Planting for the farm

My studio is filled with flats of seeds. Starting early? Yes, because I hope to have everything growing in half gallon containers by May 1st. I have planted a lot of Lavender for the Lavender walk, Echinacea, because I use the root in preparations and Passion Flower, Artichoke because, unless they have a head start in our Zone, I'd never harvest some of the longer season growing things.

Our Greenhouses open this year, to the public, including a petting zoo and a Sweet Pea Maze, idea gardens and lots of fresh garden produce. We grow everything organically, pesticides and all that sort of thing, haven't been used on this land in 10 years and so we maintain it that way. Also, all our animals are of heritage variety and our plants are heirloom seeds and plants, no hybrids or GMO's.

This year we are also taking a bit of a turn as far as the poultry. March will bring Buckeye chickens to the farm, a rare chicken breed, hardy to our climate and also brown egg layers, Muscovy Ducks, also a hardy Heritage breed and great for meat. We feel, that by focusing on a couple of breeds, we will be able to provide our customers with better chicks, ducklings, meat, eggs, etc.

So it is a busy time and a fun time, reminds me that Spring is around the corner.