June peppers

Despite all of the poor weather, ongoing slug attacks, and gas-price creep, it was refreshing to see blossoms on our pepper plants. It is a sign that warmer weather is on its way and that fresh local food will be here soon. I started our peppers

Peaceworks sweet pepper blossoms

pretty early this year and their timing has matched our space limitations for plant starts here in Seattle better than the tomatoes have. One of our early bloomers so far has been the Peaceworks sweet pepper, and I am now starting to harden our peppers off so they will make the transition into the valley's cooler greenhouse weather without croaking. Our greenhouse hoops are supposed to be delivered today and we should be able to start getting many of our tomatoes that are literally bursting out of their pots into the ground. Since I am from Florida, this will be an exciting day for me because I love the warm greenhouse mugginess that clearly is not present at any time of year in Northwest Washington.
We are beginning to build a farm stand, washing table, and packing table while we are waiting for the temperatures to warm up and sun to appear. Carnation-Duvall Road clearly needs a farm stand and everybody that I talk to says that one is sure to be successful. With the price of gas rising this may be just the solution we need to help offset the cost of petrol. Our shopping list includes a few used refrigerators and long folding tables, so if you know of any that are hiding away waiting to be used for a good cause let us know.

Dward Pak Choi

Van Strom the plow master came by yesterday to finish up the remaining plowing for us. He does heavy tractor work for hire and claims that many of the farms he does work for are struggling with the weather too. Van also confirmed that for those farms that do have plants in the ground, the weather is just too cool right now for starts to grow or out-grow the pests.
We learned a dirty little secret of the valley a few days ago. A friend of mine spotted a Charlie's Produce truck making the rounds so he inquired as to who had enough produce to sell to bulk distributors. The answer is nobody. Farms are buying bulk produce to fill CSA boxes or orders. Charlie's does sell quality organic produce, but as a farm entity we would rather have light early boxes and over-fill boxes a little later to make up the difference for a poor weather spring. CSAs are largely a relationship between a family and a farm. Members celebrate bountiful harvests, mourn farm flooding, and have high expectations for an abundant season--we will celebrate again when all of our food comes from the farm and the baby arrives.

Ruby Streaks Mustards

A beautiful spring day.

Peas and onions.