Howdy folks! Well in typical Spring on the Palouse, we've been hit with a weather set back. As many of you may know the Spring on the Palouse can be unpredictable (at the very least) and this is now wreaking havoc for our growing season. But never fear, we should be back on track by the first part of June.

As Debi is going to have a good deal more time available for the farm, Buy Local, and sustainable agriculture, she will be updating the blog on a more regular basis. Yes, we are dragging her kicking and screaming into the 21st century! One of the things she is very interested in is seasonal recipies using what is growing in the moment. So keep an eye out here both unusual and easy ways of using the produce available. Ever wonder what to do with kale or how to collard greens? Want vegan? Want omnivore? Check back for recipies straight from Debi's kitchen, and Gluten Free will be top focus. She loves to talk about food, food preparation, and sharing recipies. If you want to pass along some information she'd love to hear from you!

You'll have to forgive me...

This is the first time I've ever written in a blog, but I wanted to help out and feel useful to the family farm. We have finally updated the website with the current 2009 growing items. The plan is to keep the posts updated througout the growning season, but we'll see how that goes! I also hope to get Dave and Debi to post on the blog as well, if I have to learn how to they should too. I don't have the knack Tony does for writing but will try to have some interesting stories for you next week.

Thanks for visiting!

Keri

Looking Ahead

This time of year we take the much needed opportunity to do thing that we don't have time for during the growing season. We also prepare and rest up for the upcoming growing season. I like to spend some extra time studying about growing and other food issues. As far as preparing for next season, there are some seeds that we need to order, and we just got our catalogues in the mail. The three of us will sit down this weekend and put the orders together. Most of the produce that we grow comes from our own evolving seed stock, and all of that is certified organic. When we do buy seed, we do our best to find an organic source, and it is always raised here using organic practices.
Here's a first peek of what we plan to grow in 2008:

Veggies:

Spinach: (New Zealand and Bloomsdale)
Arugula
Mache
Cilantro
Swiss Chard (Rhubarb Chard)
Beets (Detroit Dark Red)
Radishes
Onions (Australian Brown)
Bunching Onions
Cabbage (Golden Acre)
Baby Bok Choy
Collard Greens
Eggplant (Udamalapet)
Cucumbers (Straight Eight)
Carrots (Nantes)
French Climbing Beans
Potatoes (Yukon Gold and Rose Fin Apple)
Tomatoes (Mexico Midget and an heirloom called Black Sea Man)
Squash (Several Varieties)
Garlic (Hardneck)
Salad Mix
Leeks
Snow Peas

Herbs:

Basil (Sweet Italian, Siam, Holy, and lemon Basil)
Thyme
Oregano
Marjoram
Savory
Fennel
Dill
Sage
Nasturtium Leaves
Lovage
Wintermint, Spearmint, Gingermint, Applemint and Thaimint
Lemonbalm

I probably left some things out, and we may decide to try some new crops too, I'll let you know when we do.

This blog is a new thing for us, we'll be doing a few new things for '08. We're sending out an e-mail news letter out on Saturday nights. The e-mail will tell you what we've been up to with a couple highlights from this blog, and when the time comes, a list of what we'll have ready to harvest the following week. You could place an order off of that list and we'll deliver it to you if you're in or near Moscow. We'll also be at the Tuesday market at the Food Co-op, and at The Saturday Market in Potlatch. Email me if you'd like to get the newsletter: bikesmith@biketrials.com

Before the palouse got it's snow, Dave and I prepared some new space to put in to production next season, now Dave's building some new raised beds and stilt beds to put out in the spring. While he does that, I've been building a new greenhouse which will be ready by new years, solar powered and everything. Debi's been attending the Heart of the Arts Winter Market in Moscow. There are two dates left; January 12 and February 9, both 10am to 2 pm.

We've also gotten involved with Buy Local Moscow (buylocalmoscow.com). Tomorrow night, downtown, participating businesses will stay open until 9pm. It'll be fun, downtown Moscow's got such a good vibe. There will be a lot going on. We'll be at Bookpeople with Tea, chips and Debi's Hummus.

We'll that's enough said, kind of a long post, with this being the first one, I guess I had a lot to say. Eat well.