Twin Cities Daily Planet (https://www.tcdailyplanet.net/author/sylvia-burgos/page/4/)
Leaves are out and the first of the fruit trees have blossomed. At Bull Brook Keep, the plums were first to unfurl their pale pink petals. Unfortunately, they were lured by the premature heat and were kicked back into winter by a couple of nights in the 20s. I think we lost a good 20-25% of those buds, but I think we’ll still get a good showing this summer.
Was it just two weeks ago that I set out packets of pepper seeds and wondered if I wasn’t jumping the gun? I mean, there were 5 inches of fresh snow on the driveway, and the cows were happy in their thick fur. Those grass-fed beef cattle are hardy animals!
Finally! It’s finally time to start next summer’s tomato sauces, salsas, steamed greens, and jellies. True, the first tomatoes won’t be ripe until late July, but now’s the time to get those plants started.
Starting your vegetable plants from seeds is not rocket science, but it does take a little bit of planning. Fortunately, all you need for that are pen and paper.
Interestingly enough, Sam Fromartz and I entered the world of journalism at similar places – the bottom. In the early 70’s I was one of several newly-minted college graduates who shared a single desk at the CBS Network Radio newsroom in downtown Manhattan. We ran for coffee and answered phones. Continue Reading
February 24: Wanna farm? Maybe start with chickens!
Dream of walking out to your chicken coop and gathering baskets of fresh eggs – smooth, white, or brown? Maybe selling them to neighbors, or the local food market?
Skeptics claim the world would starve if farmers were to depend on organic practices. Not so says a new report from Rodale Institute, a name and force in organic agriculture and gardening for over 60 years. You may be familiar with a couple of its publications, Organic Gardening and Prevention Magazine.
My little herd now numbers an even dozen: four mature cows, three first-time heifers (expecting their first calves), a steer that’ll be ready to harvest in July or August, and four 10-month old calves (one heifer and three steers).
If all goes as planned (yes, I’m grinning), we should greet seven new calves in late-March-late April.
I made a quick trip to St. Paul’s Mississippi Market over the noon hour today. I’ve been a member of the food co-operative for 20+ years and feel comfortable using the bulk bins of flour, beans, and rice. I checked the diary case for my favorite Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota cheeses, and then made my way to the deli and espresso counter.
Some think the answer is “not a heck of a whole lot,” but others are pushing for the connections.