Here We Go.... Spring!

We’re now open on Sundays, 10am-2pm …the season is upon us!!!

Here We Go.... Spring>>>>>>>>>>

And that’s ignoring the wonderful 6”-8” of snow we all got 10 days ago!  Wasn’t that a late winter/early spring treat?!?  And it was if you wanted to make snowmen…it’s also considered poor man’s fertilizer since some aerial nitrogen is drawn down in the heavy snows and enters the soil system…and so many people said that they didn’t need any more cheap fertilizer!!  Kind of fun conversation on a crazy, snowy day in April!

The cold “snap” (not so snappy – took about 10 days to move on!) delayed the store’s deliveries of plants.  We don’t have heat in our greenhouse, and I didn’t want to damage or kill the early deliveries of plants.  The bigger box stores see their plants as mere commodities – and trash them if they weaken.  I just can’t deal with plants that way if its possible not to.  We work hard to keep the plants as strong and healthy as we can from the minute they land with us.  This keeps them strong for you to plant and strong for their own sakes.  Seems like a win/win for sure! Having said all that though – the plants are coming in!!  We have two deliveries scheduled for this week so color and life will once again be gracing the front of the store.  Come in and check out the selection – you’ll find pansies, spring color pots and all kinds of cold veggies like lettuce, cole crops (broccoli/kale etc.), peas and spinach.

We’ve also completely restocked our houseplants with a delightful mix of succulents (including some of the best Lithops “living stones” I’ve ever seen), Pepperomias of a wide array of leaf colors, Callas, Anthuriums, Peace Lilies, Rex Begonias, Azaleas – you get the drift.  Something for every kind of taste and home condition.  We also brought in some topiaried Pentas and Rosemary for something fun to work with for those who have the normal run of plants.  Outside for the summer, inside for the winter and a plant that improves through the years.

And since we’re talking about plants – a word about cultivars and what they can do.  Wikipedia defines it this way – “A cultivar is a kind of cultivated plant that people have selected for desired traits and which retains those traits when propagated.” It’s a fascinating game that we play with the genetics of plants.  This is not the same as genetic modification that introduces “other” DNA (like a bacteria’s DNA) into the genetics of the plant being grown – but it is change from the original potentials of the plant’s DNA strand and can provide you with an unexpected color or larger flower or… whatever trait seems desirable to the person breeding and selecting plant traits. One thing to remember – when a specific trait is selected for – other traits are selected against.  It's just the nature of the endeavor…

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange

We have the Southern Exposure Seed Exchange seed rack (an all-organic seed rack!)  – this is a selection of seeds produced by a small farmer’s cooperative in Virginia - https://www.southernexposure.com that has worked hard to find, produce and market an excellent series of heirloom and open pollinated vegetable varieties – and their seed has excellent quality as well.  I’ve used their seeds for years and the seeds have always germinated quickly and strongly – ready for their new garden homes.

Potatoes – and more potatoes

Then let’s move on to the potatoes – we have over 20 varieties of potatoes for you to choose from!  Why so many??  Why not?!?  You’ll find Kennebecs and Katahdins – the classics, Yukon Gold and Yukon Gem…then take a look at the fingerlings like La Ratte https://fedcoseeds.com/moose/la-ratte-fingerling-potato-7104   and Magic Molly https://fedcoseeds.com/moose/magic-molly-fingerling-potato-7105  and then explore from there.  Personally – my favorite (and my sister’s favorite!) is German Butterball https://fedcoseeds.com/moose/german-butterball-yellow-potato-7142 and we’ve had good luck with Masquerade https://fedcoseeds.com/moose/masquerade-specialty-potato-7132 but there are so many more to look at!  You’ll find an excellent cheat sheet on the table with the potatoes so you’ll be able to choose what suits your family best.

Calcite Lime-we have it!!

We’ve finally got our hands on an excellent calcite (calcium carbonate) lime for garden and farm use.  Why is this important??  Because the cheapest lime to buy in the region is dolomite lime – a combination of calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate…There’s a lot of science here (which I’ll skip!!) but the basics are that there is a fair amount of magnesium in New England’s soils and there needs to be a wide ratio between calcium and magnesium (80%Calcium to 20% Magnesium) in order for your garden plants to thrive. 

The lime we found is a blend created by Nutrien – an agricultural supply company in South Deerfield, MA.  They’ve taken calcium carbonate and combined it with granular humates and chitin.  This means that they’re taking the need for accessible calcium seriously.  The humates help the calcium to bind into the soil colloid and the chitin encourages the fungi in your soil to capture and secure the calcium against leaching.  I’ve seen a whole lot of soil tests at the store this spring that have WAY TOO MUCH MAGNESIUM in the results so this kind of lime is a game changer.  If you don’t remember what calcium is good for – it’s critical to the quality of your plant’s structure (just like it is for your bones!) and it’s even more critical to healthy fruiting – think blossom end rot and woody pit.  Both are classic lacks of absorbable calcium from the plant’s perspective… We’re happy to walk you through all of the sources of calcium so you can figure out what’s best for your particular garden needs.

Ginger - that most wonderful of spices…

Staying in the root crop end of the garden – we still have some ginger to plant.  Ginger wants it WARM to both start and grow in and it’s easier by far to start it on a heat mat, grow it in a black sided pot in a sunny spot – or in a hoop house or other very warm space.

Here’s a copy of the sprouting directions from Fedco seeds:

“To sprout your ginger or turmeric stock, spread 3" of good potting soil in a crate or other well-drained container, arrange the rhizome pieces on top so they aren’t touching, and add soil to cover by a few inches. Nutrient-rich potting soil such as Vermont Compost Fort Vee gives them a great head start.

Keep the soil in your bedded-down crate of ginger or turmeric rhizomes at 80° with a heat mat or in a heated greenhouse. Direct sunlight is helpful, and the heat is crucial. Go light on the watering; especially before sprouts appear, the rhizomes won’t take much water. Only when the soil is dry to the touch should you sprinkle it lightly. Ginger and turmeric are sensitive to overwatering at this stage, but most sprouting failures are due to low or fluctuating temperatures.”

Chickens in the Show Ring!!!

Now we’ll move on to something totally fun and different!  Interest in poultry, in particular chickens, is a rising tide in Central Massachusetts. This started during Covid and is expanding again with the uncertainties of our current moment in time – and the price of eggs!  Some people will be in and out of chickens fast but MANY more are discovering that they really LIKE having chickens around and working with them.  In fact, there is enough of an increased interest that the New England Bantam Club (https://www.facebook.com/groups/243864322438710/)  is hosting a Spring Poultry Show (which has a class for “Backyard Beauties”) in Carver, MA on May 18th – check here for the flyer. So, you may be asking yourself… “How can I show my favorite Buff Orpington, Barred Rock or Dominique?”  at this show… Well, Kim Houde has the answer.  Kim is an active member of the club and is bringing some of her show stock to the store this coming Saturday, April 26th, 10:00am and is going to walk people through the basics of prepping birds for show.  This is a free event so pass the word to everyone who’s interested in chickens.  These will be beautiful birds to look at even if you don’t want to show your own.

April 26: Preparing Chickens for Show, 10:00 – 11:30am.  Kim Houde will show everyone how to set up a chicken for best presentation at a poultry show.  She shows at both the local and the national level and knows what the judges are looking for.  Come and find out for yourself what it takes to prep a chicken for show!!  Free but please call the store – 978-632-0991 – so that we have an idea about how many people are coming.  Please DO NOT bring your own chickens to this event!!!!

And here’s the rest of the line up for classes…

April 26: Developing Healthy Soils, 1:00-2:30pm This is the most important step and everyone needs some basic information. We’ll look at soil tests, soil amendments, composts, cover crops – what goes on when and why – and that weirdly important calcium/magnesium ratio.  Developing healthy soils grows healthy plants, healthy animals and healthy people too!!  This is the workshop that frames the rest of the discussions. $15/person – limit 10

May 4:   Mineral Mixing Day 10:00-11:30pm – Learning how to create a Spring Mineral Mix.  New England soils are very old and damaged soils – but you can change that!!!  Learn how to mix a complex stone dust mix that gets added to all kinds of soil to bring your soil back to life.  You will actually mix the mix yourself and take it home for your garden(s).  Ask all kinds of questions too!!  Space limited so reserve early.  Cost of mix (weighed out individually at the end of the workshop) to be determined by current delivered prices. $15/person plus the cost of mix. Limit 10 per session

June 28: Managing Gardens For Health and Production-Working with Foliar Sprays, 10:00-11:30 am Here’s where the rubber really hits the road – or should I say leaf??  Foliar sprays can kill insects and diseases directly, but they can also be used to prevent problems from developing and can directly increase the base line health of your plants.  If you’re planning on eating anything from your plants then you’ll also see an improvement in flavor.  limit 10 – and includes enough foliar support for you to spray a gallon when you get home. ($30/person includes leaf inoculants) 

July 19: Troubleshooting the Garden, 1:00-2:30pm You’re back from July 4th vacation and problems have arrived (or are about to!).  This is the time when the expected energy drop in the garden occurs and problems of all kinds becomes amazingly clear. Now’s the time to get on top of whatever is going wrong.  Bring your questions (and any leaves or insects – well contained!) and we’ll see what we can do.  $15.00/person – limit 10

Whew – that’s a lot!!!  Don’t worry, we’ll be reminding you of upcoming events, but it’s sometimes helpful to have the whole schedule put in front of you. 

So, come on in and see what the season has to offer!  We look forward to seeing you!