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May 2012
From now on, homestead updates will be posted on the Wise Produce blog. Please be sure to check it out!
April 2012
Pin managed to hatch one of the eggs! The chick is a little yellow fluff ball, which means she is set to turn out to be a white or cream chicken. Hopefully the little chick is a she and not a he so I can keep her around! This month is exceptionally busy as I prepare for the growing season and getting everything planted.
March 2012
I've planted quite a bit of stuff this month already! The cabbage, kale, and romaine I had growing in the greenhouse all winter is now in the ground and ready to take off. There are six kinds of lettuce seeded and sprouting in raised beds. For the first time, I've planted garlic. The onions are right there with the garlic too. Potatoes just went in this past week, of which I have four kinds including a type of fingerlings, pure blue potatoes and completely red potatoes (inside and out). The sugar peas are about 2-3 inches tall and the support structure for them is prepared and set up. I've also scattered broccoli, spinach, and cabbage seeds in a row and now wait for them to sprout as well.
The chickens have had a few bad days. The black silkie was eaten by a hawk this month and the pure blooded Wyandotte died of botulism when she got into some rotten and molding pumpkins. Junior, my rooster that hatched last year had to be sent away (he was not butchered) because he was getting violent with some of the girls. Some sad days around the homestead, but there is positive news as well! One of the girls that I hatched last year is sitting on a clutch of eggs. You can see the video here. Hopefully some of them hatch, but if not, I will be getting a few Easter Egger chickens to increase the diversity (and size) of my eggs. Regardless, those chickens won't be laying until at least August or September.
February 2012
Spring is nearly here and I'm dropping the hot season veggie seeds into the seedling pods. I've got the set up in my room since the greenhouse still gets too cold at night. So far the peppers and tomatoes are seeded. More to come soon. I'll be planting more lettuce, spinach, and broccoli in the next few weeks. Hopefully the temperatures will be perfect for them and they will grow like weeds! I'll keep you informed on their availability.
January 2012
Due to the exceptionally cold temperatures, as is the case with most Januarys, the produce is growing very slowly. Everything is making it through the 5 degree nights, but that does not necessarily mean that it is growing all too quickly. The hens have not slowed down in their egg laying too much though, so if you want eggs, please let me know. The chicks that hatched last this past summer are even starting to lay eggs.
I've recently started a word press blog, which you can see here. Be sure to like the Wise Produce facebook page as well so you can stay on top of updates.
December 2011
Lettuce will be available starting January 9th. Due to low growth rate and yield, spinach will not be available until possibly february. Another set of seedlings has been started. I've included more spinach, lettuce mix, romaine, broccoli, and kale.
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The year may be wrapping up along with your Christmas presents, but the greenhouse's production is just beginning to get rolling. The spinach is around 3-4 inches tall. The lettuce mix ranges from 2-5 inches tall. Clara has started laying green eggs again after her molt at long last. If you would like to see a green egg amongst your dozen eggs, please specify this before you pick up your eggs. Her green eggs are an extra $.50 each and they are full size eggs, not bantam size. Be sure to check out the item availability page for more info on what will be available soon and for pricing.
November 2011
Kale is no longer available, it is has been bought by FreshaPeel Hummus. I suggest you check out their website: FreshaPeel Hummus.
October 2011
The greenhouse is finally built, plants have been moved in and it and the plants even survived a foot of wet, heavy snow. While there are currently no vegetables for sale, lettuce, spinach and mixed greens will be available throughout the winter. The five young chickens are doing very well and one is definitely a boy, named Junior because he looks a lot like his father. There may be another rooster in the bunch, but time will tell as they feather out more. We were also given two full size chickens, one brown egg layer and one easter egger. Sadly, one chicken was lost to a hawk attack recently, so they will appreciate the move into the greenhouse next month where they can stay safe and warm and also keep the plants warm.
September 2011
Just about everything is winding down for the season, but you can still buy basil, lemon balm, mustard greens, hungarian wax peppers (they have some nice spiciness to them!) and some types of tomatoes. The silkies are laying eggs full force, so get your dozen half-sized eggs for $1 a dozen. Remember, your body will thank you for the increase in nutrients and omega-3. The chicks are almost 7 weeks old and it's looking like we have 4 girls and a boy (we lost a couple due to unknown causes though). Finally, what would you like to see available next season? Let me know so I can begin planning how much to plant!
August 2011
Cucumber and Zucchini sales have passed. Fall vegetables will be planted next month including lettuce, spinach, mixed greens, cabbage, and broccoli. Right now though, there are more tomatoes than you can figure out how to eat them all! There are beefsteak, roma, and grape tomatoes available. Bell peppers are nearly ready to be picked, but you can also get hot peppers now! In addition, six chicks have hatched this month, so look for pictures soon!
July 2011
Egg sales have resumed, although quantities are still extremely limited. Now for sale are three kinds of zucchini, cucumbers, more lettuce, kale and mixed greens! I see both tomatoes and peppers peeking out from under the leaves of plants too now, so they should be ripe and ready to eat within the next couple of weeks. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for more delicious sales!
June 2011
I depend on your word of mouth advertising to sell produce! Tell your friends; tell your enemies; tell your mother; tell you brother; just tell everyone!
The following items are necessary to keep prices of your favorite foods down. If you have any of these items and would like to donate them to us, it would be greatly appreciated: Egg Cartons, Gallon Ziploc Bags, Sandwich Ziploc Bags.
Harvested some horseradish and ground it up, added some vinegar and made something spectacular! We have the most potent horseradish around. You can always give it a taste test before you decide to get some of your own.
May 2011
Lettuce, Spinach, and Mixed Greens are available NOW!
Beginning in the fall, Lemon Grass, Peppermint, Chives, Thyme, Basil, Oregano, and Lemon Balm will be available year round. You'll be able to have your herbs for teas, as seasoning, and baking any time of the year that you desire and it can be fresh or dried.
The following fruits and nuts will be available this summer and fall: Raspberries, three kinds of Apples, Pears, and Walnuts.
You can get these vegetables from me throughout the summer during each item's specific harvest time which you can check on under "Item Availability" as they are added to the list: Broccoli, Cabbage, Raab, Peas, Carrots, Beans, Cucumbers, Corn, Tomatoes, Squash, Potatoes, and Peppers.
Both Parsley and Horseradish will be available throughout the summer, but due to their style of growth, they will not be available for purchase after their seasons are over.