Lots happening on the farm.  Seeding into transplant blocks is well on the way and our large greenhouse, is full to overflowing with seedlings.  Soon we will be looking for more space.  Meanwhile we are enjoying fresh tomatoes and eggplant from our small  greenhouse - such a treat!  Also, coming along is spinach and pac choi which should be in time for the Farmers Market on April 21st.  So far no help in sight but to date we are managing well.  Any Wwoofs out there, reading this and looking for a fun place to work do get in touch.
In another month the first group of turkey poults will arrive.   After much deliberation and consulting with our processor we have decided to order 50 white turkeys now and 50 later.  The hatchery, in Alberta, has unfortunately decided to replace the regular bronze with Orloff bronze which we learn is a white turkey in bronze feathers.  While true the Orloff reaches maturity more quickly than the 'old' bronze they come with issues.  So. rather than try something new right away we'll go with the tried and true whites.  In talking with our new processor we have learned that he can supply us with turkey parts which will make selling turkey meat at the farmers market very attractive.  An exciting prospect.
Still on the topic of poultry we are planning to acquire a small flock of Buckeye hens.  These will arrive in June along with a dozen Maran chicks.  Again something to look forward to.  I love the look of both of these chicken breeds.
Only a week or two away from calving which is looked forward with interest and intrepidation.  Highlands generally calve, on their own and without any need of assistance from us, but there is always the possibility something may not be quite right.   This will be the first of the calves from our new bull, Ultimate Son of Tatlayoko,www.tatlayokofold.com a handsome young bull with excellent pedigree. Soon we will have a bunch of woolly Highland calves running in the spring sunshine.

 


The new seeds have arrived and already the potting shed is full of onion trays. We will be trying some new varieties this year which we always find interesting. Son, Mark, who is bit of a foodie, arranged to have seeds sent for Christmas. An interesting selection of onion, beans and peas common enough in England but unusual here. A great present for a mother who is a gardener.

The greenhouse is doing very well and already we have fruit on the eggplants. The tomatoes also have good size fruit.

Work is complete on our farm store and we're very pleased with the results. All the wooden trim came from the farm and milled and planed by Jim. Much of it is beetle wood and shows the blue tinge which we don't mind at all. We are looking forward to setting up the store and displaying our veggies.

Applications for CSA memberships are coming along well but we still have room for more. Please get your application in soon.

Time to order turkeys. We will go again with both large whites and bronze. Processing might be an issue this year as we have been informed that the mobile processor will not be operating. Something will no doubt be worked out as many producers will be affected. The thought of on farm processing fills me, Lesley, with dread. We have also been tossing around the plan to have laying chickens and looking into the various breeds. We would prefer heritage breed chickens and are favouring Buckeyes and Marans but may have to begin with a more common breed such as Plymouth Rocks. Meat birds are also on the agenda but this might very much depend on processing.

Welcome to our first 2012 Blog and Newsletter.

The Bulkley Valley has had so much snow this winter, not to mention rain, which has caused no end of extra work on this farm so it is nice to sit and pour over the seed catalogues and rethinking our strategy for the season.  We have so many great ideas and plans but how can we possibly work everything in given that there is only two of us.  We definitely need helpers!

Working in the heated greenhouse, during the cold weather, is a pleasure.  We have lots of tomato, eggplant and herb plants on the go and will have fruit and herbs in time for the first market of the season.  Soon it will be time to start seeding onions and other longer germinating veggies along with some of the earlier varieties.

Time to be planning for the new CSA program.  We were so encouraged by last years success we are excited to get started on the 2012 program.  We are offering a 'special' to start off the season - join before February 29th and receive an extra box.  The extra box can be claimed anytime during the season - perhaps the end of the season or maybe while having guests during the summer. 

Turkeys have always been fun to have around and we plan to go ahead this year with a new order.  Laying hens are also a possibility but they have to be a heritage breed who lay brown eggs.