Hello Spring?

Digging potatoes with a friend last season.

Today Keeneland opened it’s spring season and was heralded by a spontaneous snowstorm, which happened to coincide with the last races of the day. There’s about half an inch of snow on the ground and thankfully the horses are tucked into their straw beds by now and away from the nasty winds that whip through the grounds.

Meanwhile, onion transplants and potatoes are waiting for our burst of winter weather to subside and I’m trying to get enough courage to brave the cold and plant more peas and greens in the next few days. Forty degrees sounds downright balmy at this point.

I visited my friend Ellen over the weekend to see how behind I was. Ellen and her husband Sam are Amish farmers in a nearby county and grow a wonderful array of vegetables for every season. They had planted about a thousand onions so far but other than that hadn’t sown seeds, although Sam was threatening to plant corn later that day (it was 80 degrees on Saturday). Ellen had started all of her tomato plants in flats in the greenhouse that adjoins her store and they had just formed about 4 leaves. She was very proud of this. I was very impressed with her method of starting seedlings (talk about Amish ingenuity). She placed the seedlings on a metal work table and covered the trays with a loose tarp. Then she placed a small propane heater with just its pilot light on beneath the table. It emitted just enough warmth to spur the seeds to germinate. This setup is a whole lot cheaper than buying expensive growing mats. I am forever amazed at Ellen’s clever tips and methods.

I gave Ellen a packet of Green Zebra heirloom tomato seeds I had in the car and she said she’d start them for me as I have yet to erect my portable greenhouse this year. Instead, I have successfully started several lettuces and some greens on the back deck without even covering them up at night. What a wacky couple of months we’ve had weather-wise! They’re all indoors on the kitchen floor tonight and if I can just keep my dog from nibbling at them (he’s a rampant vegetarian unfortunately) they may survive until next week.

There is a good deal happening lately with the farm and planting some interesting new vegetables is just part of the thrills. I recently submitted a proposal to the Agricultural Development Board (they oversee the tobacco settlement fund to help farmers diversify from tobacco crops) that will help Central Kentucky farmers by creating a year-round retail outlet for their products. It also involves forming an alliance of sustainable and organic farmers to help them market their quality produce and meat products to wholesale customers, including specialty supermarkets in our area. Also, we hope to start a weekly farmers’ market in the town of Midway on Thursday afternoons from 3 to 7 pm during the summer.

There is a good deal of progress being made for Kentucky farmers this year with some new venues opening up for their produce and meat and dairy products. I believe it will only grow as it’s all about what consumers want these days and I am convinced that it’s local food that’s healthier, safer, and above all delicious.

I am very much looking forward to seeing customers in Midway this spring and we’ll have some wonderful heirloom lettuces, herbs, spring onions, and radishes by the first of May. Once again I will be sending out a weekly newsletter to let everyone know what will be on the "menu" along with some programs planned for the children’s garden.

Meanwhile, we’re awaiting the birth of Rosie’s second foal and from the looks of Rosie it may be a 300-pounder (I only hope she makes it through the stall door). Could be he/she will emerge on Easter, which I’m guessing is auspicious.

Thanks for all your support and encouragement last year. I can’t wait to see my favorite customers and farmer friends. Keep in touch. Best, Susie