Rain, Rain, Go To The Midwest!!!!

Yes, that's my yard!!!!  It is so hard to believe that parts of the US are suffering from extreme drought.  We here in eastern NC are most certainly not!  It has rained every day for the last two weeks and my yard is at capacity!  The shots you see above are areas surrounding the exisiting garden.  As you can imagine, the veggies are none too happy with the situation!  While they need water, too much can be just as bad as too little.  At this point, I still have beans, eggplants, peppers, and okra holding on but I am not putting a lot of faith in their ability to produce quality vegetables after this set back.  Unfortunately, I've had to let my CSA subscribers know that they may not be receiving another box for a few weeks.  The decision to have folks pay for boxes as they get them is one that I am glad I made.  While I may not get the money I need upfront to start the growing process, I feel that my customers are happier knowing they only pay for what they receive, when they receive it, and that makes me feel better.  The recent weather is a perfect example of why I decided to venture from the typical "CSA" model. 
I have started a ton of seedlings and they are all doing well.  I'm really looking forward to the fall garden.  I love nothing more than fresh greens!  I've got a variety of goodies planned for the fall and can't wait to deliver! 

On the business front, I have made a bit of progress but mostly am just waiting to win the lottery!  I do have a meeting set up with the health department today to find out what it takes to actually get a commerical grade kitchen set up.  I really want to be able to offer cooking classes and give folks the option of actually eating what they cook.  Food laws being what they are, it's going to be a fairly difficult, and expensive, process but I know it will be worth it in the end.  I'll keep you updated.
Until then, happy growing!

Crop Mob!!!

Join the Carteret Local Food Network for a CROP MOB at Two Bees Farm!!
What is Crop Mob?
 A crop mob is a group of folks who come together to build and empower communities by working side by side. We work together in the spirit of mutual aid. Volunteers show up at a farm to offer their know-how and a helping hand in the spirit of community to assist a farmer with the endless projects that never seem to get done.   Come take part in something meaningful and productive!
We will meet at Two Bees Farm on September 8.  In the event of rain, we will reschedule for September 15. Work will begin at 9 am and continue until noon.  After a morning of hard work we will enjoy a potluck lunch and celebrate community.
Bring a dish to share, plenty of water, a playful spirit, and your tools (shovels, rakes, gloves, etc.). 
Projects to be accomplished include:  tilling ground for grapes, berries, and gardens; building raised beds and grape vine trellis, amending garden beds with compost, clearing land for new planting areas, and honest, hard work! 
Two Bees Farm is located at 753 Old Winberry Road, Newport NC.  Please contact Tanya Scott at 252-342-3447 or seahorsenc@gmail.com for additional details. 

The crop mob concept started right here in NC.. You can read more about it at www.cropmob.org

Runaway Goats!

Things have been so busy that I've barely had time to sit down at my computer, much less update the blog.  Summer brings constant chores and the hot weather has made it rather painful to get them done!  I find myself waking at an insane hour for someone who is "off for the summer" but it's the only time I can get work done without melting away! 

The garden has done well.  I've picked Asian Yard Long Beans all summer and they are yummy!  My squash started off strong but has finally been taken over by my nemesis, the squash vine borer.  I've watched peppers, okra, tomatoes, and other wonderful summer crops come and go.  Just last night I planted seeds for the fall garden.  It's hard to believe that it's time already! 

Charlie and Butterbean decided to go on a little adventure.  They made their way over to the soybean field next door and just kept going!  They showed up this morning on a neighbors back porch.  He was drinking his morning coffee and looked up to see the goats peering through his back door!  I loaded them up in the backseat (yes, I said that...) and brought them back home.  We'll see how long it is before they decide to take off again? 

Veggie box deliveries have been steady and I think everyone is pleased?  They have included a nice variety of veggies, honey, eggs, and other "gifts".  I have decided to keep the list to 6 for the fall as I'm finding that I just need more time and energy to get things done here before committing to more customers.  I'd rather make a small group happy!

Goats, Veggies, and Summer Fun!

I am loving the fact that I'm off for the summer!! It gives me time to do things like can and make pesto!  If only I could win the lottery and be a "Stay at Home Susie Homemaker"!  I've posted a few pictures that many of you have already seen on my facebook page.  I apologize for the repeats but my mom did such an amazing job with the pics that I had to share again!  She's one talented and amazing woman! 

Butterbean and Charlie are my dwarf Nubian goats.  Charlie is now a "wether" which means he's neutered.  I banded him about two days after getting him.  As I'm just starting out, I didn't want to deal with everything that goes along with having a male goat (they pee on their beards!!!) so he and Butterbean are living a very stress free life on the "back 9".  I installed an electic polynet fence and am moving it around as they clear an area.  I can't believe how much they eat in a week!!  Jordan and I have been busy building their house and moving the fencing around but eventually they'll help us clear an area for grapevines and another garden.  Charlie is very friendly and loves to be held.  He comes right up to me and I hear his cute little cries every time I open the back door.  Butterbean is a little skiddish and I'm working with her every day.  I hope that she'll begin to warm to me.  Dwarf Nubians are referred to as "scrub goats" because they eat just about anything.  They are one of the easiest breeds of goats to care for and maintain.  Eventually, I plan to start milking and dwarf nubians are also known for being good milkers despite their small size.  Can you say goat cheese!!!! 

The garden is doing well despite a few setbacks.  Organic gardening can be a challenge.  It's hard when you see plants being taken over by bugs but multiple visits to the garden each day help to keep them in check.  I think I should market a stink bug perfume.. Probably not a best seller, but I've been sportin it for a while now!  Today I am delivering veggie baskets to six folks.  They will receive a mixture of the following (although not enough for everyone to have everything):  Chard, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, beans, peppers, herbs, brussel sprouts, eggplant, pesto, pickles, and jalapeno jelly. 

The bees are being very difficult this year!  After already losing one swarm, I'm down to three hives.  I had to order a new queen this week, and at $60 a pop, I sure hope she does her job!!  I should be able to harvest honey from Hazel's hive by mid July if all goes well.  I'm really looking forward to the honey harvest as it's such an exciting time. 

There's never a dull moment around Two Bees Farm!  Anyone that's up for a visit, just let me know.  I'm "off" for summer break and around most days!

It seems the green in my "green thumb" is not feeling so bright these days. I've added compost, turned the soil, and kept things as bug free as humanly possible but things just aren't taking off.  My poor little watermelon and cantaloupe plants are just that.. little.  They are stunted and don't want to go anywhere.  So, I am buying plants from a local garden center and will see if a second planting  does the trick.  I've had trouble with mexican bean beetles since my bean plants came up and it seems they are stunting the growth of the plants.  Today I'm going home to replant those as well.  It's hard not to get frustrated, especially when I see so many lush and green plants in other gardens.. What's that called, "green with envy"?  I have harvested quite a few cucumbers and will be making dill pickles this week.  A nice addition will be the dried dill seeds that I harvested last week.  I was also able to gather quite a few corriander seeds (picture below).  I'll be busy canning this week and will add pictures of this venture soon!  Also, pictures and information on the two cutest additions to Two Bees Farm:  Butterbean and Charlie are coming soon! 

And I have to show off my new toy.. Thanks Gaskill's Hardware!!



Each year, I am amazed at the changes going on around me.  The transition from one season to another is  bittersweet it seems.  I am always overjoyed at the arrival of Spring.  New blooms, a bit of green (finally), and lots of wonderful food from the garden keep me smiling for months.  This time of year is no different.  Summer will be here soon.  The fact that I only have 11 days of school left makes me want to scream and shout with joy, but I also think about the fact that Spring is on it's way out.  I was again reminded of this fact this week with the last of the spring veggie boxes going out.  I said goodbye to the spring side of the garden.  It will be tilled under this weekend and vetch will be planted as a summer groundcover.  Now I'm keeping an eye on the new arrivals and am pulling out the old canning recipes.  I have tomatoes, squash, beans, peppers, eggplant, cucumbers, and herbs well established and looking healthy.  I may even be able to pick a squash or two this week!  I sent out an email to those folks who receive veggie boxes asking for input and feedback.  I'm thinking I'll try something new for their summer boxes and offer some canned goods, infused oils, and cheese in addition to the standard tomatoes and peppers.  Another great thing about having a summer break is that I will actually have time to spend in the kitchen during the heat of the day.  I'm looking forward to creating some tasty treats!