What's new?

Hooray! The snow has melted! Now we have to contend with the shoe-sucking mud, but I'll take it.

Sunday, I re-fenced the sheep and then wandered down to the spring to check on the watercress. We're fortunate to have a spring that feeds into a creek. Our cress grows just at the head of the spring.

There was the watercress in all its beautiful green glory! I decided to snip some for George for his birthday and tried balancing on a log that had fallen across the stream. Of course, I ended up falling part way in and my boots filled with water. Ack!

But the good news is that we have some watercress for sale. Please call or email me if you'd like some delivered.

The chickens are super happy to get outside even if most of their yard is mud right now. We do have some rye grass in part of the garden, planted in the fall for "green manure" and will probably herd them over there soon so they can get some green matter. Once the weather stabilizes and things green up, we'll move them to the pasture (increasing Omega-3 fatty acid content and darken the yolks of their eggs).

I am still looking for new egg customers! Please let your friends and relatives know. If you refer a new regular customer, you will get one free dozen eggs!

We spent some time figuring out what to do with our garden hoop house - a structure made of plastic pipe and plastic sheeting that helps extend our growing season. The heavy snow collapsed some of the tubing so we are working at propping it back up. We'll start planting in there as soon as possible.

I saw a program on Wisconsin Public Television about "salad tables." These are growing trays with mesh bottoms built on legs. You can plant lettuce, chard, spinach and other greens, water and harvest "cut and come again" salads throughout the growing season. I'm going to make one and encourage others to as well. You can make them whatever size suits you. More info and plans are at the Maryland Extension Service.

We will be involved with the La Crosse Earth Week Coalition's Earth Month activities including having a booth and donating some food for the Earth Fair on Saturday, April 24 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Three Rivers School, 901 Caledonia Street. There are many great activities planned throughout the month. Check the calendar at their Facebook page.

Finally, if you might be interested in joining a food buying club (we order from United Natural Foods, Inc.), please let me know. We are always looking for new members. Our food is delivered once a month and we get a 6% discount on all non-sale items. Fore more info, visit our blog: MightyRiverBC.blogspot.com