July 17th update

This week's market schedule

Weds - U of MN farmer's market
Saturday - Mnpls farmer's market and Mill City farmer's market
Sunday - Mnpls farmer's market

Sorry, not quite enough corn yet for the Thursday Nicollet mall market...next week for sure

the sweet corn is looking nice and healthy; about 2 weeks ahead of last season.
we're going to start selling Sunday, July 15th at the Minneapolis Farmers Market.

July 6th 2012

Adequate soil moisture has helped the crops thrive under the recent intense heat. Sweet corn and watermelon are at least 2 weeks ahead of last season. I expect to have corn to sell within the week and watermelon by August 1st.
Bees are doing well too. I'm expecting over 150 lbs of honey per hive.

vine crops are coming along nicely. this small squash field had excellent emergence. it'll start vining soon. we'll cultivate again in a week or so and that will be about it.
watermelon are already vining and setting blossoms.

June 15th crop report

Crops are well ahead of last year at this time. Plenty soggy out there right now. Emergence has been good. Its great to see pumpkins/squash/gourds emerge quickly and get a jump on the weeds. if it was dry enough we would rotary hoe them at this stage, but it is way way too wet. So, next week we'll start right in with cultivation.
The early corn, although very short, is healthy and beginning to show tassel. In a way, I really dont love to see it tassel this early, my back hurts just thinking about picking those cobs that will only be about a foot off the ground.
My guess is there will be little dabs of corn to sell around July 20th; maybe even earlier.
Transplants are doing well too; watermelon, cantaloupe, peppers, tomatoes.
Second photo is a small field of gourds. Lower photo is a field of pumpkins.

IH Super C

A very exciting day today. I bought this lovely machine last fall; brought it home today. Its a little older than myself. Runs well. It has a few issues that need addressing and will require some adjustment and modification for intended weed suppression tasks; I guess I wouldn't have it any other way. The belly-mount cultivator should make for nice close cultivation.

Spring;
New this year for anyone with South American cravings: Rocoto, Aji Amarillo and Huacatay.
Also, two new watermelon varieties, a few new squash and 5 new sweet corn varieties.
The weather is so nice that its pretty tempting to start working ground. I suppose we'll do a little this coming week, and start planting the following week. I don't like to get in too big a rush because if we get a cold hard rain it can really ruin early sweet corn plantings.
Transplanting will start around May 15th.
Planting is a little daunting at the start; I lose a little sleep. Gradually one develops a rhythm, and as the plants emerge and grow, the anxiety lessens.
I guess at this point its hard to imagine life without.