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May Farm Tour Photos / Farm Work Day Info

March 19, 2008

The Spring Rush

The past two weeks have been a bustle of spring activity. The oak trees that were skeletons on the hills through the winter have shot out this year’s leaves, which are neon green and make the trees look like big, green fuzzy clouds hovering over the hills. In the green grass below the oak trees, where the hills meet Cache Creek, I saw a flock of turkeys last week. All of the Toms (males) were strutting around with their tails fully fanned showing off to their hens – they were much more amused by the insects and shoots found in the grass. Scattered below the oak trees are acorn shells that have given up their meats to deer. Scattered throughout these shells are some small oak trees – the results of the acorns that were able to work their way into the topsoil deep enough to find the moisture needed to sprout and the protection needed to find the time to do so. Spring is everywhere.

The farming aspect of the valley is progressing also. Last week we transplanted our first tomato planting into the ground. Ricardo made another round of seeding the line up of greens and roots: beets, carrots, spinach, arugula and lettuce. Bok choy was on this list until I realized that growing bok choy in the spring is not easy.

The problem with bok choy is that the mechanism in this plant that triggers the growing of flowers to make seeds is triggered by the change in daylight hours. In the fall, when the days are getting shorter, the bok choy sits out in the field in perfect condition, waiting to be harvested – or so I thought. It turns out that the bok choy was waiting for the days to get longer and soon as this happens the plants erupt into three-foot tall flowering greens. All of the bok choy that we planted after December 21st bolted and turned to flowers before I was able to harvest any of it.

It has not been extremely warm but it has been sunny and windy – which dries out the soil. My watchful eye on the internet browser (www.weather.gov) has not been predicting any rain so we are setting up the irrigation systems for the summer and have started pumping water from the creek onto thirsty little plants.

Every tractor on the farm is roaring. We are mowing the fields that are no longer producing – the most recently added to the list is the kale, which have also gone to flower. Ricardo is disking the field that will be home to this year's peppers, eggplant and okra. Other fields are being worked in preparation for shallot and onion seeds.

That feeling has settled into my stomach, the tingling sensation that lets me know that we will be extremely busy from now until next fall. Enjoy our boxes this week - Thaddeus

Watch for upcoming events !!

Our Next Farm Tour is May 3, 2008.

FFTY Events 2008

Open to all FFTY customers:

Saturday, May 3rd, 11:00 am FFTY Farm Event – Strawberry Harvest ⋅ Strawberry picking, farm walk, picnic
Saturday, August 23rd, 11:00 am FFTY Farm Event – Tomato Harvest ⋅ Tomato picking, recipe swap, farm walk, picnic
Saturday, October 18th, 11:00 am FFTY Farm Event – Picking Pumpkins ⋅ Selecting pumpkins for carving, farm walk, picnic
Saturday, December 6th, 11:00 am FFTY Farm Event – Grapevine Wreaths ⋅ Pruned grape vines will be used to make wreaths

Tickets Required (more information to come):

Saturday, July 26th, 4:00 pm Farm Fresh To You and Slow Food Yolo present an Heirloom Tomato Gala to celebrate the life and accomplishments of Kathleen Barsotti

Purchase tickets in advance; partnered with Slow Food Yolo
Tickets will be available in the beginning of April
Proceeds above expenses will go to the Kathleen Barsotti Non-Profit for Sustainable Agriculture. The specific purpose of the non-profit is to benefit the public by promoting sustainability in agriculture and life. The programs of the non-profit may include:
- Awarding scholarships to young women pursuing an education that focuses on integrating sustainable agriculture into our society
- Providing educational assistance to children of farm workers ⋅
- Educating the public about sustainable farming practices

Bring a picnic, family and friends to come out and see
the farm. Call or email the office with questions, and
we cannot wait to see you in Capay!

Farm News

April 16, 2008
Spring Heat

April 9, 2008
Farming Weeds

April 2, 2008
The Canal Season

March 26, 2008
Spring Overload

March 19, 2008
The Spring Rush

March 12, 2008
The Frog Hole

March 5, 2008
Light Brown Apple Moth

February 27, 2008
Herb Garden

February 20, 2008
Cental Valley Agriculture

February 13, 2008
Greenhouse Time