KRANKIES Airstream

Thought you folks would be interested in the goings on at Sanders Ridge Farm. Here's the latest note from Cindy and what's gonna be on the truck this week.


The weather sure has been wild and crazy! Last Monday - we woke up to pouring rain, Tuesday we almost could see our breath it was so chilly, Wednesday and Thursday were cloudy and warm, lots of rain Friday, Saturday HOT - more rain Sunday, and tomorrow morning frost?! Weee!


Everything out in the gardens continue to look very good and growing well, especially the weeds! (they grow twice as fast as everything else!) It took 3 people over 8 hours of non-stop weeding last week just to liberate the carrots and onions… We are also doing some preventative spraying for mildews and aphids (both can be a devastating problem when the weather is excessively damp - especially the squash and cukes.) As far as pests go - other than flea beetles on the eggplant (an inevitable and perpetual issue until the plants get big enough) we’ve had a little bit of a ground hog issue. The peas nearest to the barn are chewed down to nubs. Shy, our big black farm dog sent one unlucky boar hog to gopher heaven 2 weeks ago - but we’ve seen another one running into an abandoned burrow in the barn. Last year, one completely devoured several rows of edamame as they emerged from seed before Neil (and Mr. Winchester) invited it to find a new home…



Last week we harvested yet another large share of swiss chard, kales, mustard, lettuces, and cilantro. This coming week we’ll be able to add Golden Beets with greens, Frisse Endive, a second harvest of Spinach, and some especially sweet and beautiful Oak leaf lettuce to the boxes. Savoy cabbages and Broccoli are on the horizon - possibly even crookneck squash - though the weather and temps will determine which ones will be ready first!



The garden beds are all just plain soggy - and we have no idea when they will be dry enough to work. Since we aren’t able to direct seed (especially the melons and winter squashes), we are starting them all in soil blocks to hopefully stay on schedule as far as germination goes. Its more labor and material expense (I have already purchased 1 ton more potting soil than budgeted this year) - plus these veggies don’t particularly like being disturbed once they’ve germinated - but it’s worth the cost and risk under the present weather circumstances. The challenge is to get them into the ground before they get too big in their little soil blocks. (which stresses the plant and that makes them more attractive to bugs and disease.)



I’ll be running very low on eggs this coming week. All at once, at least three of the hens have started “sitting”. (I think there are a couple of stealth sitters too) This happens in the spring though usually only one or two will decide to go broody at the same time. At least 3 are each sitting on a cache of “many” eggs. Unfortunately, they have chosen the “choice” nests in the coop and so when they get up briefly to eat and stretch, the other hens slip in and lay their eggs in there too. Each day - they are sitting on several more eggs then the day before. I haven’t been able to keep up with marking the old ones VS the new - so I’m just leaving the eggs in those nests for fear I might pull and deliver a partially “incubated” egg. (which believe me is NOT a great way to start your morning breakfast preparation!)



EXTRA VEGETABLES & HERBS AVAILABLE THIS WEEK! (Seedlings available too!)
I’ll have an abundance of Kale, Swiss Chard, Asian braising greens, Arugula, Lettuce, Cilantro, Dill, and Radishes available this week - at 3 locations:


Tuesday, Krankies downtown (11 to 1pm)

Thursday, the Unitarian church on Robinhood Road (11 to 1pm), and

Thursday, Krankies off Reynolda (4:30 to 7pm).


WINERY:
The wine festival Saturday in Elkin Saturday was unbelievable! We had people 3 deep in line most of the day waiting to taste and the reviews and feedback we received (and sales) went way beyond our expectations. I can’t wait until the day we can invite you all up for a taste. It won’t be long now. Everything is coming together quickly at the winery. The building is complete and we just have to finish getting all of the equipment installed. I should have an opening date by this time next week. (And, as I mentioned before, we plan to have an invitation only special event for all of our farm members as well as everyone on the mailing list - before we actually have our grand opening.)



I’ve posted some photos for you at: http://www.sandersridge.com/photo_pages_farm/may_15_2009/May_15_1.html



Warm Regards,



cindy



Cindy Conti
Sanders Ridge Vineyard and Winery
Sanders Ridge Organic Farm
Certification ID #0827G by QCS of Gainesville, FL
www.sandersridge.com
2300 Sanders Ridge Lane
Boonville, NC 27011

336 677-1700