Monthly Archives: February 2013

Before and after … Shiitake mushroom site

  By Administrator | February 22, 2013 - 11:55 am |
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MushroomSite

Dan checking out a mushroom growing site

 

You saw it before,when we were checking this area under the hemlocks.  It seemed perfect for growing Shiitake mushrooms.  Shaded by the hemlock trees and protected from winds coming from the hay fields, this space will keep the mushrooms from drying out.

 

 

 

And now you see the area after Dan cleared stumps and branches on the ground.  In this photo there are over 600 logs stacked and waiting for good weather.  Then the crew will inoculate the logs with mushroom spawn.

FebBolts4306

Logs in our Shiitake mushroom growing site waiting to be inoculated

 

All of us at the farm have been thankful for a REAL winter this year.  We can reach the trees without creating ruts, because the ground is solidly frozen.  We also expect any problem insects to get off to a very slow start because of the cold.

We never use toxins on the farm, so cold is a wonderfully natural and “organic” way to discourage trouble.

It seems that a few deer like this spot also, so we might have to ask them to hang out somewhere else, in case they decide that Shiitake mushrooms are tasty.

 

Lavender, sage, rosemary, and … more lavender

  By Administrator | February 20, 2013 - 10:39 pm | , ,
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LavenderPixabay

Lavender and more lavender

It has taken a lot of time, but I’m pleased to say today we’ve found some excellent sources for herbs that have the qualities we want for You-Snip customers.   Many of the larger growers concentrate on producing plants that are strictly visually exciting.  Some lavenders, for example, are incredibly beautiful in the garden and as a hedge.

But we seek varieties that are also excellent for cooking and baking, that smell wonderfully fragrant and that dry well for use in crafts such as wreathes and sachets.  We expect to transplant our first eight varieties of lavender this spring in the You-Snip part of the field.

We also found several different sage varieties that will also be versatile for cooking, their unusual fragrance as well as great for crafts.  Rosemary, one of my favorite herbs in the kitchen, will also be part of the You-Snip field.  I’ve recently made a deliciously fragrant hair treatment using both rosemary from my garden and rosemary essential oil.

So much fun!

Storm Preparations

  By Administrator | February 9, 2013 - 2:01 am |
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Today, February 8, 2013, we spent the morning getting ready for the predicted storm which is supposed to bring 16″ of snow.  We made sure the sheep, donkeys and chickens were well supplied with water and food … that the barn doors were fastened to keep snow out of the stored hay … that firewood was by the stove.  And then, looking out the window to the blueberry field below – wait a minute!  Forty feet of deer fencing was sagging to the ground.

Donkeys Before the Storm

Donkeys Before the Storm

Fine snowflakes were blowing in the cold wind, and I quickly gathered ladder, wire, zip ties and rope into the truck and drove down to the sagging fence.  Two hours later, it’s good to know the fence is secure from the wind and possible snow load.

Just at that moment, Charlie, our generous arborist neighbor, showed up with a wonderful load of wood chips and dumped them on the chip pile for our blueberries.  Wonderful, because they were so fragrant and fresh – smelling like balsam fir.  Wonderful because they were small, uniform, beautiful chips that the berries would love because they included the smaller branches and needles from the tree.  Wonderful, because it was nice to see Charlie and the chips after being blown around for two hours by wind trying to knock over the ladder.

Now, we’ve waited all day.  Where is the snow?

Blueberry pruning workshop

  By Administrator | February 9, 2013 - 12:47 am | ,
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Our second blueberry pruning workshop is scheduled for Saturday, March 23 starting at 1:00pm.  If we are stopped by snow or rain, we will try for Sunday, March 24.

A young Blue Crop blueberry bush in fall colors

A young Blue Crop blueberry bush in fall colors

It’s a good idea to prune your blueberries in winter and complete the process by early April.  We show you the basic principles and the preferred tools.  Once you have the idea and have watched the pruning demonstration, you get a chance to tell us how to prune a bush and try out your new skills.

Some people are interested in pruning for blueberry production so that they can continue to harvest a lot of berries, and others want to prune for ornamental or other reasons.  Bring your ideas to the workshop.

There is NO CHARGE for attending and everyone interested is welcome.  Please RSVP – we need to know how many people to expect.

See you in the blueberry field, 1176 Babcock Lake Rd, Hoosick Falls, NY.

Winter 2013 – New Projects

  By Administrator | February 8, 2013 - 12:01 am | , , ,
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We are discovering new things to do and new products for 2013.

Dobro & Saddle

Dobro getting used to his saddle

 

 

Starting with Dobro, at six years old, for the first time trying out a saddle. He looks happy enough for a new experience!

Thank you, Dobro, for being so calm and responsive.

And thanks, also, to Steve Edwards of Queen Valley Mule Ranch for training the rider.  Dobro already knew what to do.

 

 

Surprise Earrings

Amy demonstrates Make Your Own Surprise Earrings

 

 

 

 

We introduced wool do-it-yourself kits at craft fairs before the holidays. Amy demonstrated how to make wool earrings from our new kit at the Cambridge, NY Holiday Craft Fair.

 

Hat from Kit

Crochet Your Own Wool Hat

 

 

We also introduced a new Crochet Your Own Striped Hat.

We love the beautiful fleece from May, Amelia, and Sky.

 

Mushroom Site

Dan checks possible mushroom site

 

 

Another exciting change is our newly-started project growing Shiitake mushrooms, using hardwoods on the farm and help from the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York workshops.  Dan is checking out this site under the shade of hemlock trees
and well out of the wind.

 

We plan to write about the changes as they happen in the coming weeks.