We had the first farmers’ market of the year in Tewksbury last Thursday. Next Thursday, June 11, we’ll be back in Tewksbury, then in North Andover on Sunday and Billerica on Monday.
The garlic scapes are coming in – we should have them for sale this week. Planting continues at the field, but the bulk of it is done. The summer squash plants have stuck their heads out of the dirt. The tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers are looking good.
But lots of progress. Tomatoes, eggplants, sweet peppers, okra, and summer squash are in. Most of the other rows are cleaned and ready. Hot peppers, winter squash, and a bunch of other things are going in next weekend. And, the first farmers market is coming up on the 5th in Tewksbury.
We’re in the middle of a small nor’easter right now. A bit wet for field work today, but maybe tomorrow… So far we have 20 rows of tomatoes and 2 rows of eggplant in. For the weekend, the rest of the eggplant, some peppers, and the summer squash, and maybe a few other things. Next week is looking good for growing weather!
Planting season is here. We’ve been clearing and cleaning in the field. Onions and tomatoes go in this weekend. Lettuce, peas, and cabbages have been in the ground for a couple of weeks now. We weeded the garlic last week – it’s 18 inches tall. There isn’t a free minute.
Just got 3 nuclear hives of bees to add to the 4 that made it through the winter. We’ll set them up tomorrow when the rain passes. Peas and cabbages are in.
The last few weekends have been wet and chilly, holding up the outside activities. But inside, work on the new cold room continues, and in the few breaks in the clouds we’ve been able to start the peas and cabbage patch.
Started working on converting a small garage into a cold room. Ordered the pieces to modify a window air conditioner to go down to 40 degree F.
In the seed trays, in the greenhouse. Tomatoes are next
It looks as if the end of the maple season is upon us here in Chelmsford. The weather predicted for the next week is too warm for sap, and after that the sap will probably be turning. We finished boiling the last of the sap today. 337 gallons of sap, which was extra strong this year – close to 2.5 Brix. We got 10 gallons of syrup. We’ll let it settle for a month or so, then bottle it.
In the greenhouse the eggplants are starting to sprout. And in the yard, the snowdrops are up. Spring is close.
The first batch of syrup has come off the evaporator. Very nice this year. A bit darker than last year, with excellent taste.