The Planting Crew

 Hastings greetings,

Barb, Brian, Alisa, Den and I planted ten rows of potatoes, and most of the Sylvia garden this weekend at the Farm. Alisa roto tilled the garden with Dennis her mentor. Then Alisa Barb and Brian planted corn and beans ( green beans, yellow beans, pinto beans, and black turtle beans). I helped them plant two colors of onion sets, beets. The wind picked up so we held off on lettuce and carrots seeds for now.  Unsure about the kale status.

While that scenario was happening, Dennis got the tractor started and prepared the potato field.  Then Alisa drove the John Deere and I sat on the potato planter to plant the traditional three kinds of potatoes:  Yukon, Reds, Russets, and Basement Mix( last years leftovers).   Planted five rows last year so we will have a bumper crop at ten rows, for you to enjoy, with excess to Phillips Food Shelf.

Brian attracted a couple wood ticks while birding behind the Maris compound. Den worked on starting the chainsaw.  I cleared the asparagus from last year’s growth, and voila, we watched the asparagus grow six inches in 24 hours!  Roasted it in olive oil at 450 degrees for ten minutes and yummy!  We pulled a few weeds in the flower beds but oh dear, it started to rain, so we played 500 cards for hours!  After Alisa drove home, Brian and I took on the siblings, Saturday night, and again Sunday morning with coffee.  So fun.  Even though I lost.

Barb, Den and Brian fixed the front screen door that blew off this winter.  We will post photos on the Farm Blog soon.

Nicola, Anna and Franticeks granddaughter from the Czech Republic, is visiting us soon.  Nicola was doing graduate studies in International something in Montreal Canada this winter, and arrived from Vancouver to San Francisco this past weekend.   The last I heard our grandkids were biking her to the local Walnut Creek Farmers Market for strawberries and pastries!

Nicola arrives here next Wednesday, May 25.  We will take her to the Farm over Memorial Weekend, finish planting the garden, and more cards!   Then working on details to get her to Milwaukee with her three suitcases.

Doug, we fly to Copenhagen on June 4 for a couple days until we head to Norway.  Any suggestions for touring and restaurants?  Thanks!

Hope to see you all in August when the Oregon group arrives to Oconomowoc!

Stay safe and eat your asparagus.  Think fresh potatoes!

Marilyn 

Easter at the Farm with Mariann, Lou and Barb.  A lot of card playing and nothing much else accomplished.  The temperature finally got above 32 degrees on Easter afternoon.