WHO GARDENS IN FEBRUARY?.....WE DO!!!!

As the sisters that live in New England are blanketed with three feet of snow, and we are teased with a few shirt sleeve days here and there, we are reminded why we chose an out of the way little farm plot on the north end of the great state of Texas. Year around farming!!! The Farmer and Son have been "making hay" while the sun shines, and  even when it doesn't, preparing for Spring planting. The biggest decision of the day is "Do I put my coveralls and toboggen on, or is it just a jacket and cap day". The slower pace of winter on the farm is coming to an abrupt end as so many preparations are being made for the coming year. The strawberries are being weeded, the fruit trees have been pruned, the old beds in the hoop house have been replaced by slick, shiny new ones, the asparagus patch has been mowed, the fields have been plowed, the onions have been planted, as well as the first of the seed trays. It will soon be time to plant the potatoes, carrots, beets. The does are in the last stages of preparing for the coming kidding season. Busy days and sleepless nights are in the not so distant future. We can hardly wait! Decisions are being made as to what direction we will go this year with our dairy and produce. What will we experiment with this year? The Farmers son wants to expand with aquaponics and fish. We just might have some farm fresh Tilapia. Our mushroom experiment last year was a bust. Upon further research he has come up with a new plan. Something about logs, spores, climate control. Hopefully some time this year, our steaks will be smothered with our own sauteed shitake mushrooms. The olive trees survived the mild winter, although it is a little early to buy an olive press. We shared in the raising of pigs this past year, furnishing spent squash, watermelons, pumpkins, etc., with the number two Brother. The Farmer took five to the market this past month. As we are feasting on fresh cured ham, lean bacon, and gently seasoned breakfast sausage, it was decided we would go ahead and bring the pig operation home to the farm. We have plenty of out of the way corners, a ways away from the homeplace to built a pig pen. If the odor becomes a little offensive, a fresh slab of bacon will be thrown in the skillet to remind us why we are raising pigs..... here....on the farm....within throwing distance......right under our noses...... Our CSA program will resume. We will post information in March regarding applications, at which time we will be able to have a guestimation of how many shares we will be able to provide each week. MARKET HOURS: Friday from noon until 4:00 PM, Saturday from 10:00 until 4:00 pm. Special appointments can be made throughout the week for dairy pickup. From our farmstead to your table, thank you for all of your support!!