Keeping busy
Greetings!
We’re enjoying yet another gorgeous week of early summer weather, with an abundance of lovely flowers in bloom and lots of work to do. I seeded our final successions of zinnias and celosia this week, and next week the farm that we contract to grow our overwintered flower seedlings will start seeding out those crops. It’s wild to think that there are hardy annual crops we’re harvesting now that were started from seed an entire year ago. So much time goes into caring for those plants! At the same time, we’re harvesting sunflowers that were just seeded 50-60 days ago. Each crop has its own timeline and needs. Some crops are certainly easier than others.
Elsewhere on the farm we’ve been harvesting dahlias, digging up ranunculus corms, and doing a whole lot of weeding. We also took the plastic off of one of our older high tunnels this week, and we’ll re-skin it this fall. It’s important to remove the plastic after 4-6 years to allow the rain to flush out soluble salt buildup that occurs in tunnels. Replacing the plastic film is also important because over time the plastic will let less light through, making photosynthesis more difficult. Additionally, we inevitably find that over time, holes and tears form in the plastic, some of which are challenging to patch. I helped put the plastic on this high tunnel the year before I started working at Two Boots, when the farm I worked at came out to help finish the high tunnel build, so it was a fun full circle moment for me! I’m looking forward to seeing how our flowers do in that tunnel next season.
Dahlias are back! For now, our small harvests will likely just go to florists, but they’ll make their way into your bouquets in the near future.
This week I’d like to introduce you to another one of this year’s crew members, Karen.
Karen started working full-time at Two Boots this year, but she got her start on the farm in 2020! We’re generally hesitant to accept volunteer labor on the farm, but Karen was the most diligent, hardworking volunteer imaginable. She worked with us every Friday during the 2020 season, and her presence was a bright light during a challenging year. When she emailed us last fall wondering if we might have a job available for her, we jumped at the opportunity to invite her back.
Before farming, Karen spent years working behind a computer, and she’s a spreadsheet master. She is a loving mother to many cats, an avid gardener, and one of the kindest people I know.
It’s not easy to jump into a full-time farm job after spending much of your work life behind a desk, but Karen has done so with grace. Since starting at Two Boots, Karen has become a masterful bucket washer, a speedy transplanter, and all around a great farmer! We feel lucky to work alongside her.
Karen, showing off our stunning foxglove about a month ago.
Elisa, holding this week’s CSA bouquets. These may be some of our favorite bouquets ever!
We’re taking a break from the market this holiday weekend!
We will be back at the JFX market next Sunday from 7:00-12:00.
Wishing you well,
Amelia and the rest of the Two Boots crew
Harry, taking a break from the hot sun.
Karen and Grey planting rattail statice.
Dahlias may be coming into season, but I think this nigella really stole the show this week.
We harvested the first lisianthus of the season on Thursday!