Sunday, March 09, 2014

Sprouted

Finally, the temperatures have risen above 12 degrees, and the onions are sprouting. Can spring be far behind?  How often I cursed that repulsive groundhog as we awaited this glorious thaw.  
As we navigated the cold, cruel winter of 2014, Restoration Farm was never far from our thoughts. In fact, planning for the new season began on January 1 with a social gathering to select and order seeds. 
There’s nothing better than sowing something positive right at the start of the New Year. You can read more about the ritual of seed selection here.

Then in frigid February, the gang at Restoration Farm gathered to start seeding for the 2014 growing season.  
Onions are always the first crop planted, and you have to have sturdy fingers to “dimple” all those seed cell trays.  Don’t schedule a manicure during seeding time.  When you’re done, the fingernails do indeed need scrubbing.  
Read more about sowing the first seeds of the 2014 growing season here.

Despite the snow residue, Donna Sinetar's hens are laying stunning, pastel eggs.  Talk about a harbinger of spring!
Yesterday we seeded beets and scallions, so it’s heartening to know there will be baskets of colorful organic vegetables before long. 

There’s even more sprouting at Restoration Farm.  A full slate of education programs will be launched this season, covering everything from backyard chickens to yoga in the fields.  Read more about the newly established education program at Restoration Farm here and check out the link to all the workshops.
“Courage!” as Dan Rather used to say.  Even the crocuses are peaking out of the ground!  


©2014 T.W. Barritt All Rights Reserved

9 comments:

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

I would enjoy picking out the seeds for the new year. It must be exciting. And Donna's eggs are gorgeous. I don't think I've ever seen eggs in such pretty pastel colors before. Finally, spring is in the air.
Sam

Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) said...

I love that you are involved in the full cycle of planting at the farm. With so many CSAs, members are present only in the summer. To have a say in the choice of varieties grown would be so much fun.

Barbara said...

So pleased to read planting season is in full swing at Restoration! I am hoping you've seen the end of bad weather.
One wouldn't need to color eggs for Easter with that collection. How lovely!

Karen (Back Road Journal) said...

We still have over a foot of snow on the ground and more coming this week. I'll be starting my tomato seeds tomorrow.

Gloria Baker said...

love these sprouts anf the eggd beautiful!

~~louise~~ said...

It's posts like this that encourage the prospect of Spring, T.W.

I think it's wonderful that you are involved at Restoration Farm from the very beginning of the season. My peas aren't sprouting yet and I don't know about the garlic or the onions since I planted them in the Fall and they are "snuggled" under at least a foot of snow. It is melting though ever so slowly.

I learned a long time ago to forgo the manicures. It takes my hands and nails almost all Winter to recuperate. But oh how I adore "playing" in the dirt! Enjoy planting season, T.W! And thanks for sharing...

Catherine said...

Dear T.W., Looks like a great beginning to the growing season.
Blessings, Catherine

Velva said...

It has been a brutal winter. Yea! Restoration Farm is getting ready for spring!! Looking forward to the posts.

Velva

Unknown said...

Wow. It looks like such a tedious process. I am glad we have local farmers markets. I can appreciate them more.