tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40418021346644654122023-11-15T22:30:07.760-08:00Annapolis Seeds BlogThe latest happenings from Nictaux, NSOwen Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505294258987235267noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041802134664465412.post-11723172711618877422011-10-21T16:59:00.000-07:002011-10-23T06:19:03.893-07:00The Peanut HarvestIt was an exciting day on the farm last Tuesday, it was peanut harvesting day! The recent frost had killed the tops of the plants which meant it was time to pull them. I've learned a lot about growing peanuts over the last few years, and compared to the <a href="http://annapolisseeds.blogspot.com/2009/09/peanuts-and-sweetpotatoes.html">last time</a> I wrote about them yields have at least doubled per plant in our gardens. I definitely see a lot of potential in peanuts becoming a more common crop in Nova Scotia, they're one my easiest and lowest labour crops to grow and they're pretty productive too (some plants in good soil produced up to 18 big pods, each with 3-4 seeds). We filmed a short video the other day of the harvest, check it out and send it around!<div> <div><br /></div><div><iframe width="400" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7u9_mHLgqOQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div>Owen Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505294258987235267noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041802134664465412.post-16748330640286357892011-08-24T05:49:00.000-07:002011-08-24T05:56:20.522-07:00Two upcoming events at the farm!<p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; ">We're pretty excited to be organizing a couple of events at the farm in the coming few weeks. A seed saving workshop and then the much anticipated Tomato Fest. Hope you can make it out for one or the other!</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><b>-<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; ">Seed Saving Workshop</span> - August 31, 2:00 to 5:00 pm at Annapolis Seeds - </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 15px; ">Come learn the basics of saving seeds! As we tour through the Annapolis Seeds gardens we'll discuss seed saving techniques for many different vegetables, from the easy ones like beans to the trickier ones like the brassicas. Hands-on demonstrations too! We'll practice simple and low-tech threshing and seed cleaning techniques. We'll be covering all the basics but discussions will be guided by your interests, so more advanced techniques can be covered too. <b>Cost</b>: $25 - $40 for couples - or pay what you can. Contact me at owen@annapolisseeds.com or 902 825-0553 to register</span></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 15px; "><b>-<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; ">Tomato Fest</span> - September 11, 12:00 to 5:00 pm at Annapolis Seeds -</b> Come celebrate the tomato! Experience the incredible diversity of heirloom tomatoes that you simply can't find in the supermarket. We'll have about 100 varieties on display and for tasting... you'll be able to vote for your favourite! Guided farm tours will be throughout the day and we'll have workshops on growing great organic tomatoes and saving tomato seeds. More info to come... </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 15px; "><b>Cost:</b> Free! Although donations will be welcomed</span></p>Owen Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505294258987235267noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041802134664465412.post-31698647507692111812011-07-30T10:56:00.000-07:002011-07-30T19:13:43.217-07:00Threshing Techniques, Part 1 (Threshing Bag)I've been meaning for some time to write a little article on our different techniques for threshing seeds (i.e. separating them from their various dry pods). We've just started harvesting and threshing certain brassica seeds here at the farm, so I thought I'd cover the ever so simple threshing bag method... my favourite technique for doing small podded seeds like kale and arugula. Coming soon will be an article on the threshing box... our main device for doing peas, beans and everything a bit bigger<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i>#1 - After harvesting the dry pods (Mizuna in this case) I'll let them dry further for another couple days in the greenhouse or in the barn. Once the pods are super-crispy and brown and </i></div><div><i>break apart with a slight touch you know they're ready to thresh!</i></div><div><br /></div><div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sfGPPZJ74MLrm4ecmkjXgHgQtZhi9JXf6RKGthbomcO6TqSkNb0WTLb9jTJomvDPM-ekHcdykFcxerlpAVU80ae1mLa4hO5WBZCA8ZQfxpmJcBLRoBQTjoZ_q6Jo-Lcff5O8WQfvv9M/s400/IMG_0141.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635325037092174402" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i>#2 - My strategy for brassica seeds is to put the dry pods in a pillow case (which you should be sure doesn't have any holes!) and then to smash them any which way we can. You can hit it against a wall, stomp on it, knead it in your hands, flail it, run it over in the car... those little seeds are pretty indestructible. After a minute or two of work the pods are usually all broken open (it doesn't take much if they're dry enough) and have released they're seeds inside the bag. Now you just need to separate the seeds and the chaff... </i></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgobmV2Chn3PP5gI9oQaAHFJt-SfFdeBd-7snaUfYkm8nSqfwbkj6cyLBvL0Nz2J0uz1XFVb5CH6M1-vjT1cK1jvA5tFXN330M5TS5aNo5Mfg4W6jtW1hC2sV9qiZ8avZ0az1gKM-n30zw/s400/IMG_0139.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635323874701020578" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i>#3 - I usually just grab the large top pieces of stem and shells and remove them by hand (that's what's in the wheelbarrow here) , the seeds are heavy and almost always settle in the bottom of the bag. To separate the seeds from the smaller chaff we use both screens and winnowing.</i> </div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMKJWA-hhA-7g6KL2IkEthzeS4T903zR0is8gsW2nl8HRDAhMfbf2aZqGjmGZaSk9lJo8iY-kKiYU9AgtXQDyuG6iPdr2KPH5s2WizQozN4ip0XIunOP3mdPHcJpGBhIYWsUPdUwIe1Q/s400/IMG_0145.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635322429620443090" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i>#4 - Screens sure are handy! The seeds drop right into the bucket and the pods stay on top. We were lucky to be gifted this awesome brassica seed screen, but any old homemade screen will do. It's handy having different sizes of mesh for different sized seeds.</i></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4P5ggX5IBUozvHHs0pOYFdIxK__U8N0mC4hzFK7ks3MBSA22eTHU4T1Mi6OcE8nDIxCUb7JaheJY322j11UsZ6-3UwJDzd-y0HRYA9H9oYa49mZncrON_fFmpn596rXVw_zr4JGaDVLs/s400/IMG_0133.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635310714039454898" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i>#5 - The final step is winnowing. The screen gets most of the chaff out but if you want them really clean winnowing is often the way to go. It's just pouring the seeds back and forth between two containers in the wind, the heavy seeds fall and get caught while the lighter chaff gets blown away. A fan works wonders on those non-windy days.</i></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcZCvnQHrSU7MQep2Ffy06sFACnd4EqEk7dl5of-aNXvuWlDn0JSM3qjqXfTGHV_tE4YF2Fyl0iFSqDL9iBHmbKZITckXCwYd_Zd6NlSUjwkJULvPFI-GIZLrzFnNAqYATndxx2BbBH8/s400/IMG_0148.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635309894791392082" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i>#6 - Voila! The finished seeds! These two buckets are before and after winnowing, you can see how much cleaner they are afterwards.</i></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jhtEQCRyDDDPHvpzHUAWhymKn5MdXpP1dEKiFGESYp3XczMEXx2ilchxS4gCyuYxm1qCPYjBTtELh-9mqletj736lM34_mtr2BVvB-uJoexEAKLqfsEvHoA0L0VCxDxNUb3UaA13CiM/s400/IMG_0149.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635308686713057890" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Owen Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505294258987235267noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041802134664465412.post-78610236113691569012011-07-12T08:33:00.000-07:002011-07-12T10:01:24.657-07:003rd New Farmers Gathering, June 11-12It's amazing how busy one can get on the farm in the summer time... it's taken me a month to find the time to post a report from what was an amazing event back in June: The 3rd New Farmers Gathering at The Lorax near Wolfville.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Nearly 100 farmers, aspiring farmers and folks who otherwise have a passion in working with the land turned out for the two days of workshops, bonfires and sharing experiences. I was lucky to catch a couple great workshops on seed growing (with Andrea Berry) and roundwood timber framing (with Mark Alvis) among lots of others. </div><div><br /><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWtf_2EAAmJV95eJsavtLiTsvOj5A9pAuspWAf2wlBLbvVniedIm6YHU3i4LRoUPf6A18pM1u1lyi7LvOaP4ZmV2djVi3lnt1UjcaducbOTgKp7iagHmRsh9fYuEhNTWALZ4nD69TzjpA/s400/IMG_9802.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628503212307060530" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>- Farmers deep in discussion...</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijh6S5PQkZUnk4LIsZPKWHAZy-vWiz4nHIOHp1l7Dw_xcJVhEZy6KwTr5dN-YTdbHLkSschKSL2JKUYqdjEt83UeQ0dl1h5Cs1JXVpb9O9RudRzzMTSARAKomBnURltlm_QvV5WpdIWWY/s400/IMG_9797.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628496543477638242" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>- Andrea Berry (right) of Hope Seeds put on a great seed saving workshop, here we are putting the theory into practice by planting a seed saving garden.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dWZo0b67dPddZ-1cE1Jc1Po9-3LzXq5ZNWtPg79Z-1QvOiWVLlcAdsRWZtWi_Z-ksFE4CLz-QC2LItJfZ5Cs76DSO4Kbg0kIht-uQ3AJNj0zDJ1KWGawQ2TpiqVKgSGu9j0OTDg8P1c/s400/IMG_9829.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628498287780030834" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>- Another of the highlights was planting a three sisters garden, with corn, beans and squash growing together. We were transplanting the corn seedlings into the hills so that they had a head start on the beans.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgURCwPKjOCCYgwqsJ-8_a2j_B5jfQaeKZkDqU_GcdH_pryqRkkjjrZJ9fm-iMPHVFIi94hfLcR7IcWhIZ63KxyGw5T3ndZ8pz7F4suVr9NTNvMyaM3fmTbc-F5sSc4ookq4Dc2PEZPkQ/s400/IMG_4930.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628493454317022370" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>- I gave a scything workshop on Sunday afternoon, which proved to be quite a popular event. After some instructions and demonstrations probably 20 people got a chance to try their hand at mowing with a scythe. Here I am demonstrating honing with a whetstone.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfKRZvFtUW52RSVrZU4fLQPidYahy_4JK-xoAmqZmQK5kTyNYKIzWWP3Ki07EztCA5InlTFVSRrfZBo7Rd2VBlUxcno-ATGCWn4HUK6wmkVLV2v8dbYZpuISS9UDKXOOCfQUpYq4nS1c/s400/IMG_4932.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628492613650964834" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>- Some of the first swaths...</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLJK7asjEKOlg9fVZWJIwE_P_eKS1-fV59P1LDT9odv4qNRJ_vrmpaRfgM7O19tD3sZ345uIn663AmeB5aWeQyfrcQ769W3op5OlEjmqW6_mWN5vBPhdMpL5detWP3Ryc3wh1NEnsbKw/s400/IMG_4935.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628491843959524434" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>-After the students got into it we made short work of our hay meadow, we cleared probably a 1/4 acre in the course of the short workshop. Many hands (and scythes) make light work.</div><div> </div></div>Owen Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505294258987235267noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041802134664465412.post-29580373283727560722011-04-20T18:24:00.000-07:002011-04-20T18:37:16.718-07:00Seed Stories Video<div>Here's a new video that my friend Kimberly Smith filmed during a visit to the farm last August. Really takes you back to warmer times... enjoy! </div><div><br /></div><div>(p.s. the video player doesn't seem able to fully fit into this page, but you can click on the link to view the full screen.) </div><div><br /></div><div><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wsSPccJUJKc?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>Owen Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505294258987235267noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041802134664465412.post-21910352216142749202011-04-18T18:28:00.000-07:002011-04-22T04:39:44.685-07:00Middleton Seedy Friday, April 29We're putting on the second annual Middleton Seedy Friday! It's once again at the Farmers' Market (held at the Railway Museum on School Street), on April 29 from 2:00 to 5:00. <div><br /></div><div>Last year's event was such a success we're really planning to expand on things for this year, we'll have four free garden talks that afternoon and lots of seeds and seedlings to be had. Come trade your favourite heirloom seeds at the exchange table. But if you don't have your own seeds don't let that dissuade you, there will be free seeds available to good homes and all the local seed growers will have tables. <div><br /></div><div>And please do spread the word! </div><div><br /></div><div>Free Talks:</div><div><br /></div><div>2:30 - Basic Seed Saving, with Owen Bridge of Annapolis Seeds</div><div>3:00 - Companion Planting, with the Hope Seeds crew</div><div>3:30 - Growing Great Garlic, with Bryan Dyck of Broadfork Farm</div><div>4:00 - Herb Gardening, with Michelle Summer Fike of Pumpkin Moon Farm </div></div>Owen Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505294258987235267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041802134664465412.post-22363106310749622832011-04-05T09:48:00.000-07:002011-04-05T10:17:18.509-07:00Our New Propagation Greenhouse<div>I'm very excited about the new heated propagation bed that I rigged together last week. It's a bottom-heated mini-greenhouse inside our big greenhouse, I'm hoping to use it to produce lots of tomato seedlings for the local markets later this Spring. A few days ago I planted the last of the seeds in it... we're up to 30 varieties of tomatoes to be available as starts if all goes well!</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's how we made it:</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb14D_PPh6ZkAIGDXojvqu4VumXInMfeIE1b7JNLM1AYmaFo6UN11deEYDzrTY_s_Hqs8Bq0Agn9MlYiVx2KpQlGdq-OikMvKoI6fcJlyPnHI3DMVjoN-wa2Ra7r8V_5DQYmza9b7p7P4/s1600/IMG_3493.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb14D_PPh6ZkAIGDXojvqu4VumXInMfeIE1b7JNLM1AYmaFo6UN11deEYDzrTY_s_Hqs8Bq0Agn9MlYiVx2KpQlGdq-OikMvKoI6fcJlyPnHI3DMVjoN-wa2Ra7r8V_5DQYmza9b7p7P4/s400/IMG_3493.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592145999658988674" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">-We laid down 1" styrofoam sheets from Home Hardware (duct-taped together in the shot) to act as insulation and to prevent the heat from dissipating into the ground. Each 4'x8' sheet cost around $10.</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifkLeUp4gG_56nCDrPom3Zw94gR8OTyYwy5HQXIFH244-lP4FX6hMnjJtJUf22eLLwfXP0JBXqnXr-gwk1gsSEBTImJvw41znG_EoG26oOemn6i87jZzNBATWQK8mngJJUykSHfXhM7uY/s400/IMG_3494.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592145211675079106" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">-Next we covered the foam with a layer of earth...</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9bXuC7ylaJqTZqITkbiyUscMyiPP3zYTIsfOlLjzrrjBaLQ5uWVpP6i-jv5pVuJ6dI9YM1ecbxhiDlCS0LiwgBkwtkYewC6P7GXu7kkAIZQivkwz6tQB0u2PknWRuoSn19AajFaZFVM/s400/IMG_3497.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592144738028434338" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">... and laid down the heating cables. They're just roof de-icing cables from the hardware store, this is an 80' length and cost about $60.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifL9ro2e7bgyrOy-IiIEh8qiuaLA1VZG-GWPmBNmMJy_ubH-Uz3V0ramS0QgbgchEIkP3NRFeZFdMGNrbNd8tOa40rlwaZWSg-ZRNIkEaAnyH6_PDxEO5iZq7XZWWQG8fwZaTefGwnICo/s400/IMG_3504.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592144149682413554" /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">-Finally, we covered up the cables with another layer of soil, plugged in the cable and voila! Finished propagation bed! The earth retains the heat from the cables and distributes it fairly evenly. Once the cover is back on the mini-greenhouse it will stay above freezing even on cold nights when the kale in the foreground gets frosted. We also have small air heater (visible on the far right) that I might put under the cover and use if it gets below, say, -5 while the plants are up and vulnerable.<br /><br />So the whole project took an afternoon to assemble and cost about $80 using new supplies, not bad considering how many hundred of plants it'll grow! The mini-greenhouse itself was an old one we had kicking around in the barn, it wouldn't be hard to rig up something similar using perhaps PVC pipes or whatever you have handy.</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDGE3k0jOI5GQ4zKoLbE-i8DAKQgblm5JZdzuKf0sj2Cz1gSgKP_892ZChq1ahEcdi28dgcCulYWEqnCudGAYXoKQ3U7NMrxGQEW-DGUD8YozDoH0jhKbxa3CfFWjRCjFjRgsJQrDxR4/s1600/IMG_3469.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDGE3k0jOI5GQ4zKoLbE-i8DAKQgblm5JZdzuKf0sj2Cz1gSgKP_892ZChq1ahEcdi28dgcCulYWEqnCudGAYXoKQ3U7NMrxGQEW-DGUD8YozDoH0jhKbxa3CfFWjRCjFjRgsJQrDxR4/s400/IMG_3469.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592143726616759506" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDGE3k0jOI5GQ4zKoLbE-i8DAKQgblm5JZdzuKf0sj2Cz1gSgKP_892ZChq1ahEcdi28dgcCulYWEqnCudGAYXoKQ3U7NMrxGQEW-DGUD8YozDoH0jhKbxa3CfFWjRCjFjRgsJQrDxR4/s1600/IMG_3469.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><br /></u></span><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Owen Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505294258987235267noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041802134664465412.post-87297486730377099452011-03-05T15:25:00.000-08:002011-03-14T20:19:40.464-07:00Seedy Saturdays and New Retailers...It's a melty, early spring day and the starlings are singing, the maples are flowing and you can't help but think of new seeds to try this season. I've got a pretty long list of new varieties planned already... lots of peppers and interesting new root crops (Oka and Chinese Artichokes) to give just a small preview.<div><br /></div><div>It's also the time of year to head out to your nearest Seedy Saturday to buy and exchange seeds with other growers. There are more than ever this year in Nova Scotia and across Canada, check out <a href="http://www.seeds.ca/">Seeds of Diversity</a> for the complete list. I just got back from Bridgewater which was a big hit and we'll be at the following around the Maritimes this spring:</div><div><br /></div><div>Fredericton, March 12</div><div>Musquodoboit Harbour, March 27</div><div>Halifax, April 2</div><div>Wolfville, April 9</div><div>Truro, to be posted...</div><div>Middleton, April 29 </div><div><br /></div><div>I've also got a bunch of new retailers to announce! More places than ever will have Annapolis Seeds this spring... so far we're in: <a href="http://www.denhaansgardenworld.com/">Den Haan's Garden World</a> in Middleton, Home Hardware in Middleton, Fulton's General Store in Lunenburg, <a href="http://www.helpingnatureheal.com/">Helping Nature Heal</a> in Bridgewater and <a href="http://www.biscuiteater.ca/">The Biscuit Eater</a> in Mahone Bay. More coming soon, I'll keep the list updated!</div><div><br /></div><div> </div>Owen Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505294258987235267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041802134664465412.post-44113378477320878122011-02-21T08:34:00.000-08:002011-02-21T08:48:11.891-08:00Print Catalogues are Here<div>The 2011 print catalogues are fresh off the presses! The folks at <a href="http://www.integrityprinting.ca">Integrity Printing</a> down in Bridgetown did a fantastic job with them, and props to my friend Jen Stotland for designing the cover artwork. Everyone who has made an order in the past two years was recently sent one in the mail, but for anyone else <a href="http://annapolisseeds.com/contact_us_4.html">contact me</a> and I'll be happy to send one out! </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SUZRy6Xa-zR_xlLLidt2RjHHpZCzzgfKdP5ITh3oMcuDDE7NdWv3_NbtlWD-0yxbvsqqe6JWeeUSl5WgUXMJ0O1ZIpFllxbsxIhhAqjiI_M-5q4jZgLOYnBTnxOx7K9fcJy3cuIFil8/s1600/Catalogue+cover.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 257px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SUZRy6Xa-zR_xlLLidt2RjHHpZCzzgfKdP5ITh3oMcuDDE7NdWv3_NbtlWD-0yxbvsqqe6JWeeUSl5WgUXMJ0O1ZIpFllxbsxIhhAqjiI_M-5q4jZgLOYnBTnxOx7K9fcJy3cuIFil8/s400/Catalogue+cover.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576183401193779410" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Owen Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505294258987235267noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041802134664465412.post-23546738608182202532011-01-05T10:37:00.000-08:002011-01-05T11:05:05.491-08:00Sweet Dumpling Squash<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4gcRsADHE4rqYbBEnXAfgBKtGtZltbBOT2F3skMUihh4vwfqNLCvklR6aGkXFBBIOR4KFK4mc0-V06TyO9G-cNUxcVwTYrosH72S21Ykh0oCivqCo0yvAhQKMSQy3PmQJTIM_BbvI-2I/s1600/IMG_3037.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4gcRsADHE4rqYbBEnXAfgBKtGtZltbBOT2F3skMUihh4vwfqNLCvklR6aGkXFBBIOR4KFK4mc0-V06TyO9G-cNUxcVwTYrosH72S21Ykh0oCivqCo0yvAhQKMSQy3PmQJTIM_BbvI-2I/s400/IMG_3037.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558773477905084786" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Perhaps my new favourite squash, Sweet Dumpling was a real standout in the garden in 2010. This is the second year Annapolis Seeds will have it listed in the catalogue, but last year Chris Sanford grew them for me so I didn't get a chance to try them myself. I missed out! </div><div><br /></div><div>It's originally a Japanese variety, and a fairly new one at that dating back to 1976. They initially named it Vegetable Gourd, but sales weren't good so they changed it to Sweet Dumpling. I suspect it had a lot of both acorn and delicata in it's parentage, guessing from the shape and colour and it's dry, sweet flesh. It was probably the most efficient user of space among my squash last year, the vines only grew about 5 feet and each one produced a good half dozen fruit, so they'd be perfect for cities and intensive growing. They store fantastically as well, they don't seem to require curing like other squash do and they're quite hard when raw, so they resist cuts and bruises that lead to rotting. </div><div><br /></div><div>The flavour is the best thing about them though. The flesh is dry and sweet and tastes distinctly like roasted chestnuts! I like them cut in half and roasted in the oven for about 25 minutes, with cheese melted on top at the end. You can fill them up with whatever topping you want. The skin is tender enough to eat too. </div>Owen Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505294258987235267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041802134664465412.post-26285951087070025322010-12-30T15:52:00.000-08:002010-12-31T12:03:59.493-08:002011 Catalogue Now OnlineToday's the day you've been waiting for... the 2011 catalogue is now out! Check out the full online version at <a href="http://www.annapolisseeds.com/">www.annapolisseeds.com</a>, the print catalogues are coming soon too. Spread the word!Owen Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505294258987235267noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041802134664465412.post-21627038227165513192010-12-30T09:20:00.000-08:002010-12-30T15:52:51.660-08:00Harvest Season 2010<div>Well that was a fantastic growing season! The nearly ideal weather we enjoyed during the summer stayed right through to the end of the harvest season, which was fortunate because we had a lot of seeds to gather! The seeds are now long since harvested and many are already packaged up for the new catalogue, while the garden is resting for the winter under a fresh blanket of snow. Here's a long overdue glimpse of some of what we got up to this fall...</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaoCEZ49dPcXsKDnXmFYucrWRBc0kSYfq3nlDm0YnFUpziWsmEQ_hSY7R9VwrFnjPbqmRbb0DMG5B3jbDboP2W6krcx-pboXZcdhKYiFTXYQQWIb9XwuTf7zCGipKcL4muS9yxJPzFWw/s1600/IMG_2036.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaoCEZ49dPcXsKDnXmFYucrWRBc0kSYfq3nlDm0YnFUpziWsmEQ_hSY7R9VwrFnjPbqmRbb0DMG5B3jbDboP2W6krcx-pboXZcdhKYiFTXYQQWIb9XwuTf7zCGipKcL4muS9yxJPzFWw/s400/IMG_2036.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556536660260278610" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>-Amaranth and sunflowers are a great pair as we learned.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWUFc41E2JQZYSLK5BN_zJUGyecAegDZM23kysU7Vn2ahEWoieJSB-rKjNhx4CaXzc0nxg0ABr-Asp_aJ-og7A-CIMlc_1yXyEr3PZSwIubzJEtnmCpn1QbQ9RVvMWnOZ_ul9YUYWWtU/s400/IMG_2118.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556536007549039058" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br />- Checking the Lazy Housewife beans for maturity, they were a few days away from getting harvested.<br /><br /></div><div><br /><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_SfEUqa6q_bX9IqW5FT9sABUgwpwWgbeQVTLl7KFXy_jAf0Y92TawXDE7h4pEYpS6tGN8Aw6jDIgiJ0Q3GCX374Q_1n7Yjiboz4BdHDkTOSGUSoABPsbXLByzMflYP0aGoLkIxyu4tU/s400/IMG_2182.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556535020803676226" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>-One of the stories of the summer was our amazing corn crop. This is the variety True Platinum, and although only on in four seeds that I planted grew (due to lumpy soil and a lack of rain in May) each surviving plant produced three or four big cobs. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3DMErdA0eMTGXOIf1Gz880BdDcc7mOevmy_be1WAWQ0PYPneTkE6qZuvBJQvhYQN2mbpI5PxVGdLkm5ijXo1IHx3PLH87oGj_uz_S_82jI6CfXX8OmLBdtlFw0dBBLFSiQOSLfTaBms/s400/IMG_2197.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556534143962838354" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>-Soybeans ready to harvest in September</div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2eYkn27iemMpsD54lHEv04FFxVuq8J28QfCQK2H2rCEoYt7gTeZ2GvIYhd3SzWgZBoGvmGVOOR28vNJ0AIlUF28U0mrLySqn8m7RhwwHEpooDbTyYet03PNZZ2CWUljoWHhxPehyphenhyphenDUnU/s400/IMG_2331.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556533568780998962" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>-The new greenhouse</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAAdFNOj7XomC4Q1aGvyG9DdAzHsalWnL_HrZXgwgLhMkkqthJOQHMP7pfsdGOtvSZKpx_mF4Bv4CXMzneG_VKczml43QLpCEz-9Qm-8nuIEdt9T-9YzhvQtM8L_7aNuI3dEnmia_kOk/s400/IMG_2335.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556532910125785762" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>- To dry the corn I left the cobs on the plant for as long as I could, and when rain threatened I harvested them and hung them in the barn from their own husks. The seeds will come off easily when they're dry. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7hUq0HR2qaKsVkL5eEqGrtR2_y5wYuZF3zIqv1pDiN6lEELQony3MLCluhGe4_F8cXcUWp01PBTehPzn_vsiBGbcICgtiHd6c4wYHBHiIdpHMHzSWb0wjN2jWvI7AcyUBftGcqP-0ow/s400/IMG_2355.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556532257504600514" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>-A kaleidoscope of tomtoes. Clockwise: Striped Cavern, Cole, Azoychka, White Cherry, OSU Blue and Absinthe. Centre: Black Krim. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitOU18_qTcGAw_3FNik7-bS0Sj38yLe8s0io7geQhdtGImqcUh0jn5fGkcoBp95n86BKK9VY5bH0EwmwHgJYWHh4bWcwsjjv5TswnAzqIZ6B8D4JJUP-_JUOUd45XVzBa05-cIXaaz-0I/s400/IMG_2414.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556537726323338674" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>- OSU Blue tomato, a very unique blue skinned tomato. It was developed at Oregon State University by cross-pollinating a red tomato with a wild blue tomato from South America.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhN8RgA8RtVhLhv7JoVmihzLOlXSgz12cjoMlrw2AYCDNFN5OtclLH0_MBfp2o3LOGN2GetdYqyrbsal9BeI3JCMFDs2DQX1cE0P-BDGtFHIS83KwOM0cRN-7732VbQsRuCZe03w9qP8/s400/IMG_2541.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556531525824466066" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>- Removing the seeds from one of our many Musquée de Provence pumpkins. We ate way too much pumpkin soup and pie that week! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqWnLrlXY-2DlsudG9wlV_fiJkjui7Et_LjdjR5YvWsTADKZYS_Xlkfz3x1TvV6tRKxsh4OCScLDl61-gOwdj470KyB-rB1TjZrfcyXeqDv8Kyl1QqcMPZMBwLtz9ehvZLISGuIF-FSk/s400/IMG_2489.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556530967192435282" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>- One of the final tasks of the fall, planting next year's garlic. I'm excited about our future garlic plans, it's going to take a few more years of multiplying the seed stocks but I hope to have a limited selection of seed garlic available in the not too distant future... </div>Owen Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505294258987235267noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041802134664465412.post-30389290215844302752010-09-14T09:07:00.000-07:002010-09-26T16:27:43.138-07:00End of Summer UpdatesIt's been a busy few weeks lately with Dan Jason visiting, putting on the seed workshops and throughout this trying to keep on top of the biggest seed harvest yet. All three workshops were big hits, many thanks to everyone who came out for them! They were so much fun I'm already trying to think about doing more... I'll keep everyone posted. Below are a few shots from the events:<div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTFpMQzz4jZHaNRrmoCaPgU4A4cfeP6vDS7BJQT-FEQXPbgTYR5Sv2bhi0fJslqBul25rpI0khADkcJ8R-e2Zyjsd3WnnylOzdtwK36YAJkkaZADkCLTnRu5d4uSjdAvYDrIvXHmF5Tc/s400/IMG_3151.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516805803825820770" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>-Threshing demo at the Halifax workshop, Aug 22.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXy6zSdRb4WZdeSa8fAP0P3N18WtkljacUTURlcBMX24DXR6pxWAuewyzfOdXvU8mZtaqfvOItUrRnrUgt02IApW9Nv7yXAJ2ltVCnGI31Q-1qFuVfWFbZEFSTEyj482UITOKFQEgHac/s400/IMG_9480.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516806690973965282" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>-Back on The Weekend Gardener... this time with Dan! Hope you caught the show.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmXC-JymABDKMcxwjlQrKEyCLbaJU6wo22c-YfoZUtuz-lsNKVrFp9PoBf3BtcBlgNH648dpyb1IcsRT-XtE14hSymGW4JW75H3OZATU0DvUiVWSYt0NjUBuYxY4msifr7cMRPJfEop4/s400/IMG_3217.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516807721484803458" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>-The Middleton workshop was the biggest and most lively of the three, with a very keen and knowledgeable group. Here we are talking tomatoes.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLUhIYWtMYvAiC2ADMBcMFbOQO0_7Q1NjSx0LimE6zH9cPx-8AUalNtFJuEQR-QGSVTDsztxriJZs1lK74J-K9y-qI3Rx2FMtmMq0kMbwaD3v2W_KY3EzE0iQ4pMhISHU8GyLaZWoT7M/s400/seed_workshop2010_9780.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521366784440165250" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>-Thanks to David Baldwin for this great shot of us.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLV_pKHUvFEglsTs76CrhTQSfqAX8MfoVQeAUwgQzfr3VAe8eKjm8GyOWmhmzy5o44YtwsZ_0Fs1nAr5qVpFKubHWwHO-Ekq_IfVgPZuXltWkXTAyh9v9JCQeA_SgLWhV4G81AStAhOL8/s400/IMG_3244.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516813418693134114" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>-Dan articulating the finer points of seeds.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The Watershed Music Festival and it's workshops were especially fun, unfortunately I don't yet have photos to post. Be sure to make it to next year's festival! Pollination Project is also holding the second annual Stinking Rose Garlic Festival on October 30, be sure to make it there too.</div><div><br /></div><div>So after all this seed saving evangelism I'm pretty happy to settle back into the quieter daily rhythm of the farm and to get back to harvesting the actual seeds! There are so many cool new varieties that I'll profile in a future post, Cole and O.S.U. Blue are two tomatoes I really want to get people excited about... </div><div><br /></div><div>Exciting news with the greenhouse, it's finally complete! We had a work party the other day and with many hands and co-operatively still air we got the plastic attached with no problems. The effect was amazing, within one minute of the cover being on you could feel a noticeable difference in temperature between inside and out. The plans now are to start drying more seeds in the greenhouse and later on to grow winter greens for the markets. Maybe I'll get into the heirloom tomato seedling business in the spring... Until then seek me out for both greens and seeds at the market this winter!</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9i0vPNNEaWO9nuiztT55Nf5B26JB7ZODPZeXR-5f0Xnkgo_-tMhd2fkVYVKRCx3KhWGo2Lbz7PSGD4Pw-BHm18VGUmwSl1nT5spfY-fihRuPrYX40x39FUfE5rUvB0KdMxB3BJUmD6Io/s400/IMG_2177.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516809453809579218" /></div><div> </div></div>Owen Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505294258987235267noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041802134664465412.post-18537879387450191532010-08-19T17:00:00.000-07:002010-08-19T17:15:00.132-07:00Radio InterviewJust a quick post before I go to the city, giving everyone a heads up to tune in to The Weekend Gardener this Sunday on 95.7 News FM in Halifax (I always find it easier to just go to www.news957.com and listen live). Dan Jason and I will be on Niki's show from 12:00 to 1:00 talking about seeds and about the workshops we're doing. We still need you to spread the word about the three workshops (people are the best advertising!) so please do spread it if you know anyone interested!Owen Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505294258987235267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041802134664465412.post-70382967544593784622010-08-11T18:31:00.000-07:002010-08-19T16:59:59.282-07:00August Seed Saving Workshops with Dan JasonVery exciting stuff in the works lately! Apart from the garden (which is overflowing with seeds right now... more on that later) the seed saving workshops with myself and Dan Jason are really coming together. Dan is coming out from Salt Spring Island at the end of the month and the two of us will be giving three workshops, one in Halifax, one in Middleton and one in Bridgewater. All the info is attached below, hope to see you at one of them and please do spread the word if you know anyone interested!<div><br /></div><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><b>-Halifax Workshop: 3:00 to 6:00 at the <a href="http://www.urbanfarmspryfield.com/" id="w1281305627989" target="blank">Spryfield Urban Farm</a>, August 22nd. Cost: $25 for the general public and $10 for Urban Farm members. </b>An intro to seed saving at the urban farm! We'll have a garden walk and talk about as many crops as we can cover, as well as hands on demonstrations (bean threshing, tomato fermentation, etc..) and discussions on the deeper political and philosophical aspects of seeds and urban food production. Contact Su Donovaro to register: urbanfarmspryfield@gmail.com</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><b></b><b>-Middleton Workshop: 2:00 to 5:00 at Annapolis Seeds (8528 Hwy 201, Nictaux), August 25th. Cost: $25 </b>Come visit the seed farm and learn the fun and increasingly crucial art of saving seeds. Some topics covered will include pollination, threshing, organic growing, the importance of maintaining biodiversity as well as a garden walk to discuss specific techniques for each crop. All knowledge levels welcome! Limit of 20 participants, contact owen@annapolisseeds.com or 825-4732 to register and reserve your spot!<b> </b></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Times;font-size:medium;" ><b>-Bridgewater Workshop: 10:00 to 3:00 at <a href="http://www.pollinationproject.org/" id="w1281315397981" target="blank">Watershed Farm</a> (768 Allen Frausel Road, Baker Settlement), August 29th </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Times;font-size:medium;" >Part of a very special weekend at Watershed Farm, the workshop is closely tied with the first annual</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Times;font-size:medium;" ><a href="http://www.watershedmusicfest.ca/" id="w1281316119828" target="blank">Watershed Music Festival</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Times;font-size:medium;" > on the 28th (1:00 to dark). On the 28th we'll have lots of music and different workshops throughout the day, and on the 29th we'll have a slightly more advanced (and much quieter!) seed workshop. We'll go into great depth for this one covering each crop individually as well as covering broader topics like threshing and storage. Also exciting will be a lesson on hand pollination of squash from local squash guru Chris Sanford! Included is a delicious organic lunch along with snacks, you'll get to head home with seeds of both mine and Dan's as well as seed garlic from Watershed Farm. You can register online </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Times;font-size:medium;" ><a href="http://www.pollinationproject.org/eventsview.php?ID=85&d=2455420" id="w1281554916457" target="blank">here</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Times;font-size:medium;" >. Spots are filling up fast!</span> </div>Owen Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505294258987235267noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041802134664465412.post-18566674805496009542010-07-18T18:25:00.000-07:002010-07-18T20:42:03.264-07:00Another Photo Update<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeS517bTj6c5bXS6wUmTt7Eg_791vN57K6Cl4kJhLVRysuHYzHGkGv2V1lAwvPw19XcDk0ylpUFtm3LBfZ9MOxZG3tn7muvpoluzeR3EcWniETPHHLxZo4bfBIf3lb9kTu77gUsw7his/s1600/IMG_9231.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeS517bTj6c5bXS6wUmTt7Eg_791vN57K6Cl4kJhLVRysuHYzHGkGv2V1lAwvPw19XcDk0ylpUFtm3LBfZ9MOxZG3tn7muvpoluzeR3EcWniETPHHLxZo4bfBIf3lb9kTu77gUsw7his/s400/IMG_9231.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495427915160007458" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>-Lancashire Lad pea</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7cQ34bJsmQ0SqGpe9nQCd7pYj7orxH-u7UehIQfCqvNI5DjSQTa7J-MWNKIAuwpm7jQsKKkThxiSiHLFd6ZBr-zzmB-tjJOHA0CDc0HC30koGm8QuPXvi3a2IueB-A4sLa7F1I6sfMVk/s400/IMG_9224.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495426771261461570" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>-Leek flower</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZWACXm0c73vpoOGldF6newB4nvttcxU6pDT0MiK02IMa91YmDHqjXF5UDhY1ySF91T0W0gwiKaKIFdS05v22ESZKH63aaYoHDRD-dcrd-20egoyC-vB1OEpxnt3cjwSApC4TjlmhvO4/s400/IMG_9175.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495426427894717682" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>- My home glistening in the fading evening sun</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjExlGdmnYTkJRoJVlasqdLUnQvagVl7E4fq5mwFgCtms4d_3DdN6gTERDujxE4eL7Nrq7_PLJpPweN48cdXxCoxMQvPPyXMrUg2KZoW8TI41Jm1WZmEuSRU51E0myZJqdUQjY0MVFHCN0/s400/IMG_9159.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495424942635758610" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>-Arugula flowers (we're going to have a ton of arugula seed this year)</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_-SRBUBiQDawzmnkvI6sT6LXJTAtyI1KzT7mjiyj_NM7vDFE2EBDJRU4bYFJc-v_mrSo5KbRIzFidzyzzDpm8phbjqFsMasDpMZ4Bn_ZyjbukvQED8KqXK__PiFnVZQjdl04RZFF0mU/s400/IMG_9117.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495423908880346674" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>- These are pretty special: Crown Peas. They're the most unusual pea I've ever grown, formerly considered a separate sub-species of the common pea they have huge clusters of spectacular flowers, forming a "crown" at the top of each plant. The pods are short but tasty. It's almost like a cross between a sweet pea and an edible pea. </div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrW8qIGrQiUuv0zQBhxyhW7M-QgR5b2ko31uvQHxBfOM32qaJiKuA1AfW6trhV8krm3yMPN6JaBcYkTFrLqsfLThQzjOcUPmFb7sm30TV9Pz0WrKC2puxV0buxTknmKoqfHKMppHfk2vY/s400/IMG_9101.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495423241097144338" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>-Phacelia is a great nectar crop as well as a cool season cover crop. Bees are currently being drawn to it from seemingly miles around.</div>Owen Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505294258987235267noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041802134664465412.post-74417546910387695532010-07-17T17:51:00.000-07:002010-07-21T09:29:10.274-07:00Haymaking<div>The garden is at its leafy, blossom-filled peak right now, and so are the weeds. The hot weather and regular rains that we've had since June have been a blessing for plants both domesticated and wild alike, it's all I can do to push the weeds back enough for the cultivated ones to take up a dominant place... this is not an immaculately tended garden by any means! The newly seeded hay meadows are a riotous, tumbling profusion of wild mustard, ragweed, goldenrod and bindweed, however after scything down these opportunistic meadow dwellers I've discovered a healthy carpet of my cultivated grasses, previously hidden from view - a good sign for next year. </div><div><br /></div><div>Our own hay meadows are another year away from maturity (they were just seeded this spring after wresting the land from the forest a few years previous) but we have the good fortune of having a neighbour on one side who has more land in grass than the inclination to cut. We've been scything and making loose hay up in that field for the last couple of weeks, it's definitely a learning process for me. Following the very thorough instruction from the Vido Family (you can read one of the articles <a href="http://scytheconnection.com/adp/hay/makeHay/makingHay.html">here</a>) and from what they showed me last summer when I spent some time at their farm I built a couple of hay racks and then went at it. The rack construction is really simple, I made mine with scrap 1x3 lumber, although future models might be made from coppiced hardwood poles from the forest. They're basically two square frames leaning against each other (like an A-frame) and tied with twine at the top (they fold for easy storage and transport). </div><div><br /></div><div>My current hay making process is to cut the grass and leave it in it's windrow for one full day. I initially planned to spread the windrows so the grass dries more evenly but I've found that mature timothy and orchardgrass (and other course, airy plant matter) dry just about as fast without spreading. After that time I rake the grass into heaps with a wooden hay rake (hand made from yurt-pole cutoffs and with wooden teeth which avoid digging into the ground - photos on the way) and stack it up on the racks, forming a hay cock. After it's stacked the grass continues to dry with air circulation underneath it, and the bulk of the grass on the inside won't fry to brown in the sun like it would if exposed. I take the hay into the barn as soon as I can, though if built with enough skill a cock (or any other version of hay stack) can stay in the field and for some time without getting damaged by rain. I haven't yet mastered the cap design (ideally it should shed water like a thatch roof) and the cock pictured here got soaked in that last thunder storm we had. It was wet and steaming away like a compost pile from microbial activity when I dealt with it a few days after, it made an excellent mulch for the tomato patch! So there's lots to learn yet... I'll keep at it between weeding and tomato staking and the myriad other jobs on the mid-summer farm.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ClDv9SVrQ4gnqe9vTb6zuTdtkL79tsUSmI6c_2GxywgcxW7IYaygXruTWedPsWVodKN_kYUj59zQADu63raGFtCMgBG9HVDbTeJmuOLCXuMPMLgYxiyz7Mcc2tHTJj44MIwK2_mFIHQ/s400/IMG_9180.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495049913969833186" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Owen Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505294258987235267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041802134664465412.post-27141428840091303912010-06-28T08:32:00.000-07:002010-06-30T20:15:13.630-07:00New Photos<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oidB-BQ7UBeyjYCsNX3KTrK0zzhTMaYhJfIY4QRgwr30vtQhKAZCZry6g8Uwjom6z5ISvEA4wHuSyaXbT-Od4i_O_soffqdaBY77uUCSmXriD4Gllf2BB6z9EanlHhlIdsH_TmWQZ9Y/s1600/IMG_8889.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oidB-BQ7UBeyjYCsNX3KTrK0zzhTMaYhJfIY4QRgwr30vtQhKAZCZry6g8Uwjom6z5ISvEA4wHuSyaXbT-Od4i_O_soffqdaBY77uUCSmXriD4Gllf2BB6z9EanlHhlIdsH_TmWQZ9Y/s400/IMG_8889.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487852582309660290" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>-An interesting experiment of mine: the potatoes on the left had fresh comfrey leaves buried in the trench with them at planting time, the ones on the right didn't. The comfrey provides a big boost of nitrogen in early spring at a time when not much is available to growing plants due to the cool soil and slow micro-organism activity. </div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4bitxyW6uQ4DYpLFX27A_11Zip-XonuUzD9t2jwW7d8rhOp5lXhrGUZ1YyjHZQvs89e6kwoeSZ38dSQUggbiPi7qAXM1VY4URft_VFBRrVaAicbShbGkU4pflCMqM1NgedUN0fU03E8/s400/IMG_8912.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487852033567174514" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>-Green Oakleaf Lettuce</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgvAn7l4flx8QXWz9DQlxvwLbbAfgI9iweju6ljgt7DGzZT6DnABVgJHzX7IaY7lv8WnKGS5PwaFH35KWbkAhhkCK0CW0eRvDE9CgSgS20rrvkecCQD-lCVoVZKV5JmQcs6yA8WaHxg8/s400/IMG_8934.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487851238353451122" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>-Shungiku, an edible chrysanthemum. </div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9FKJga8KRNSJeyGKIFQEVhtdEf-6HnREIV0Q0zrrvlPI34RzoJWt4x0aR1qCA6qvwPz6yNA57g5ZyRTUzp_S-DtiQ4lpi18smPZhvz1vyzYA5tyrnbAiFvkIhG3jpa44jMr1rymhHKU/s400/IMG_8935.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487850520208005890" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>-This is an exciting new plant: Chinese Salad Mallow. The young leaves like these are tender and great in salads like lettuce, older leaves even make edible bowls. </div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-Fklo3U3j8BormyInyBn5dO8A0f_dbnY6NhE-G-fFPdA51qLJbSoIguoajAaS2qsoTWMk5L4mM39Qqo_oXhyxaF3AfopohRwpWc0rH2EFRjE7hTaAa43vCYzln8aLZwHxjj_M6gUkd4/s400/IMG_1933.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487849856845676002" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>-A sea of lettuce</div><br /><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgey_DIyGm5fo8q95Nngvukz60eFZYgcz4KxjyREwUk5u95-Gi8CkhUB-F5Wt6Tp8cNYYpzttw2R-65hm_BJlgl2kK-ODFtbCcdZf35Ry9TxrQ0Clr6D1uUm2Rw-opCl7PPpvjcki-YMSw/s400/IMG_8900.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487848556949429874" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>-Spinach going to seed</div></div>Owen Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505294258987235267noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041802134664465412.post-1977303540380900232010-06-28T07:47:00.000-07:002010-06-28T10:19:11.891-07:00Of Deer, Greenhouses and Seed WorkshopsFinally, some welcome rain and a much needed opportunity for some writing! The garden is growing better than ever this time of year, it seems like every time I look at a plant it's twice the size it was last time. Around here this is the season of weeding and staking, watching things grow and best of all of endless salads. Life in the yurt has been fantastic (I still promise that construction write-up soon!), although it seems to have had the unintended consequence of deterring the deer from the upper field only to drive them into the lower field and the main seed garden. The damage wasn't too severe, a few peas got nibbled and are now re-growing. Ever since I built my funky, improvised deer fence last week out of tomato stakes, twine, surveyors tape and pie plates the garden seems to be secure. <div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZklOsDQyJZs5NkE01jKcE7NiqzEsPaLCePEoFkFK54ODnyZWg8aakp861b9egurdOdk6DfzTPYcc6ufAvtgSMW7Wmfbgu5SLFrFBNqdAUb4G8JovTnjV9R_dCTqB1ZeStwuJfLwZLZY/s400/IMG_8941.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487839645609228738" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The greenhouse is finally coming together too. The frame is nearly finished now, it's just a matter of finishing the ends (we're having wooden ends with wide double doors) and waiting for a totally still day to throw the plastic over.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRD9UK5JkKvp0Jy8dno7HzJVx8n2tnGOMOOH-q9FNqoU5Ys9QhoXyfriGHQ5szGtpTn1p35Xhre0yl95xuHjXIvcXXbC4dyf1NzNpAIUBW47fbxBIyOPpI13LJJZkubDm8DNiSbjtJ50g/s400/IMG_8886.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487845332306231170" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Also in the works is a very exciting series of seed saving workshops with both myself and my friend and mentor Dan Jason from <a href="http://www.saltspringseeds.com/">Salt Spring </a></div><div><a href="http://www.saltspringseeds.com/">Seeds</a>. Dan is coming out here in late August and we'll likely be giving three separate workshops around the province (details to follow!) the biggest one and the one that's all confirmed is the <a href="http://pollinationproject.com/eventsview.php?ID=84&d=2455360">Watershed Farm Music Festival</a> on August 28th. Organized by Pollination Project at Watershed Farm, we'll have music all day on Saturday the 28th along with organic growing and seed saving demos throughout the day. The following day Sunday will be a smaller, quieter and more in-depth course with the two of us, check out the details: <a href="http://pollinationproject.com/eventsview.php?eventID=85">pollinationproject.com/eventsview.php?eventID=85 </a>. I'll keep everyone posted when we decide on the details for the other courses!</div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9eSAulqmIqyEpH9OBygfVwAlbsRyAUjQh4xEWEZJThDVspnR-hdZ1KE82mfjAAyT__76AevunvlNdvKkbpWigdzsYoxVXzVByNgSkZ52TlMTIhkheEMbCEP_AmjjPTGSz8IYXn4ZgxU0/s400/IMG_1974.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487859344957208290" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Also, here's a photo I've been meaning to share from my time as a guest on The Weekend Gardener the other week. Niki Jabbour hosts the show every Sunday from 11:00 to 1:00 on 95.7 FM in Nova Scotia. I ended up going in to the studio for the interview, which was a ton of fun with such a knowledgeable gardener as Niki. Check out her <a href="http://yearroundveggiegardener.blogspot.com/">blog</a> too.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next up is a weeklong farm tour of sorts to New Brunswick, there's a lot to organize on this rainy day...</div><div> </div><div><div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>Owen Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505294258987235267noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041802134664465412.post-28502576107421919242010-06-06T15:32:00.000-07:002010-06-06T16:30:50.188-07:00June Photos<div>This is probably the busiest time of year on the farm with the seeding almost finished and the weeds now coming on strong, so instead of writing a detailed update here are a few photos of what's new! <br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcym_Swbw0phTiAIBbBr8UfpHklWhqmG8ZXI8vAJ9qZUbU5QjNo6h8ewqvF-wUvSBP1oKhlV5_D9TAsMCGDh2UlpJ2Ta-jh5iQmNUIdZmdV1_s_5v_YWmJXyp_xmgDQ3HB-U7J5UbX6U/s400/IMG_1874.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479800921592546834" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>-One of the new seed gardens.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HL_0L0md0ta7HNB2eEZ6gIOL0_tqjP9dYoXChAzpiO69HMfH0RvY2-Ym-OvoYiJcCOKMRhjdx0bBP_Gzv6973rZxoTEsFSd_rB0ez2mP-EXbBWzcIr5N6pnXKNLELYbAxG3fvKu2ihM/s400/IMG_1844.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479796428635538514" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>-The new yurt! I moved in for the summer a few weeks ago, I'll post a more detailed write-up when I get the time...</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSx0yAfqZ0M8_IR0xkCGCHL3yZZvDudIq4eXhdMF40HcnXb6gpNptPaZBpt2vEzmkqatvGedlsq1773MQB0a8dwM3Ctq97jpLwveH1EpNazXUjtQ3LEHNfoZcDAvGTn17R2e_-j35r70/s400/IMG_1867.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479795613840662594" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>-A tarwi sprout. This is a very exciting new crop for me, tarwi is an edible annual lupin with huge white seeds as big as beans. It's an ancient crop from the Incans that is nearly lost in modern cultivation, if it does well I hope to have seeds in a year or two.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhel1YHCzqu-D3rq2kizCNLHLK-qObzOyiFAYEqHqYDbSrrkQ2EXRbLmsrk9dWBWq-ke-dl_3m5QhUFkzg1IcccnoF0qAUkcwjMvnAtne_PMAHKV-Lor5zNvvEzJlrafDUsERowIdTVJJI/s400/IMG_1868.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479799084285624930" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>-Milk Thistle</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyiYSCwimJVOvkVOESfnWUaziAIjZZHGFmgxqrA5rUwI_IjCWykmlAWwnQr1yoMnUmOpU2ObPPH_he7J4hGcxVbp7-lSz67WXDPHW6qvhgSpAC2ixC3BvqhzrrSNGorZ18kYc_b5gUNFo/s400/IMG_1881.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479797999428691826" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>-As I write this the lupins are at their absolute peak bloom, the meadows are just filled with their heady fragrance on warm, still mornings.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbrUPy65x2VkyKIIbMhxOo038VF67N8vlwv2TavPnJuNpv-AZt6YdzLhbnIKvLrYKIMIAgOI3pFWyGMRjT5dRlFBPm5fjsw9bvnfsxzzchT9K84jPcWNkkxf6zNjGTTyl6DI6xWheDHw/s400/IMG_1864.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479794132956730210" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>-Lots of different greens destined for seed in the 2011 catalogue. The greens where so popular last year I'm really expanding in that direction, I have 35 lettuces alone planned for next year.</div></div>Owen Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505294258987235267noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041802134664465412.post-50150354046362793922010-05-11T18:09:00.000-07:002010-05-19T20:48:54.668-07:00Spring Farm UpdatesSpring is sure arriving in full force now! Despite that extremely early start (the daffodils were in bloom in early April) things seem to have slowed down a bit and everything seems to be a little bit closer to average right now. There are a ton of farm projects that I'll tell you about as I get the chance, the biggest ones are the new greenhouse, the new yurt and of course all the seed expansion. I'm planting a bigger area than ever for seeds this year, two of the three garden areas on the farm have been greatly expanded. I just came in from seeding all 16 cereal grain varieties for this year, and the 35 new lettuces we planted last week are all sprouting in the loamy Nictaux soil (lettuce seeds were big this year so I'm growing as many as I can for 2011). The peas are all in now too, I've got almost 100 varieties on the go including some extremely rare ones like Monster, Prince Edward and Gravedigger. Now we just need some rain... <div><br /></div><div>The other week we tilled, leveled, seeded and rolled two new hay meadows. One was seeded last year but the ground was so lumpy from the plowing work that we had to re-do it this spring (otherwise mowing would be nearly impossible), we had a tractor in to have it tilled then by hand we raked flat all the furrows and rolled the seeds in with a borrowed push-roller (thanks to our wwoofer Greg for the many hours of rolling!). It's looking nice and primed to start sprouting now, I really can't wait until we can start scything up there.</div><div><br /></div><div>The house is full of seedlings in various states of growth and the new greenhouse is slowly coming along to provide some much needed extra space. The anchor posts are all set but I haven't had the time yet to move on to assembling the frame, updates to come! </div><div><br /></div><div>As you can see from the photos the yurt frame is totally finished now too. I've just spent a couple of days over at Little Foot Yurts getting all the angles and dimensions right, it's so exciting to see it finally coming together! The canvas will be ready for it on Sunday, I'll have more photos and details real soon...</div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsDb8M76GlrFskaS-5fqosLLECa4F02-3KvP9iuYkugWYhz7QchOoWZLfz2H9AyPkKbhNTDMXHPUqdYrWReQ7Fz8xcprdcJDKmJjP8GrdnzV2pbzjEmQLAmUt2dsdHgqgBURx6kADFPrI/s400/IMG_1685.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473193839319731858" /><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZV3CP3rRTbM0c1YLG4Vo6tNd1OZLEmvhY2GybZ-SoNGgvafngmeJ-G42vlVzqCmQYIX377B6LOrqdyoPjBeFsdzx7NOsluynbsGAlANSCRAr1lvFBDUXV_1uiHsLSMPV6ITpL0vm-n0/s400/IMG_1722.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473190560077189010" />Owen Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505294258987235267noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041802134664465412.post-21586143732423355662010-05-11T14:06:00.000-07:002010-05-11T14:33:27.167-07:00Seedy Friday photos!Sorry for the lack of action on the blog as of late, there have been so many exciting projects on the go I can't stop to write about them! Now that my winter seed season is winding down and the much more interesting to write about farming season is sprouting back into the forefront I hope to be a bit more active on here again.<br /><div><div><br /></div><div>Here are the photos from Seedy Friday on April 30th, it was the first event of it's kind in Middleton and it went better than I ever could have hoped for! It was tied in with the Middleton Farmers' Market so it had that existing energy to build on, we ended up having all the local Maritime seed growers represented and an active seed trading table. Gilberte Doelle and her crew came up from Wild Rose Farm down Digby way and were a big hit with seedlings and Hope Seeds and the earliest greens around out of her high-tunnel. Pumpkin Moon Farm came out too to round out the local seed-scene. We ended up having almost 30 people attend the garden talks (myself on seed saving and Dan Moore on creating healthy soil), we had a good sized room booked for it but it was packed. I can't wait to grow on the event for next year, I can really feel the seed saving movement catching on more than ever in the community.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia3E21_koqDpnrUxYcYE2Aecfe3WhQ5lU-jm3TewulLLSul7GasfdOd62fZqgjaqd-wGZNcgpLODY80HIjJIVxNadg1dnj4UhfX4aHwmgOiba51sjYYqbrnqclpS2_1ykRlsTuxUokW5o/s320/IMG_1725.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470123720991785730" /></div><div><br /></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie43I85bMG7hz10ExkLsTmU5DS__MavKAgC5MgXybNKl-Oj18UKnwZ6WHAmbIZZLuTj5LwGghlrlSbCrozLd05RKQg7vW38C7yZWslKL47dFY0mOCFojJgEi56I50O7yOl12WOJ1qfv_E/s320/IMG_1728.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470127886937741122" /></div><div><br /></div>Owen Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505294258987235267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041802134664465412.post-86157648912726387942010-03-14T16:32:00.000-07:002010-03-14T17:04:35.179-07:00It's Seedy Saturday Season!You know it's spring for sure when communities begin gathering for Seedy Saturdays! For the uninitiated, Seedy Saturdays are community events for trading seeds, sharing knowledge and sometimes hearing some good gardening speakers, they're always a blast! They started in BC in the 80's and are really starting to catch on in the Maritimes. I'll be attending five around Nova Scotia this spring:<div><br /></div><div>Bridgewater, March 20</div><div>Wolfville, April 10</div><div>Halifax, April 17</div><div>Truro, April 24</div><div>Middleton, April 30</div><div><br /></div><div>(Check out <a href="http://seeds.ca/ev/events.php">Seeds of Diversity</a> for more info on them) </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm organizing the first ever Middleton event this year, it's tying in with the farmers' market on April 30th. Hope to see you there (whether you have seeds to trade or are looking to get some seeds, it should be fun!). </div>Owen Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505294258987235267noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041802134664465412.post-24524667818796654302010-03-08T16:13:00.001-08:002010-03-10T19:27:55.618-08:00ACORN 2010I'm back recovering my energy and catching up on orders after a very busy three days in Charlottetown! There never seems to be enough time to catch up with everyone, it's quite a feat to gather the entire maritime organic community in one place so it's often the only chance in the year we all get to see each other. Here're a few photos I thought I'd share!<div><br /></div><div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmphCycL9d7OjvZNDRK5yFhPTc_zurSeFwttOuDNHt2exp1e9OIPUwWUQGaD8qe6a-SKQcSh4jYxqbayyAUnKH3wXDrbwl95cajcTl4Eajm2-06ue32a6X8HFCTNUwfF2PwnIEy3qEVZw/s320/IMG_1579.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446423261925058338" /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>(Two very seedy people. Check out Andrea's company Hope Seeds if you haven't already!)</div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6slw1oFDqywYs7xd8mIAZks-lm9qTI9DBtcEM65WKMbdnPbCE6LwpQy-YClc3_xsa2-BVLRuLVWzxiIpA088Gw6aP6OnRPTJSWN_Pm5RljFIanVVScaM07ZrhnaKky3xW8OFpecj9l48/s320/IMG_1567.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446423925899923890" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>(Contra Dance with the Smokin' Contra Band)</div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWUYjKxI5x0Tw1riKzuVukoKqvUhxNmAu5rQNBrzHdpdaT-JPFW0MGfbVfe3dO75fFtaOIrGxvcoSI23f3sLSqU6FQrYik4zKHQrN8RgC9xrUVVqBVbizDIUhg1DZTGW0Rmrxe6Dp67Jc/s320/IMG_1557.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446431190399482562" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>(The Seedy Saturday swap table)</div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGCUrc630BkrPyp6Ap1YM6O0HRTwYt3weasAw7R1LJwYTxJvsbMUcgtDLNK2TVa5Cq94sJbHeupVv9m7ZntYwIx8HY2YVNe-aX0D43SpH3ZCKVMUbsP-1kJcFpLTZiY3y3cBJ9-RMmo8/s320/IMG_1580.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446432120565183426" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div></div></div>Owen Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505294258987235267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041802134664465412.post-36221184357565219612010-03-02T17:07:00.000-08:002010-03-02T20:32:44.413-08:00Spring is Almost Here!As this winter's deep snow begins to recede and the streams flow swiftly with cold meltwater we're reminded just how close spring is now. The maple trees are nearly flowing with sap and I saw the first starling singing sweet songs of spring in his usual place at the corner of the barn roof. <div><br /></div><div>I started my first seeds in trays the other day; leeks, onions and celery as well as fennel, angelica, nettle and a bunch of other herbs sent to me by my friend Dan Jason on the west coast (<a href="http://www.saltspringseeds.com/">www.saltspringseeds.com</a>). Some exciting news to report... I have a greenhouse on the way! I just bought a 20' x 36' greenhouse from Ontario, unheated with double-poly and roll up sides. It arrives in April (I expect in a million pieces) and with some luck should be assembled in time for next year's seedlings (hopefully sooner though!). In any case this will be the last year where I'll have to hijack the entire sunny kitchen for seedlings, soon I'll have a whole greenhouse in which to propagate things! I'll also grow peanuts, sweetpotatoes and peppers during the summer months (plants that are somewhat borderline in the field), I'll be experimenting with okra too... stay tuned. <div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvlVnCNcU7b_qh6vCrRImOrABHsN_I8azwakQyy9bIeR0RyJKo6pAML8k6ZjkrlFxGKNbAOTmGduBaqTL_BMJok7UnxbMDSh-x7Zi0AvXsQT1k4yWWxrmzvIuQrHHXz0g9plMoQyIRxE/s320/IMG_1545.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444212162561096002" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Another ritual of spring comes up on Thursday, the ACORN Conference! In Charlottetown this year, I'll have a table in the trade show for the three days. There are lots of great workshops I hope to catch if I can get away from my table, as well a contra dance with the Smokin' Contra Band! </div><div> </div></div></div>Owen Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505294258987235267noreply@blogger.com3