - Zefa Fino
Garlic - Sevilla Sunset (for 2012)
Kale - Winterbor, Red Russian, White Russian, Toscano, Red Chidori
Kolrabi - Kolibri
Leeks - Lexton, Giant Musselburgh
Lettuce – Head - Forellenschluss
Lettuce – Head -Bibb - Buttercrunch
Lettuce – Leaf -
Black Seeded Simpson 4/25
Merlot 4/25
Tango,
Red Fire,
Green Salad Bowl
Red Salad Bowl 4/25
Gentilina 4/25
Catalogna,
Lollo Rossa
Mesclun -
Lime Streaked Mizuna,
Endive Frisee Ruffec 4/25
White Russian Kale,
Red Russian Kale 4/25
Wild Fennel,
Golden Frilled Mustard 4/25
Bull's Blood Beet,
Mizuna,
Wrinkled Crinkled Cress 4/25
Ruby Streaks Mustard,
Scarlet Frills Mustard,
Chinese Thick Stem Mustard
Red Garnet Mustard 4/25
Mustard Greens -
Osaka Purple 4/27
Green Wave 4/27
Garnet Giant
Tainong Emperor Heading 4/27
Okra - Millionaire
Onions – Bunching/Walking - Shimonita, Guardsman, Red Welsh, Flagpole
Onions - Redwing, Copra, Ailsa Craig
Pak Choy - Extra Dwarf Pak Choy 4/27
Parsnip - Javelin
Peas - Shell -Green Arrow, Maestro 4/26
Peas - Snow - Mammoth Melting Sugar
Peas - Snap - Sugarsnap 4/26
Pea Shoots - Dwarf Grey Sugar 4/27
Peppers – Hot - El Jefe, Lemon Drop, Hungarian Hot Wax, Pasilla Bajo, Hot Portugal, Holy Moly, Ancho Magnifico
Peppers – Sweet - Ace, Golden Marconi, Astor, Red Marconi, Sweet Chocolate, Orange Bell
Potatoes
Pumpkin - Big – Howden
Pumpkin - Pie – Long Pie
Radicchio
Radish – Summer -
D'Avignon 4/27
Cherriette 4/27
Radish - Winter - Misato Rose
Soybeans - Envy, Butterbeans
Spinach - Tyee, Giant Winter, New Zealand
Squash – Summer - Zephyr, Romanesco, Crookneck, Rampicante/Tromboncino, Bennings Green Tint Scallop
Squash – Winter – Marina di Chioggia, Delicata, Burgess Buttercup, Galeux d'Eysines, Jumbo Pink Banana, PA Dutch Crookneck, Sibley, Sweet Mama, Amish Pie, Guatemalan Blue Banana, Musquee de Provence
Tomatillo - Green
Tomato – Cherry/Small -Black Cherry, Super Snow White, Lemon Drop, Black Prince, Sungold, Black Pear, Jaune Flamme, Pink Ping Pong
Tomato – Paste - Black Plum, Amish Paste, Striped Roman, Orange Banana, Speckled Roman, Roman Candle, Gilbertie
Tomato – Salad - Paul Robeson, Pruden's Purple, Sunkist, Black Zebra, Pearl's Yellow Pink, Sorrento, Rose D'Berne, Amazon Chocolate, Mortgage Lifter, Everetts Rusty Oxheart
Turnip - Summer -
Hakarei 4/27
Turnip greens - Rapa Senza Testa 4/27



FLOWERS
Calendula - Resina
Cosmos - Sea Shells, Sensation Mix
Drumstick
Lisianthus - Pink Cinderella
Marigold - Lemon Gem, Kilimanjaro, Crackerjack Mix, Harlequin
Moonflower
Nasturium - Jewel Mix
Sunflowers –
Strawflowers - Mix
Sweet Peas - Old Spice, Henry Eckford, Blanche Ferry, Beaujolais
Sweet William
Tithonia - Torch
Verbena boniensis
Zinnia – Red Spider



HERBS
Basil -Thai, Lettuce Leaf, Rosie, Red Rubin
Borage
Cilantro 4/27
Dill - Hercules 4/27
Parsley – Curly -Forest Green
Sorrel


**************
2010

This a list of all crops for 2010. I am listing them in groups by type. (tomatoes, spinach, kale, etc.) and each variety will be followed by its "days to maturity", if known, (ie 70d) and its planting date(s). If the planting date is in a parenthesis then it was planted inside. I'll add to the list from time to time, as I plant. Depending on who you are, this could be riveting or incredibly boring. This is the kind of thing I love.

(Includes what has been planted through May 6; lots more to follow!)

ARUGULA
Rocket 47d 4/4 4/15 5/5
Sylvetta 50d 4/15

ASIAN VEGETABLES
Chinese Broccoli - Candlestick Gai Lan 4/21


BEETS
Bull's Blood 5/2
Chioggia 4/2 5/2
Flat of Egypt 4/2 5/2
Golden 5/2
Red Ace 4/2
Touchstone Gold 4/2 5/2

BRASSICAS
BRUSSEL SPROUTS
Diablo (4/29)
Falstaff (4/29)
Franklin (4/29)
Long Island Improved (4/29)
Roodnerf (4/29)
CAULIFLOWER
Fremont 62d (3/12)
Chedder (3/12)
BROCCOLI
Gypsy 58d (3/12)
Beaumont 75d (3/12)
Veronica 85d (4/28)
CABBAGE
Deadon 105d (4/28)
Late Flat Dutch 100d (4/28)
Ruby Ball 78d (3/12)
Savoy Ace 70d/80d? (3/27)
Savoy Perfection 90d (4/28)
Storage #4 95d (4/28)
KOLRABI
Gigante 130d (4/29)
Kolibri (3/12)
Korridor (3/12) 4/11
Winner 45d (3/28) 4/11

CARROTS
Adelaide 4/2 5/2
Amarillo 70d 4/2
Mokum 54d 4/2 5/2
Napoli 58d 4/2
Nelson 56d 4/2 5/2
Purple Haze 73d 4/2 5/2
Yellow Sun 5/2


CELERY
Tango (3/12)

FAVA BEANS
Grand Violetto 4/12
Supersette 100d 4/12
Windsor 4/12 4/23



FENNEL
Mantovano (3/17)

GREENS
COLLARDS
Champion 60d (3/17) 4/15

CORN SALAD/MACHE
French 4/40
Jade 50d 4/30
Vit 50d 4/30


ESCAROLE
Bordeaux 65d (3/17)

KALE
Breedy's Camden (3/17) 4/15
Fizz 40d (3/17) 4/15


Rainbow Lacinato (3/17) 4/15
Red Chidori 4/15
Red Russian 50d (3/17) 4/15
Tuscan 62d (3/17) 4/15
White Russian (3/17) 4/15
Winter Red 4/15

NEW ZEALAND SPINACH 4/30

SPINACH
Giant Winter fall 09 4/5 5/1
Joker Asian 4/5
Tyee 4/5 5/1


EGGPLANT (3/12)
Listada de Gandia 80-90d
Ping Tung 70d
Millionaire 54d
Thai Long Green
Thai Long Purple

KOLRABI
Korridor 42d 4/11
Kolibri 4/12
Winner 45d 4/11


LETTUCE
HEAD LETTUCE
BUTTERHEAD
Flashy Butter Oak (4/29)
Grandpa Admire's (4/29)
Key Lime 63d 4/20 (4/29)
Marvel of Four Seasons (3/5)
May Queen (3/17)
North Pole 50d (3/31)
Red Butterworth 4/20 (4/29)
Red Ridinghood 65d 4/20
Trocadero (3/17) (3/31) 4/20
Yugoslavian Red Butterhead (3/5)
BIBB
Susan's Red (3/5) (3/17) (4/29)
Buttercrunch 65d (3/5) (3/17) (3/31) (4/29)
Summer Bibb 62d (4/29)
Speckled Amish 55d (3/31)
ROMAINE
Cimmaron (3/5)
Claremont 46d 4/20 (4/29)
Crisp Mint 70d (3/5) 4/20
Dazzle 35d (4/29)
Forellenschuss 50d (3/5) (3/17) (3/31) 4/20
Jericho 55-60d (4/29)
Plato II 53d 4/20
Red Rosie 56d 4/20
Rouge D'Hiver (3/17)
Dazzle (3/5) (3/17)
Tin Tin 70d (3/31) (4/29)
CRISPHEAD
Anuenue 50d (4/29)
Ciucca (3/17) (3/31) 4/20
Crystal 4/20
Reine des Glaces (3/5) 4/20 (4/29)

Continuity (3/5) 4/20
Nevada 48d (4/29)
New York 85d (3/31)
Summertime 68d (4/29)
Webb's Wonderful (3/5) (3/17) (4/29)

LEAF LETTUCE
Black Seeded Simpson 46d 4/2 4/15 5/5
Cracoviensis 4/2
De Morges Braun 64d 4/2
Gentilina 4/2
Italienisher 55d 4/2
Lollo Bionda 46d 4/2
Lollo de Vino 56d 4/2
Mascara 4/2
New Red Fire 51d 4/2
Red Sails 45d 4/2 4/15 5/5
Red Salad Bowl 28/51d 4/15
Revolution 4/2
Rouge D'Hiver 28/58d 4/15
Royal Oak Leaf 50d 4/2
Ruby 4/2
Salad Bowl 28/49d 4/15 5/5
Tango 45d 4/2

MESCLUN
(My mesclun includes these items plus whatever else is tender and tasty, changing with the season. Kale, chard, mustard, spinach, radish thinnings, and more.)

Agano Mustard 4/16
Chicoria Spadona da Taglo 4/16
Chicoria Zuccherina Di Trieste 4/16
Endive Frisee Neos 45d 4/16
Giant Garnet Mustard 21/45d 4/16
Golden Frills Mustard 21/45d 4/16
Komatsuma Tendergreen 4/16
Mizuna 21/40d 4/16
Purple Mizuna 21/40 4/16
Red Komatsuma 21/31 4/16
Red Russian kale 25/50d 4/16
Ruby Streaks Mustard 21/40d 4/16
Senposai 40d 4/16
Upland Cress 50d 4/16
White Russian Kale 4/16
Wrinkled Crrinkled Cress 4/16
Yukina Savoy 21/45d 4/16


OKRA
Millionaire 50d (3/17)


ONIONS
Giant Musselburgh Leeks (3/5)
Prizetaker Leek (3/12)
Shimonita Asian Onions (3/5)

PARSNIPS
Half Long Guernesey 4/4
Javelin 4/4
Andover ___? 5/5

PAK CHOY
Extra Dwarf 4/21

PEAS
Canoe 53d 4/21
Carouby De Maussane snap peas 4/11
Dwarf Grey Sugar (for shoots) 32d 4/20
Green Arrow 65d 4/12
Maestro 4/12 4/25
Mr. Big 58d 4/11
Oregon Giant Snow 4/25


PEPPERS
HOT PEPPERS (3/12)
Ancho Magnifico
El Jefe
Thai Red Chili
Pasilla Bajio
Georgia Flame
Romanian Hot
Hungarian Hot Wax
Big Bomb
Joe's Cayenne

SWEET PEPPERS (3/12)
King of the North
Quadrato D'Asti Rosso
Quadrato D'Asti Gialo
Gourmet
Buran
Lipstick
Orange Bell
Wonder Bell
Jimmy Nardello
Sweet Chocolate
Ace
Yummy
Antohi Romanian
Chervena Chuska

POTATOES
Banana Fingerling 4/2 (bin)
Kennebec 5/5
Red Norland 4/2 (bin)
Superior 4/2 (bin)
Yukon Gold 5/5

RADISHES
Brightest Breakfast 28d 5/2 5/5
Crunchy Royale 28d 4/2 5/2 5/5
D'Avigon 21d 4/2 5/2
Ravenello 19d 4/2 4/4 5/2 5/5
Roodkapje 4/2
Zlata 30 4/2


SQUASH
SUMMER
Black Zucchini 50d 5/6
Costada Romanesco 52d (3/28) 5/6
Horn of Plenty 45d (3/28)
Magda 48d (3/28) 5/6
Trompacino 60d 5/6
Zephyr 54d (3/28) 5/6

TOMATOES (3/17)
QUICK
Beaverlodge 55d
Early Cascade 62d
Moskvich 60d
Red Sun 72d

PASTE
Amish Paste
Black Plum
Polish Linguisa
Scatoline
Striped Roman
Super Marzano

SMALL
Black Cherry
Blondkopfchen
Green Grape
Peacevine
Sungold
Sweet Million
Yellow Pear
Zebra Cherry

SLICING
Aunt Ruby's German Green
Bear Creek
Black From Tula
Black Giant
Carmello
Cherokee Purple
Crinkovic
Dad's Sunset
Green Zebra
Malakuhitovya
Marmande
Pantano Romanesco
Paul Robeson
Pink Grapefruit
Pruden's Purple
Santa Crus Kada
Soldacki
Topaz
Violet Jasper

TOMATILLOS (3/17)
Verde
Aunt Molly's Ground Cherry
Pineapple Ground Cherry

TURNIPS
Gold Ball 45d 4/23
Hakurei 38d 4/4 4/23


FLOWERS
Cosmos -
Rubenza (3/28)
Sea Shells (3/28)
Sensation (3/28)
Old Spice Sweet Peas (3/5) 4/12

Sweet William (3/5)
Canterbury Bells (3/12)
Aureus Yellow Lupine (3/17)
Zulu Prince Cape Daisy (3/17)
Gaillardia Dazzler (3/17)
Ageratum (3/17)
Evening Scented Stock (3/17)
Marigolds -
Crackerjack (3/28)
Harlequin (3/28)
Lemon Gem (3/28)
Orange Hawaii (3/28)
Moonflower (3/27)
Nasturiums - Dwarf Jewel 55-65d 5/1
Sunflowers 3/20
Calendula 3/20
Centaurea 3/20
Zinnias -
Benary's Giant 3/20 (4/21)
Candy Cane (4/21)
Giant Cactus Flowered (4/21)
Red Spider (4/21)
State Fair 90d (4/21)

HERBS
Italian Giant Parsley (3/5)
Basil -
Finissimo Verde A Palla Basil (3/28)
Genovese Basil (3/28)
Lemon Drop Basil (3/28)
Red Lettuce Leaf (4/29)
Red Rubin Basil (3/28)
Sacred Basil (3/28)
Borage 5/2
Cilantro 4/4, 5/5
Dill - Hercules 4/4
Dukat 50-60d 5/5

FARM WEEK - Day 2



(kale and collards waiting to be set in)


Tuesday, April 26
cloudy in the morning, sun came out for a bit in the mid afternoon, warm, 80d. in Greenfield

bath
called about tiller
called about manure
checked chicken fence line
pruned pepper seedlings
spread composted manure to two beds
set out cauliflower, red cabbage and broccoli
set out kale and collards and Flagpole scallions
planted 1 1/2 # shell peas
went to town
planted 1/2 # Sugar Snap peas in PYO area
set up pea fence and found some more snarly pea fence that needs untangling (!)
pulled last year's kale from this year's leaf lettuce/sweet pepper area
figured out where to plant earlies, spinach, leaf lettuce, first head lettuces, favas
read about compost at Bear Path Farm in Whately


3 hour nap on sofa



(sowing peas)


(planted peas)

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

APRIL FARM WEEK - Laura stays home to play in the dirt

I like to give myself the gift of many days in a row at home so I can focus on the farm. Being able to plant and prune and do whatever needs doing for as long as I want to each day makes a big difference in what I can accomplish. Plus, I love it.
This year I have two Farm Weeks planned for spring planting, one this week and one in late May. I hope to set up another one in the fall to clean up the garden and to prepare the earth for next year. It feels so good.



(Daffodils at last!)


Monday, April 25
cloudy, warm, sprinkles all afternoon

checked seedlings, trimmed alliums
checked planting schedule and made an indoor and outdoor list
shifted brassicas and mesclun to their planting out locations
shifted dianthus and alliums to outdoors/tunnel for hardening off
set out mesclun and leaf lettuce plants and planted more of the same
set out 30 cauliflower plants and 12 head lettuce plants
planted calendula resina by the chicken coop
figured out where to plant the kale, soy beans, and the second early broccolis and cabbages
pruned the fall raspberries and the black raspberries
pruned the red currants




(A young Veronica cauliflower plant. Or maybe it's a young Veronica broccoli plant. The seed catalogs don't agree on the name but it will be beautiful, big, lime green and delicious.)


the Sylvetta arugula survived the winter
lots of dianthus/Sweet William made it too

rested



(Lots more work for another day!)