Well if you have been outside the last few days I am sure you have noticed that finally the weather seems to be heading in the right direction. Maybe that is why whoever named the seasons called the next one spring. Because after a winter like this and the warmer weather arrives we soon forget those blustery sub-zero days and it seems as if this pleasant weather just sprung upon us, hence the name spring. The last week around here has been a blessing.

The hoop house was planted in early February which should have been adequate time to have produce by mid-March. However the cloudy days and continued cold prohibited germination. It took almost two weeks for radishes to come up and with adequate environment they are usually up in three days. In fact here it is three weeks and they are still coming up. It can dry up pretty fast once the weather warms up but as much moisture as there is in the ground prospects for an early outdoor spring planting seem dim.

We got to spend a week with our children and their families in January. The bitter cold did not seem to bother our 2 year old grandson who has spent all but a couple of weeks of his young life in the Mojave dessert. He was always at the back door wanting to go outside with Papa. His parents however, who both were raised in Missouri, liked to have froze to death. They would hardly venture out at all. What softies they have become!

We are about to get the heated greenhouse full. We are re-potting some of the early plants because we were afraid they were going to get too big for the pots before we could get them outside. We are looking into the possibility of putting up another hoop house this spring.

I think the extended cold this winter lulled me to sleep thinking winter was never going to end, so I am slow in getting my CSA letter out this year. Don’t give up on me it is coming soon I promise.

Since I have been in the vegetable facet of farming I don’t believe there has been a year when I wanted so bad to get so excited about the coming year and yet have at the same time been so frustrated. When I read articles in the farm publications about the high demand for local food and have new businesses contacting me wanting me to raise for them I get excited about the extreme possibility of this trend in food production. But then when I look at my own limited resources I get discouraged because I know without some outside help I will not be able to use my farm to its full potential.

To this extent I have been trying to get a video made to put on my web-site explaining my dream for Share-Life Farms. If you are concerned about local food, organic food, better health, the environment or good common sense you will want to see my videos. Keep looking for them soon I hope. My social networking ineptitude has caused me to rely on others to help me with this and then the weather has also been a hindrance. We have a great window of opportunity now but farmers need your help or I am afraid the window may close as fast as it opened. Watch the videos for little things you can do to make a big difference.

Until next time your friend in the farming business.