What to do with Insects in organics?

My help seems to wonder sometimes why I check out the critters in the greenhouse before getting rid of them.  (Especially the spiders)  It’s simple.  In an organic greenhouse we welcome those times when we can create a bit of a balanced system that can keep plants healthy.  Some spiders, like wolf spiders and daddy long legs ; frogs and toads; and praying mantis, eat many of the harmful insects  (Those that chew holes in the leaves or spread plant diseases).  Of course they are just fun to have around sometimes too.  I get the strangest looks though when I thank them and ask them to move over a little before I water or harvest.

New Site Finished

Finally, the new site is complete. I hope you like the way it looks. Most of the site is the same. We obviously still offer fabulous organic wheatgrass, pet grass, seasonal vegetables, culinary flowers, and herbs. However, the site now features tips and tricks (found on the resource page), more photos, and recipes. The home page is also much snazzier. The blue box features three items of recent news. Just click on each title to see the story. I think the picture of the month is especially cute. Check out the new site! It's the same URL if you've got our site marked as a favorite or bookmark (which we highly recommend!).

I hope you all enjoyed the fall festival today. I wish I could have been there. It sounded like a blast! Have a great night!

First Annual Fall Open House

     We are working hard today to try and be ready for the Open House in Jefferson the 23rd.  We were hoping that the pumpkins and squash would not have to come in until Saturday night but as things go on a farm  the frost is coming tonight.  And, while frost on the pumpkins sounds pretty (and I agree in a way it is) it sure doesn't do the pumpkins much good.  A few more herbs need to come into the greenhouse too.
    Depending on where you are living, perhaps you will need to be ready for a frost tonight too.  Here are a few hints to keep in mind when planning for dips in the temperature.  1.  Check the dew point around 3:00PM - this is a good indicator of the low through the night.  2.  Take into consideration clouds and wind.  A clear night with a full moon will have the greatest risk of the more severe chill.  Clouds and wind will protect you some.  3.  Remember the low will be in the morning hours so if you get home after work and it is dark already, there is still time to throw a blanket over your favorite plants.  If you haven't already noticed these first few frost are the time to check in the morning and see what spots at your home are in the most danger or frost and which are protected some.  Look just as the sun is coming up in the morning and take note of the the frosty spots.  This will help you make good planting decisions in the future as regard to those more tender perennials.  Another up side to the frost, for many fruits and vegetables it takes a frost to bring out the very best in sugars and taste.  Now - you can sleep tight tonight, enjoy a pretty morning walk in the morning,  and we hope to  see you on Saturday!

Fall in Wisconsin

What a beautiful day.  May be a little warm for October but gorgeous.  The leaves are really beginning to color our world with fall and I spent the trip from the East troy site to the Jefferson site with the window open and singing oldies.  My path takes me past hills and trees, wild turkeys, bicyclist and horse back riders.  Luckily my singing didn't share the horses.  I had to pull the shade cloth back over the greenhouse and open the side vents more today in Jefferson as the temperatures climb.  The East Troy site is shading itself with all the garden peach tomatoes that we left to grow in that house.  The winter spinach is about 2" high and the first beds of herbs and culinary flowers for the winter market are already starting to bloom.  We are still picking up pumpkins and winter squashes out of the field but plenty of cured ones are lined up in front of the barn in Jefferson and the hillside by the greenhouse in East Troy.  Come on out and pick out your favorites.  I like to use them as decorations on the table in the house or with a corn shock (we've got those too) by the door for a while before I cut into them.  Of course there is that first pumpkin pie that just won't wait.  Have a wonderful day!

Too Long Since Last Update!

July 25, 2009
Oh my, I'm afraid we got so busy here that we forgot to update this; so sorry!! T here are lots of exciting changes going on this month. Hopefully, we will be updating this more regularly again shortly. We can't wait to tell you all about our new growth and exciting new greenhouses! Speaking of which, I'm heading out to go water the wheatgrass right now. I'll be back soon. Who knows, maybe we'll even have a new and improved website by then?!

Enjoy the beautiful summer we're having, ttyl

Moving Pipe

 July 6, 2009
Still no rain, so the weeding/harvest crew started the day moving irrigation pipe.  There is a bit of a learning curve when it comes learning how to lay out and start up irrigation.  Just imagine watching what a crew member thought was just a little leaking near a joint of pipe, the water being turned up and an explosion of water.   When I asked how wet DJ got, Danni exclaimed "not as wet as I did".

Radishes are perfect right now and ready to bunch.  The color is perfect for the season, just a little sweet and spicy at the same time.   I like them plain and best straight out of the ground.  There are some great recipes out there too.  I'll try to get one out there soon but  maybe you have a favorite you'd like to share.

Les and I cut willows to use in the greenhouse today.  The crew will be putting them into the greenhouse in the morning.  One of our favorite crops here is Les' cucumbers.  They are grown in the field but also down the center of the greenhous.  We begin with a frame work of supports in the ceiling of the greenhouse.  Strings hang from the supports down to the cucumber plants in the bed below.  As the cucumbers grow, they grow up the string toward the roof.  Les is known for a wonderful slicing cucumber, green completely around the cucumber and a flesh so mild you will never want to peel it.  If you've ever had Les' cucumbers your mouth is propably watering already.  We'll let you know when they're ready for eating.