Cover Crops Workshop

Hi folks! I got this in my email and thought that I would pass it along here on our blog in case there are any Ontario farmers among our readers.

Sláinte!

Laurel

Managing Your Cover Crops for Healthy Soil: Summer & Fall Field Work Offered in partnership by the Ecological Farmers of Ontario (EFO) and FarmStart. Cover Cropping is one of the most important tools we have for building up soil organic matter and fertility and managing weeds on organic farms. This practical two-part workshop, led by Ignatius farm manager Lorne Jamieson, will introduce you to different kinds of cover crops and demonstrate how to do the required field work. From ploughing in an old hay field, to discing and cultivating and planting a variety of cover crops, this workshop will provide you with the knowledge you need to manage your own fields. If you have new land that you want to put into production or are looking to start using cover crops on your farm, this is the workshop for you! Part I: Introduction to Cover Cropping & Summer Field Work (July 9th) This first session will introduce cover cropping and the required tools and implements, and demonstrate typical summer field work. Topics will include: Why cover crop? Different cover crops and their specific characteristics Field equipment and when/how to use it Demonstration of ploughing down a hay field Demonstration of discing, cultivating and planting a summer cover crop (i.e. buckwheat) Looking at a variety of cover crops at different stages of growth Part II: Fall Field Work & Winter Preparation (October 15th) Come back in the fall to learn about the second phase of field work and preparing the ground for winter. Topics will include: Choosing the right winter cover crop for your needs Demonstration of working in summer cover crops (i.e. mow, plough, disc, cultivate) Demonstration of planting a fall cover crop (i.e. rye, oats) Discussion on frost seeding, compost/manure application, soil testing and amendments When: Part I - Saturday July 9 (rain date Sunday July 10),12:30pm – 4pm Part II - Saturday October 15 (rain date Sunday October 16),12:30pm – 4pm Where: Ignatius Farm, 5420 Highway 6 North, Guelph Cost: $120 (includes both days); $100 for Ecological Farmers of Ontario (EFO) members To register: Click Here For More information on FarmStart Programs please visit www.FarmStart.ca

Luverly of the Week: Horse Feathers

photo by Alicia J Rose

I LOVE this band. They are awesome and that is all that there really is to say about Horse Feathers. Here is some of their pretty, pretty music for your enjoyment. :)

Sláinte!

Laurel

Kinda, Sorta on Schedule

We've been a tad behind getting all the beds dug and planted {third year in a row, I'd say we're well on our way to making that a trend}, but we only have one and half to floof up and three to plant. Not so bad I suppose.

In the beds that are done we currently have:

Hobo Turnips
Giant Red Mustard
Dinosaur Kale
"Devon" Peas
Peas for Peace
Blue Jay Bush Beans
Contender Bush Beans
Tanya's Pink Podded Bush Beans
Purple Mustache Pole Beans
French Climbing Pole Beans
Russian Mammoth Sunflowers
Henri Wild Sunflowers
Autumn Sunset Sunflowers
Acorn Squash
Buttercup Squash
Blue Hubbard Squash
Small Sugar Pumpkins
Strange Zucchini
Pink Lady Tomatoes {which was accidental, I thought it was an "Old Timer"}
Old Timer Tomatoes
Roma Tomatoes
Yellow Pear Tomatoes

{an overview of the finished veggie patch. pictures of the other to come}

{peas, kale, mustard, and hobo turnips}

{tomatoes and zucchini in this bed}

Once we finish the rest of the beds we will be planting cantaloupes, melons, nasturtiums, more pole beans and sunflowers, and probably more hobo turnips. There is enough room in one of the already cultivated beds for more tomatoes and some basil too.

We finally got the plant part of our order from Richters, and considering they travelled through the post, I think they look pretty good. They just need some time to settle in.

{patchouli}

{common foxgloves}

{munstead lavender & wormwood pictured}

{common comfrey}

We've got a whole bunch of stuff growing in containers too, which seem to be doing well.

{giant red mustard}

{mixed lettuce & cupani sweet peas}

{red russian kale}

{crop circle radish}

{egg turnip}

{johnny-jump-ups}

We recently planted wild tobacco {Nicotiana rustica} and tatters {Norland & Burbank Russet}, along with some flowers, herbs, and other veggies.

{burbank russet potatoes}

{norland potatoes}

The "garden" and "lawn" in the front was quite neglected last year when we moved in, and I suspect it had been that way for quite a few years before that. It is still pretty though and there are a whole bunch of useful and luverly plants that are growing in the front.

{chives and not too sure}

{white columbine}

And I will be able to do my first real harvest of herbs soon{by the looks of it: lemon balm, spearmint, peppermint, thyme, oregano, motherwort, chamomile and sweet woodruff}! :D

{sweet woodruff}

Sláinte!

Laurel

Happiness for me is...

Knowing that I am loved, imperfections and all.

{royalty free photo}

Having dirt under my nails and sweat on my brow.

{photo by Lauren Mitchell}

The smell of rotting leaves and woodsmoke.

{royalty free photo}

Moving with Fate.

{royalty free photo}

Mastering a useful skill.

{photo source}

Crows cawing in our yard for their morning yum-yums, and the sound of them laughing as I bring it out.

{photo by North60}

Snorgling under a mountain of blankets with my furball and my better half in the heart of Winter.

Frolicking in the woods and then having a picnic on a bed of moss underneath and old tree.

{royalty free photo}

Seeing old farmsteads revived and used as farms once again.

{photo by Gregg Obst}

Witnessing random acts of kindness.

{photo by ~maya*maya~}

Getting lost in a pile of good books.

{photo by Lin Pernille}

Seeing elders pass on their wisdom to eager young-folk.

{royalty free photo}

Horses! The whisker rubs, the long rides, the whinnies, the smell of hay. Even scooping up their muffins for the garden compost pile. Everything about them makes me giddy.

{photo by kelsey_lovefusionphoto}

Saving and sharing seeds. It's like giving a middle finger salute to the corporate thugs who think that they can patent and own life.

{photo by kt.ries}

Remembering just how much influence my Grandparents had on me and being told that in many ways I am like them.


*********

What is happiness for you?

Sláinte!

Laurel

A Picnic w/ Musical Food ;)

The luverly folks over at the Piebird Bed & Breakfast are having their 3rd Annual Picnic Marathon on August the 7th in Nipissing Village, Ontario.

You can bring your own garbage-free lunch or have vegetarian yummies made and grown by Sherry & Yan of Piebird. Lake of Stew will be playing their fun music too!

Lake of Stew || Sweet as Pie [official music video] from Dare To Care Records on Vimeo.

Tickets are available online for $20 advance and will be $25 at the gate. Vegetarian lunches are $10 and will only be available for advanced purchase online.


Sláinte!

Laurel