April 21 - the tree swallow has arrived (20 days later than last year). Frogs in the marsh started croaking. The Wilson's snipe has begun its winnowing aerial display. I expect black bears in the next couple days, cottonwood trees will pop soon and birch sap must be flowing.
April 22 - black bear sow and cub spotted, birch sap is running, cottonwood trees yet to pop open. Windy from north, expect change in weather pattern. Soil is drying.
April 23 - early morning snow.
My farm journal entries the past few days have been exciting, so when I awoke early Sunday morning to discover snow, I was a bit less than enthusiastic about starting the day.
I know the snow will be gone in a matter of hours of it falling but the arrival of the tree swallows so late this year does signal a later spring. In terms of getting on the land and beginning to plow however, I believe we will be on time.
As I get closer and closer to the planting season, I have become busier and busier and after this column is submitted I will no longer be able to write again until October. As I missed last week's deadline for submitting an article, my many grateful readers let me know of my tardiness.
We will have one more weekend of the farmers' market in town to peddle the last of our spuds and a little bit of our greenhouse greens which is still a bit scant.
It is the season for beginning anew. As the season truly begins, the flowing of birch sap is something to help sleepy bodies join in the enthusiasm and strength of courting birds whom have returned from far away journeys.
Our greenhouse (high tunnel, hoop house or whatever you want to call it) we purchased is up and holding nice temperatures overnight and we used the old Ukrainian backhoe to dig up the beds to over a foot in height to help shed water, absorb heat and give plants a lot of growing depth.
The tense muscles throughout the process after a relatively easy winter, felt as invigorating and as a clumsy colt learning to run, shaky at first but gaining speed and endurance with each step.
After beds were dug, drip tape was tested and placed on top of the beds and then the beds were covered with silage tarp, black side up to prevent weed growth and aid in warming the soil (a trick I learned over the years to increase yields, decreases weeding and water needs).
As we begin the new season, I must offer a deep hearted thanks to all our customers, our supporters and cheerleaders, for the encouragement, the financial support from purchases, and the overall support in our efforts to increase the food security of the region with certified organic practices. Without our loyal followers and customers, we would not be able to do what we are doing. So, thank you for being the army in our corner. We strive to make each year more fruitful and abound in wholesome goodness from your investment with us.
While we strive to produce abundant produce and our own sustainable income, we also encourage everyone to grow a garden - no matter how small or large - and we welcome the frequent questions on how to maximize your efforts. It is our belief that we as a society, maintain the culture in agriculture, less it will be in the hands of multinational conglomerates.
Turning over our collective heritage and culture to corporations bent on maximizing the shareholders bank accounts will lead to a population dependent on the whims of the global market and changing climate conditions worldwide and, if history is an indicator of the future, each empire fails when famine arrives.
Eat local, eat organic when possible and tend a good garden.
Have a wonderful season, Prince George.
