Just a quick note on the 5th Annual Plant Sale. I will be out at the gravel pit at 1 mile Murphy Dome Rd Starting next weekend (June 1 and 2). I will be out there from 2pm to 7pm. I may be out there earlier. I won't have the large selection I've had in the past. Selection will be limited to Lobelia, Columbines, nasturtiums, squash, tomato, and (maybe later) pepper plants. Prices will be reduced - $2 for a 6-pack and 75cents/$1 for 3 inch pots. I will also have a few peonies to sell - at last year's price of $8 each. Everything must go, as I won't have room to grow anything this year. Watch for some fruit later this summer, however!
I've been studying for a comprehensive exam for a master's degree and haven't been able to put in the time.
I cruised through the farm this morning and I saw several varieties already leafing out! Black currants, serviceberries, haskaps, and cherry trees are all showing green buds. Everything has been delayed due to a winter that just wouldn't end - even the birch trees, which are just starting to push green buds. It is hard to believe it was only 15F last Sunday. Now we're headed toward the upper 60s and afternoon rain showers. Summer has arrived!!!!!
Friday, May 24, 2013
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Uh, scratch that . . . breakup starts this week
Well, I know I said breakup was starting a few weeks ago, but it appears Mother Nature had other plans. The last five days brought us 13 inches of snow here at the farm and 19 inches still blanket the bramblery. Last Sunday, we dropped to just 9F (but that was balmy compared to -2F in town). Now it looks like we might hit the mid 50's by the end of this week (they said that before!).
On to other news. One blackberry bush is poking its head through the snow - a sign that the voles didn't get everything . . . or that one is dead (they don't like dead things: picky, picky, picky). I have many new varieties of blackberries and raspberries in my house (and a neighbor's) that will be going into the bramblery as soon as the ground thaws.
We will be adding an additional 1200 peony roots to our collection this summer. Lots of work still needs to be done to prepare the land and I am still debating the merits of terracing my lot. Terracing definitely would reduce erosion, but it makes maintenance on an already steep slope more difficult. We are mulling over several potential designs looking for ease of maintenance, added heat capacity, and earlier snowmelt. It was interesting today at our local peony growers meeting when someone raised the question of whether to mulch (in the winter) to protect the roots from the cold. With the potential for sub-zero weather prior to the development of the winter snowpack and after it melts in the spring, there is concern that the eyes on the roots will freeze and die. Not much of a problem so far here on the farm. We have managed to overwinter peonies in pots, although there are definitely some trials going on as we speak with Itoh peonies planted in pots last summer. Only time will tell how different things are here on the farm from other locations in interior Alaska. I did find out that a peony farm at a similar elevation northeast of town is not having as much luck. Their roots are establishing rather slowly and the plants don't bloom until August (about a month late).
With the late start to breakup, we are expecting a longer than usual breakup period. We have postponed our usual "Spring" plant sale until early June, unless the road dries out before that. Either way, our seedlings won't be ready any time soon, since most have yet to be planted! With the abundance of Rubus foliage already vying for window space, there is no place to put seedlings once they sprout.
I will leave you with the latest photo of the bramblery taken yesterday.
On to other news. One blackberry bush is poking its head through the snow - a sign that the voles didn't get everything . . . or that one is dead (they don't like dead things: picky, picky, picky). I have many new varieties of blackberries and raspberries in my house (and a neighbor's) that will be going into the bramblery as soon as the ground thaws.
We will be adding an additional 1200 peony roots to our collection this summer. Lots of work still needs to be done to prepare the land and I am still debating the merits of terracing my lot. Terracing definitely would reduce erosion, but it makes maintenance on an already steep slope more difficult. We are mulling over several potential designs looking for ease of maintenance, added heat capacity, and earlier snowmelt. It was interesting today at our local peony growers meeting when someone raised the question of whether to mulch (in the winter) to protect the roots from the cold. With the potential for sub-zero weather prior to the development of the winter snowpack and after it melts in the spring, there is concern that the eyes on the roots will freeze and die. Not much of a problem so far here on the farm. We have managed to overwinter peonies in pots, although there are definitely some trials going on as we speak with Itoh peonies planted in pots last summer. Only time will tell how different things are here on the farm from other locations in interior Alaska. I did find out that a peony farm at a similar elevation northeast of town is not having as much luck. Their roots are establishing rather slowly and the plants don't bloom until August (about a month late).
With the late start to breakup, we are expecting a longer than usual breakup period. We have postponed our usual "Spring" plant sale until early June, unless the road dries out before that. Either way, our seedlings won't be ready any time soon, since most have yet to be planted! With the abundance of Rubus foliage already vying for window space, there is no place to put seedlings once they sprout.
I will leave you with the latest photo of the bramblery taken yesterday.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Breakup has arrived (finally)!!
It was finally warm enough yesterday to start the snow melting. We still have over 20 inches on the ground. Looks like I'll be walking in for the next several weeks.
I am holding my breath until the first blackberry pokes through the snow cover. I hope the voles didn't eat them again.
I am trying to plant seeds for the upcoming plant sale in May. So far I haven't gotten much done. However, I did discover that at least some of the seeds that spent this last winter (down to -34F) in the pickup are still viable. I found three Subarctic 25 tomato seeds that had germinated today.
Unfortunately, it looks like Chica has seriously injured a wrist. Hopefully she will be back in top shape when the snow melts and the voles can't hide anymore.
I am holding my breath until the first blackberry pokes through the snow cover. I hope the voles didn't eat them again.
I am trying to plant seeds for the upcoming plant sale in May. So far I haven't gotten much done. However, I did discover that at least some of the seeds that spent this last winter (down to -34F) in the pickup are still viable. I found three Subarctic 25 tomato seeds that had germinated today.
Unfortunately, it looks like Chica has seriously injured a wrist. Hopefully she will be back in top shape when the snow melts and the voles can't hide anymore.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Website Updated with Presentation Materials
After a few hours of "technical difficulties" I managed to update the farm website and add links to the presentation materials I will be using Sunday afternoon at the workshop. I will be providing a few copies of the presentation, but if you wouldn't mind please print off a copy to bring with you. I also updated other parts of the webpage, including the plant varieties we will be adding to our trials this summer (marked '2013' after the entry).
I received good news today regarding my collapsed greenhouse. The maker (Shelterlogic) has the parts in stock to save the day and probably at a decent price, including shipping.
See you at the workshop on Sunday!!
I received good news today regarding my collapsed greenhouse. The maker (Shelterlogic) has the parts in stock to save the day and probably at a decent price, including shipping.
See you at the workshop on Sunday!!
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Over 1,000 page views!
As of March 6th, our blog received its 1,000th page view!! Thanks to all of you who have been sharing in the journey, we have hit this milestone.
Don't forget that next Sunday (March 17th) we will be conducting our Gardening Workshop at the Ken Kunkel Community Center from 3pm to 6pm. See you there! Okay -- those of you who live in the Fairbanks area, that is. Everyone else can check out my presentation once I post it to the Farm website.
Don't forget that next Sunday (March 17th) we will be conducting our Gardening Workshop at the Ken Kunkel Community Center from 3pm to 6pm. See you there! Okay -- those of you who live in the Fairbanks area, that is. Everyone else can check out my presentation once I post it to the Farm website.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Don't Forget - Free Gardening Workshop on the 17th
Be sure to mark your calendars for 3pm to 6pm on March 17th (Sunday). We are gearing up for a great workshop on greenhouse gardening and food preservation. Be sure to tell your friends and neighbors about it. I'll try to get the powerpoint presentation up on the farm website next week.
With the days getting longer and the beautiful spring sunshine in great abundance, thoughts turn to green gardens! The last frost is less than 3 months away. Here on the farm, we have already received several shipments of bare root raspberry and blackberry plants and flower buds are forming on our over-wintered bell pepper plants. My green thumb is getting itchy!
On a more decorative note, it appears that peony farms are coming to Goldstream Valley. Here at Solitude Springs Farm, we began dabbling in them three years ago, but decided to go commercial last year. It will be a couple of years before we are really producing these huge and gorgeous blooms in a variety of colors, but we may be able to provide a peek at what a field of peonies in bloom looks like next year. If you are interested (it is neither cheap nor easy) in becoming a peony grower (there is a HUGE market for summer peonies), look up the Alaska Peony Growers' Association and keep an ear out for future meetings of the Interior Alaska Peony Growers. Our next meeting is scheduled for April 7th @ 2pm at the Cooperative Extension Office (location subject to change).
Our 5th annual plant sale is tentatively scheduled to start the 4th weekend in May (Memorial Day weekend). It will take place at the usual location - the gravel pit at Jennifer Dr. and Murphy Dome Rd., although I might try setting up near the Goldstream Store once or twice. Check back later this spring for further details.
Now back to reality. The snow depth is still around 20 inches and temperatures are mostly below freezing. Hundreds of downed trees need to be cut up and the dozer needs to be fixed.
I can dream, can't I?
With the days getting longer and the beautiful spring sunshine in great abundance, thoughts turn to green gardens! The last frost is less than 3 months away. Here on the farm, we have already received several shipments of bare root raspberry and blackberry plants and flower buds are forming on our over-wintered bell pepper plants. My green thumb is getting itchy!
On a more decorative note, it appears that peony farms are coming to Goldstream Valley. Here at Solitude Springs Farm, we began dabbling in them three years ago, but decided to go commercial last year. It will be a couple of years before we are really producing these huge and gorgeous blooms in a variety of colors, but we may be able to provide a peek at what a field of peonies in bloom looks like next year. If you are interested (it is neither cheap nor easy) in becoming a peony grower (there is a HUGE market for summer peonies), look up the Alaska Peony Growers' Association and keep an ear out for future meetings of the Interior Alaska Peony Growers. Our next meeting is scheduled for April 7th @ 2pm at the Cooperative Extension Office (location subject to change).
Our 5th annual plant sale is tentatively scheduled to start the 4th weekend in May (Memorial Day weekend). It will take place at the usual location - the gravel pit at Jennifer Dr. and Murphy Dome Rd., although I might try setting up near the Goldstream Store once or twice. Check back later this spring for further details.
Now back to reality. The snow depth is still around 20 inches and temperatures are mostly below freezing. Hundreds of downed trees need to be cut up and the dozer needs to be fixed.
I can dream, can't I?
Sunday, February 3, 2013
The Date And Location Are Set!
It seems almost everything is nailed down about the upcoming workshop! We have secured the Ken Kunkel Community Center near Ivory Jack's and the Goldstream Store for our workshop on March 17. After we kick off with a presentation on greenhouses, someone from the Cooperative Extension Service will address food safety and preservation. There will be a gardening Q & A after the presentations are over. Be sure to bring all your questions with you! And as usual, there will be a number of door prizes. Make sure to tell your friends!
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