Winds of Change

As the earth is getting closer to the sun and I see it shining in my South facing windows more brightly every morning….well, almost every morning! I’m reminded that it’s time! Time to get my seeds started. The daylight hours continue being pushed back further as I tend to my barnyard animals in the evening. And the winds of change are starting to blow, reminding me that March 20, is not far off. Henny, Penny & Jenny are praying they don’t have lift off this morning as the gusts sweep under them. The balmy temperatures are just a tempting taste of what’s to come. Frizzy hair!!!!

Although winter is far from over here in Zone 6/7 of the Mid-Atlantic Region. With our daytime temp’s dipping back into the 30′s for the high this week, I’m excited by the sweet taste of Spring that we had if ever so briefly. If you think about it….each season for us here in the Mid-Atlantic Region is approximately 100 days; give or take. That’s really not a lot of time.  But for those of us who dread the winter, at least we know that in 100 days or less…it’s over!

It helps me deal with cabin fever by getting my little seed packs and playing with some dirt. It’s time to get the tomatoes and onions started. I’ve never started onions before, so this will be a first. Last year I had an early start with the tomatoes and I think it did make a difference is how soon we got a tomato. Usually we wait until August….which in my book is VERY late. Last year we had tomatoes in July due to the early start.

I’m glad I laid all my seeds out on Sunday. Because the one seed I REALLY wanted, January King Cabbage was out of stock! And I didn’t even check. I found another source and it seems as if they had plenty so I hope that it gets here soon so I can get it started. I can never calculate how much seed I need. Especially when it comes to the tiny seeds like Kale, Spinach, Carrots and the root veggies. When you think 400 carrot seeds….that seems like a lot. But then you are always thinning and you pull at least half up. I seem to go through 2 packets of carrot seeds a summer and then I don’t have any left for fall planting….not this year. I’m really trying to calculate better and if I have extra then they will go in the seed saver. Except last year I bought a ton of corn, so that should still be good for this year.  I am just really not good at estimating how many seeds I need to grow X amount of food! Are you???

Record keeping is my #1 goal this year, especially with my small farm. I have a “cute” (everything for me is cute) little farm journal calendar that I keep record of breeding, feed purchases, eggs, etc. It’s a day planner for farmers. I love it!  I hope to keep a garden journal on my computer other than what’s here on this blog, although this is a good record keeper. But having someplace to keep charts for rotating crops, and what seed produced the best, and seed saving info will make my life a bit easier……or just plain funner! Or NOT!

I haven’t had much luck in the past starting herbs from seed. Other than the typical like sage, dill, borage, etc. I did order a couple more herbs to try and start, but I have several plants that I still would like to get a hold of.

I’ve learned a lot from my friend Nita the Matron of Husbandry of Throwback at Trapper Creek as far as how to store root veggies in dirt mounds and how to store boxes of potatoes in the barn surrounded by hay bales. She is so fortunate as to be living in the Cascade hills of Oregon, on land that has been passed down for generations. Although I believe we are in the same growing “zone”, she seems to have a much milder climate then we do in the Mid-Atlantic Region.

But as I learn, my way of growing food changes. I’ve taken on the mentality that the garden is for the months of darkness when not much grows. Although we harvest plenty to eat in the spring and summer months, most of my bounty is for “putting up”.  I chose to brine over pickling….not only is it easier, it’s more nutrient-dense…more bang for your buck! I chose to dry or freeze over canning which to me destroys your entire efforts…..although……having said that, I only have so much room in the freezer and I may have to revert to canning in order to preserve more of the harvest.

Frankly, I believe that times are a changin. They already have for lots of folks in America. Folks who never prepared for hard times. Folks who didn’t see it comin. Folks who are now wondering how they are going to pay their electric bill, mortgage and even put food in their kids mouths. Folks who are learning that the borrower IS slave to the lender. These folks can begin by planting a garden. Our ancestors grew “Victory Gardens” in support of WWII. There was little to eat then and there may come a time in your life when there is little to eat. Why not be prepared for the Winds of Change. They do come and they don’t usually announce that they are coming.

You certainly won’t be able to buy the extensive seeds that I did, but you can purchase a few select seeds that are open pollination or heirloom that you can save the seed from for next year. More and more local feed stores and garden shops are carrying them. Just make sure it doesn’t say “hybrid” if you intend to save your seeds. Seed saving is easy and fun. Take for instance beans. We’ve all pulled apart a “string bean” and seen the seeds….that’s it! Those are the same seeds that you used to grow that plant….all you have to do is dry them or allow them to dry on the plant and save them in a cool, dark place….and then you have seed for next year.

There really are so many things you can do to prepare for changing times. Be proactive and you will be thankful and grateful. Do nothing and that’s exactly what you’ll get….nothing.