Tree Swallows are a sure sign that spring has arrived. They are truly a great thing for our farm.
THIS WEEK’S SUBSCRIBER MENU:
• Kale or Collard Greens
• Spinach
• Kale Broccolini x 2
• Broccoli Raab (Rapini)
• Salad Mix (mostly baby lettuces)
• Sorrel
Click on the links above for information and recipes about these crops.
COMING SOON:
Green Garlic
Pea Shoots
Baby Turnips
The weather may have changed, but the rain didn’t start until we had a good stretch of ground planted. Peas, radishes, turnips, carrots, beets, arugula, mizuna, yokatta-na, salad, spinach, dill, cilantro. Like I said, a nice space is now planted and *well* watered. Because, by the time the gentle spring rain was done Sunday night, we estimated that at least 3 inches had fallen. That’s what we call a soaking. But April Showers bring May….food!
Lillibet delivered 10 healthy babies. I love checking-in and finding everyone happily nursing with a contented mama. And then I quietly sneak away…
Last week, we waited somewhat anxiously for Lillibet to deliver her new litter. The calendar said Easter Sunday, my estimate was for Wednesday, but she finally brought them into the world Friday morning. 10 beautiful babies. I take no credit, she’s an amazing mother.
Cosmo jumped in the car with me to run to the post office and pick up these little fuzzballs. It’s hard to believe it will be only 8 or 10 weeks until they are ready to eat. This is the start of healthy, happy meat though.
Monday, we picked up our first batch of fryer chicks for the year. These will be ready to butcher in June, so if you haven’t reserved your plump, juicy fryers yet, be sure and get yourself on the list. There are a few not spoken-for, and there will be more in the months to come.
Kerri and Dan, our interns for the summer will be arriving in two weeks, which should be just in time for heavy planting season. The potatoes will arrive this week, onion transplants next week, and then round one of transplants in the greenhouse will be ready to go out. Bring on the warmer weather, because we’ve got so much to do!
We are still hoping to fill about 50 CSA subscriptions. If you would like to join us, or if you know someone who would like to join us, please don’t delay! Summer will be here before you know it, and our summer season starts in just 9 weeks. We would love to share this great upcoming season with you!
Late breaking news is that the first Tree Swallows arrived today! There must be 50, swooping and diving over the rapini patch, picking-off flying insects. They are a great thing for the farm because they can make a serious dent in the insect pest population. I read reports that they can eat 60 insects per hour—that’s around 25,000 insects per month, per individual! Next time you’re complaining about mosquitos, bring in the swallows! The orange-and-black Barn Swallows haven’t returned from the south yet, but they will be here soon and hopefully will be taking up their nests in the cow barn again.
Whistling Train Farm 
I forgot again!! I`ll drop by tomorrow morning and see if any`s left. good thing I don`t work in a nuclear plant, and forget and leave the reactor open!
Date: Wed, 10 Apr 2013 01:45:41 +0000 To: nancyellencorr@hotmail.com
I love hearing about the babies and the stages of life on the farm. I’ve been sick this week, so we made a hearty soup with Italian sausage, white beans, kale from the farm, and other veggies. It was delicious and perfect for recovery and the wet weather! I also have to admit the broccolini doesn’t stick around long enough to become part of a meal – we cook it up and eat it right away! Its so delicious!