It’s tempting to yearn for the good-old-days (ie pre-coronavirus), when our biggest challenge was the weather.

And then came last week – and our biggest challenge was the weather!

For close to a week there was a frost warning each night. And sure enough there was frost almost every morning … and some snow flurries, and temperatures cold enough that I wore my coveralls – my lined winter coveralls – a few times. There was even ice in the chickens’ water pail a couple of those mornings. Several days I woke up before dawn to hear wind machines roaring in the vineyards in the distance, stirring up the air to prevent damage to the tender grape buds. The blooms on our neighbours’ strawberries froze – acres of potential berries destroyed. Fruit growers in our area lost a significant portion of their sweet cherry, apricot and nectarine crops.

We were fortunate to suffer little damage. While there was no worry for the plants in the greenhouse, we covered everything with row cover anyway, for added insurance. Out in the field we knew most of the vegetables could handle temperatures around the freezing mark. We chose to cover the broccoli since it would take the longest to replace if we were to lose it. Spinach, lettuce, radishes … are all quick crops to grow and these we plant weekly, so we took our chances. In the end we only lost several rows of parsley and some lettuce both of which had been recently transplanted and were not well established yet. Everything else came through those frosty nights looking rather unhappy – but alive. They have mostly bounced back now!

By this past weekend we were enjoying seasonable temperatures and rain, and everything is looking brighter & greener already!

Broccoli still under the row covers – it’s been enjoying the extra warmth. Under the hoops & white insect cover the radishes, salad turnips & arugula are protected from insects.

All the trees are quickly getting their leaves & turning green.

The blackberry canes are leafing out and growing well.

Herbs & weeds happily growing together, and golden hops beginning their climb up the sides of the pergola.

Around the yard we continue to enjoy the beauty & colours of spring …

And I finally finished & hung my winter project – a barn quilt that I painted.

The sunshine & warmer temperatures in the forecast for this week will be very welcome and enjoyed by all. As it looks now, our CSA program should begin sometime in early June. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone again & meeting all our new CSA members!