PATRIOTISM

GOSPEL

From WWII - but so aptly applies today.

SEEDS, SEEDS, SEEDS

T-shirt weather in Minnesota is 46  degrees!  Dirty, brown grass and mud slithering out from under the layers of snow.  Dripping water from down spouts.  Sounds of pages turning in seed catalogs and discussions of what about trying this variety?  My sister, Mick, was here and left for home renewed and excited about the upcoming growing season, several weeks away, BUT it's coming.

We were all over the subject page  - crop rotation, green sand, amending soils, cover crops, green manure, hoop houses, poly tunnels, sorrel, what to grow, where to plant what, and who not to buy seed from.   We try to focus on organic seed when available, purchase from other 'seed savers', use our own carry over seeds, and the remainder of our seeds purchased from reputable companies.  We do not purchase any GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) because we believe nature is perfection and us 'humans' are best to take life's lessons from her versus a 'manmade concoction'.  I know there are a lot of veg growers who follow this blog, along with our consumers, so I thought it would be helpful to add some links regarding seed companies - The Good, Bad, and the Ugly.


We like flowers too!!!

These are seed companies we purchase from:

1)  SEED SAVERS - DECORAH, IOWA

2)  TOMATO FEST - CALIFORNIA

3)  JOHNNY'S SEEDS - MAINE - (Johnny's does purchase some of their seeds from Seminis (owned by Monsanto) but are phasing out what they can.)

4)  HARRIS SEEDS - (We use Harris mainly for growing supplies that we cannot obtain from our local company, Jordan Seeds.)

5) JORDAN SEEDS - WOODBURY, MN - (We use mainly for supplies but have purchased bulk flower seeds that attract beneficials.)

These two links will assist you to discern which companies you want to do business with:

1) DAVE'S GARDEN - WHO OWNS WHAT

2) GARDEN OF EATIN - HOW TO AVOID MONSANTO

Get busy, get ordering and happy surfing!

JANUARY 31 2011

It's snowing in Minnesota today but that's what it does here.  We are thankful for the snow because it will provide the replenishing moisture when spring comes.  Along with the snow we are blessed with cold temperatures.  The 18 degrees today actually felt balmy and it was easy to keep the house at 70 degrees with the wood stove.

We have bluebirds that live here in the winter, along our little Wells Creek.  Typically four or five of them will follow us along the river bank and this morning a bald eagle gave us the eye as he flew off down stream.  He was sitting high above the creek near open water.  Watching for breakfast would be my guess and we unknowingly interrupted him.  We being Amber Jo and Daisy Mae as we took a jaunt to the snow covered beach before our day got involved with computer work and ongoing spring planning.

Daisy Mae is growing like a weed and she takes every opportunity she can to let Amber Jo know it.   She's still not quite sure of herself around the fertilizer team who have been taking their job very seriously this winter.

I believe from the robust cover over their backs their ability to convert feed to fat is very efficient.  As the prove lies on the ground composting away to be applied to fields this fall.  Gross huh? 

That's a cold, snowy winter day at Sol 'N Tyne.  Thanks for reading.

HERE COMES 2011

Daisy Mae!

Our newest addition to the farm, Daisy Mae, won't get many of these days in just a very short time!!!  It is already January 6, 2011.  Six days into the new year and the napping puppy days are counting away quickly as we are busy planning for the 2011 growing season.

Our CSA memberships continue to grow, our restaurants are excited about what we are offering, and our farmer's market plans expand. 



Deb and Tugboat on a cold day!






The cold and snow allow the restorative time we need to rejuvenate and generate value added ideas for both our CSA members (2011 CSA) and our other customers.

  Fresh, natural, local produce - ahhhhhhh it's not so far off now!

Chives from 2010