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May Farm Tour Photos / Farm Work Day Info

March 29 , 2006

Getting Tractors in the Field, Ready or Not - Thaddeus

Today half of the crew is out transplanting tomatoes into the field we prepared for them last February. Today is not the most ideal of circumstanes to be transplanting tomatoes. The ground is a little wet, the soil is sticking to the tractor tires - but the conditions are only expected to get worse with the forecast of rain tonight. So, we are pushing things a bit in an effort to feel the relief of having tomato planting number one in the ground. Ricardo is also busy direct seeding some greens into the field by the creek. The conditions there are better because the soil has more sand and rock in it, meaning water drains out of it more quickly, making it the first place on the farm that can handle the weight on the wheels of our tractors.
It is a strange “spring”, maybe “wet spring” is a better description. The fruit trees seem a bit confused also. Generally the winter is extremely cold, providing lots of chilling hours for the trees to set their clocks to “officially dormant”. This followed by a warm and dry March resetting their clocks to “officially spring and time to get started” is what makes the trees flower and under those conditions that is what they do - flower quickly and together. This year has been different . The winter was kind of cold, but not really cold. March has been a mixture of wet and cold combined with warm dry days. This has resulted in flowers on the fruit trees coming out very sporadically - not all at once. It will be interesting to see what type of influence this has on the fruit set and the yield to follow.
The hills are extremely green and a flush of tender green leaves have covered the tops of the oak trees. I really enjoy watching the oak trees change with the seasons. Their presence is so defined and permanent and they do not hesitate to change as one with the seasons. I often notice that all the oak trees on the surrounding hills appear to be about the same size - indicating that they are about the same age. Are they all siblings born from the same generation of trees old enough to have come and gone before my ancestors ever laine eyes on them? What are the conditions and reason for the fact that the hills have no trees that are as old as the oak trees I planted in the yard as a young boy?
Enjoy your boxes and rest assured that our farm is doing everything we can to get you spring and summer crops as soon as possible - regardless of the weather. - Thaddeus

Customer Work Day Update
Date: Sunday, April 9th
Our next work day on the farm will be held on Sunday, April 9th, from 8am to 12pm. We look forward to getting dirty in wholesome Capay dirt with you!
Plant some summer veggies!
Pull some weeds! Meet Bear, the dog, and his entourage!
Get dirty & sweaty, & feel GOOD!

Please email: noah@farmfreshtoyou.com to
reserve space for you, family and friends.

Plan on arriving at the farm early in the morning, as close to 8am as possible, and bringing a lunch to enjoy out in the orchard.
We'll plan on wrapping things up around noon due to the heat,
and you'll be free to relax in the shade of the trees and
have lunch afterward.