It's May

It's May, it's May, it's May! Despite all the cool and damp weather this spring, the farm season here at Minglewood is in full swing. Things have greened up nicely in the past few days; daffodils are blooming and tulips in the south facing garden are out too. Before this latest bout of showers, we were able to get the fields plowed and the first crops in the ground. We are entirely on schedule for the season - a statement I rarely am able to make - so life is good.

Friday was our first harvest of the season and everything went smoothly. Our new farm helper, Carly, picked up on the routines like an old hand, and appears to be a natural. Desiree, a four year Minglewood veteran, set a pace even I couldn't keep up with. It's always a pleasure to have experienced helpers returning to the farm.

Cutting baby salad greens

Every year I panic that we won't have anything to sell at the first market, but somehow the plants know their time is coming and seem to have a real growth spurt the week before market. We didn't have a lot of excess, but were able to harvest a respectable amount of salad greens from the greenhouse and lettuce fieldhouse.

First harvest of lettuce from the fieldhouse

Friday was a chilly raw day, so it was nice to be able to seal up the packing shed from the elements and stay reasonably comfortable while washing and drying the greens. Such an improvement from out old set up, which was basically an open sided pole building that the wind just whipped through.

Washing and packing for market

Opening day ceremonies at the market

Saturday was a bit cool and overcast, not the nicest day for opening day at the market, but we had a good turn out of loyal farmer's market fans. Saratoga's mayor, Joanne Yepsen, and market president, Charles Holeb, oversaw the festivities to officially open the outdoor market for the season.

Time to start the garden

In addition to salad and sprouts, we had a nice assortment of vegetable transplants for sale. It's still too early to plant things like tomatoes and peppers, but the perfect time to plant lettuce, broccoli, kale, and some of the herbs. We also brought salad baskets to sell - these are literally a living salad, still growing. Each contains an assortment of lettuce and other types of greens like arugula, mustard, mizuna, and tatsoi, and even edible flowers. They make a beautiful table centerpiece, but are entirely edible, just snip individual leaves to add to your salad, and then let the plants grow back for future cutting. The baskets are always a hit for Mother's Day... so don't forget about mom.

Tammara selling at market

We had quite a few customers sign up for our Club Minglewood pre-buy program, and we thank them dearly for signing up early. This really helps the farm out with the early season cash flow, when expenses are high, but income is low. It also allows customers to save from 10% to 20% off our product all season long. To find out more about the program and how it works, visit our website at newminglewoodfarm.com and go to the Club Minglewood tab.

That's about all the news for now, I gotta go to work.