4th week of March 2010

Greenhouse Trays We are having our first thunderstorm of the year as I write. After several days of sun, the spring rains have arrived. Unfortunately I had other things that needed attention on some of the nice days and didn't get to work outdoors as much as I would have liked. On the cool, rainy days the greenhouse is still very comfortable for working. The shelf is quickly filling up with flats of seedlings. Anything that is frost sensitive is still under the flourescent lights indoors but the cool crops are growing nicely in the greenhouse. One of my favorite things to do is to transplant seedlings, especially lettuce, into flats. When I can do it at an unstressed pace it is a very relaxing task. It is amazing though how one flat of seeds can quickly become 3 or 4 flats of seedlings in packs. It's so hard to throw away any seedlings so I usually end up transplanting everything that looks sturdy and hope that I can sell or barter with the extras. With my many gardening friends, it is fun to exchange what I have in excess for some goodies that I forgot to plant or something new.

Daffodils The long awaited opening of the first daffodil buds has arrived. The kids have been checking them every morning for over a week along the edge of my greenhouse. The first one became a bouquet for grandma, others went to a friend and we took a bouquet along to a baby shower. As more continue to open they keep thinking of who we can share them with. I need to research if there are any studies on the effects of flowers on mental health but from the results I see at our house I'm convinced there is a connection. The excitement of waiting for blossoms, the pleasure of picking and smelling them and finally figuring out who to share them with are enough to lift anyone's spirits. Interestingly, I did find reports of a way that gardening is a good antidote for depression. Soil contains the bacteria mycobacterium vaccae that activates brain cells to release more serotonin. Thus when your hands come in contact with the soil you are releasing an antidepressant. How's that for cheap meds?

Local Roots Demo I have been enjoying taking cards and gift baskets to sell at the Local Roots Market in Wooster. It's been a blessing to have some extra winter farm income plus it's a fun place to meet other farmers as well as shoppers. One of their grant money purchases was a demonstration kitchen and there are often folks cooking and giving samples of various products in the market. I did a yogurt demonstration the other week using Hartzler Dairy milk and yummy honey jam. Here is our daughter during her kids demonstration last week making Oven Fries. The rosemary and garlic made the whole room smell yummy. The Local Roots Market is open on Saturdays and just expanded their schedule to include hours on Friday afternoon. Our family is considering what other products would be good for us to take there to sell. Definitely a place to check out if you are in search of local foods this time of year.