As many cavort and celebrate this unseasonably warm weather, I am grumbling. Why? I see why it is NOT good. And the list is long! Maple syrup – best if days in March are 40 degrees in daylight and 20 at night, sunny, no wind. Too warm and the sap stays in the tree top and forms buds and leaves Fruit. Apples, cherries, elderberries, grapes, plums and other tree or perennial fruit …
Most years in August someone starts a “local food challenge.” My challenge is more like Barbara Kingsolver’s in her book Animal, Vegetable Miracle or Joan Dye Gussow in This Organic Life. How much of our diet year round can be local? Ken and I store many crops available for sale this time of year. Onions, squash, garlic, potatoes, beets, carrots, black or daikon radishes, giant kohlrabi. Until last week we had winter tomatoes, cabbage, rutabagas. …
Eggs have a season. It starts as the days lengthen – usually early February. Think lent and Easter; there is a reason that Easter bunny has a basket of eggs! Eggs are a versatile, great source of protein. Our hens have a nutritious diet of sprouted grains, organic ground feed, kitchen culls and pasture. Everyone tells us they can taste the difference. Here is their portable coop in spring, summer, …
