Sherrieflower's Blog

FULL SWING INTO SPRING
Apr 21, 2008 | 9:31 AM PST
Tags: early blooms , critter control? and farmers markets

4/21/08  It is amazing how quickly everything takes off once the temperature warms a bit and the spring rains begin to green everything up.  We are now at peak bloom for the hundreds of daffodils /narcissi blooming in our woods along the west shore of our pond.  Our Magnolia tree is magnificent this year - better than I have ever seen it.  It wasn't all that great last year but that was probably due to the late frost we got that killed off my apricot blooms too.  The apricot trees are just now blooming and I am praying we don't get another freeze like last year - [that was horrible!]  My nanking cherries just started blooming too and today I noticed the 1st tulip out.

We just planted our orchard 3 years ago so it is exciting to see blooms -coz that means fruit! if all goes well.  Last year we got our 1st seven peaches off one of our peach trees.  I am a novice orchardist so I am learning as I go and hoping I don't make too many mistakes.  I am going to have to watch the Nanking cherry bushes tho' - Last year the birds got them all but I did get to taste one.  They are very small but they tasted good.  Since this is a wildlife habitat, we struggle with keeping our vegetable gardens protected from deer and rabbits.  I am thinking I might try those motion detector water spray things this year.   Anyone have experience with those to share?

I have already planted yukon gold potatoes, radishes [for market - I don't like them personally], peas, spinach and a variety of salad greens + a few carrots and beets.  As soon as we get into May it will be time to start planting the rest of the garden.  I am in the process of hardening off the plants I have started from seed.  I started some snapdragon and hope to sell a few fresh cut flowers at market in addition to the drieds I did last year.  Our market is small however, and we are hoping to attract more customers, so far I haven't really made that much money at it, but I am hoping things will start to pick up soon.  Is there anyone else here who is doing Farmers markets from small acreage?  What sells well for you?