A Friend's Account of Her Day at Harmony Ridge

http://flowrgirl1.blogspot.com/2010/04/harmony-ridge-farm.html

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Newsletter #3: April 2010

Spring in the Piedmont: the welcoming buds of maple, then the tumble of cherry blossoms and shock of redbud, a brief taste of the swelter to follow, then back again…the blooms of the dogwood remind you it’s only April.

Where I sit, the creek bottom crackles with sound at daybreak – one song overlapping the next and I reckon our language inferior. The scent of so much growth is sweet as the rot beneath. The balm in the air is heady and uplifting. But how long can such sweetness last?

The organic farmer must be in tune with cycles, the needs of plants according to these cycles and accepting of change, be it for good or otherwise. And this in-tuneness is mostly learned. Sometimes the hard way. He plants a row of cabbage early on – known to be one of the hardiest of crops – a cold night, barely 32, leaves the row mottled and bitten by frost. Cabbage is hardy, yes, but must be hardened (that is, slowly acclimatized to life outside the greenhouse) if it is to thrive. He knew this intellectually, but until he felt the pain of losing something he’d labored for that knowledge was only information. Impatience was not solely responsible for this loss. Muleheadedness had something to do with it. This fall he’ll scatter some cabbage seeds and hope for the best. (This is a hypothetical farmer we are speaking of, by the way.)

There have been a few setbacks. Much of these setbacks may be filed under the heading: “Mistakes made due to bad timing”. (Farming, like music, is all about timing in tune with atmosphere.) Transplanting before a long string of warm, sunny days, tilling ground not quite dry enough and transplanting too near midday are a few examples. Thus far these hard lessons have come outside the greenhouse, where growth has been steady and strong. In an attempt to offset any errors we might make come Spring we started planting early in the greenhouse, following these plantings with a second or third wave through February and March. Ironically, the first wave and every wave thereafter has grown like crazy, and therein has laid the source of most “mistakes made due to bad timing”. There’s been simply too many healthy plants to transfer outside on too few ideal planting days. But we just keep plugging and planting and plenty are thriving. We have been fortunate these 90-some days didn’t send our greens to the dreaded bolt. But there are many good days to come and no “snaps” in sight. So with the accumulated wisdom of a challenging winter and early Spring under my belt, I’ll stride ahead knowing there’s no real need to rush growth, as it happens organically all the time.

As I mull over all that’s been accomplished thus far I can almost marvel at the progress we’ve made since taking off in early fall (with a little help from our friends). First off, most all the infrastructure is in place – the barn lacks only some interior detail work (you can see the finished exterior), the irrigation system is piped in and being stretched from bed to bed and the greenhouse supporting a diversity of plant life. Much of the cover crop has been turned into the soil and amendments added – lime, compost and fertilizer. An ample number of broccoli, lettuce, chard, beet and cabbage (yes, cabbage) plants have acclimated to life outdoors. The alliums (onions, leeks and garlic ) are growing just as well as the weeds that love to accompany them. The radish, snap pea, mustard and arugula seeds we sowed outdoors are growing nicely also. We’re on the brink of seeing the spuds sprout. And it looks like we’ll have some early tomatoes in May if we can coax the bees to get busy.

To our delight, we’ve had great success growing greenhouse lettuces despite the recent heat. Some we planted directly into bags of McEnroe potting soil and others we planted in raised beds atop tables using homemade potting soil. We produced a soil blend in our compost tumbler using aged horse manure, peat moss, vermiculite, greensand and rock phosphate. Once mixed, the soil as transferred to tables topped with chicken wire and synthetic burlap. Our trial batch of lettuce is full grown and tender as can be. Barring any setbacks, we will offer early lettuce to our CSA members by the end of April for pickup at the farm. (I’ll let you all know as soon as they are available.)

We’ve been busy planting edible perennials as well: asparagus, rhubarb, horseradish, blackberry, raspberry and elderberry all went into beds situated near our section of Mill Creek. Fig trees and rosemary grown from cuttings are rooting and vegging out in the greenhouse. There are even little figs! It looks like it will be fall before we can plant many fruit trees – peaches, plums and apples are part of the (very fluid) orchard plan, in addition to some natives such as persimmons and pawpaws. Any advice on what fruits and varieties grow best here is welcome.

In the last few weeks we’ve been lucky to have some volunteer farmhands at the time when we need it most. A couple friends of mine, Kalin Griffin and Michelle Verville, as well as my Mom, Wendy, and wife, Holly, have devoted some of their valuable time to help with some chores around the farm. Michelle is a professional horticulturist and orchard scout from Michigan who is interested in starting a small CSA in her home state and wanted to experience our operation. She provided some valuable organic pest control and greenhousing advice for which I’m most grateful. Thanks Kalin, Holly, Michelle and Mom for all your hard work! We are always open to having an extra hand around…I believe the experience can be educational and fun. Learn practical skills and get a work out in!

Our 2010 CSA is almost full. There are only 3 shares available for purchase. The particulars of our program are covered in the March newsletter posted here: If you are interested in being a part of our charter membership please act fast! Some folks have told us to sign them up: your payment in full reserves your family’s share in our farm. Contact me, Isaac, at harmonyridgefarms@gmail.com or call 336.922.5611 for payment information.

By request, we have decided to offer home delivery as part of the CSA program. Applicants must live within or very near Winston-Salem or within 10 miles of Tobaccoville. Home delivery is $100 for the entire harvest season (May-October) delivered directly to your front door. Delivery will occur on Fridays, as will our share drop-offs.

CSA shares will be available Friday mornings at three locations: (1) Harmony Ridge Farms, 3835 Bowens Rd., Tobaccoville, NC, 27050, (2) New Planet Yoga, 1150 Burke St., Winston-Salem, 27101 (between Burke Street Pizza and Price Davis Florist). Parking is behind the building. And (3) my parents’ front porch (Kevin and Wendy Oliver): 3620 Rosebriar Circle, Winston-Salem, 27106. Specific times for drop-offs and home delivery will soon be determined. If anyone absolutely cannot pickup Fridays, we can talk.

Thanks again to all of you that have supported our farm CSA. Our gratitude goes out to Jeff Holderfield and crew for building an awesome barn as well as Gene Renegar of Triad Turf for helping us set-up an effective irrigation system. Thanks also to Meghan Prior of New Planet Yoga, who has graciously allowed us to use her lot for share drop-offs. And a special thanks to everyone that has provided words of encouragement (and prayers!) Wishing you all a merry April!

Cheers,

K. Isaac Oliver

Manager

Harmony Ridge Farms

My Dad, Kevin, behind our favorite machine: the BCS tiller:

March 2010: Newsletter and CSA Info

Yes, strange as it seems the fairer season is only seventeen days off. I almost can't remember the trees in their clothes. Their gnarled, naked bodies are getting old. But soon enough they'll be donning their budded underthings and somehow be reborn. Full-on green-garbed modesty will usher in summer and these wet, white fields will be a distant memory. Interesting how the seasons facilitate forgetfulness, and help us get on with our lives. I appreciate the changes after my time in Washington state, where the seasons are pared down to two: the wet, dark one and the too-short dry one. This winter may have been a long one in here in North Carolina, but we have so much to look forward to.

Not the least of which is home-grown goodness! Our greenhouse is growing more lush by the day. The broccoli is already dwarving the four-inch pots they’ve been transplanted into. We got a little overexcited and planted them a bit early back in January. They’re eagerly awaiting their day outside the plastic.

It looks as though we may have the window we need to plant outside by Sunday or Monday if the ground has a chance to dry out. Onions, leeks, kale, beets and some hardier greens will be planted out, followed by a few peach, plum and fig trees later in the week. Lettuces will go out around late-March under row covers to keep temperatures up a bit at night and deter deer.
I had the chance this past weekend to work some of the beds that will soon be planted, incorporating lime, Harmony fertilizer and compost with our BCS walking tractor. It is a wonderfully versatile contraption, great for intensively working smaller plots. The planting beds are getting nice and fluffy.

The barn is coming along nicely as well. The siding, roof and insulation are installed. In addition, we are now heating our house and greenhouse with wood, as the water stove is up and running. Moreover, the well is irrigating our greenhouse, so I now have time to do other things besides water plants. Like plan for our first CSA…

I suppose you all are wondering what our CSA will be. First off, we will have 20 families (or individuals) sign up for the program. After the initial 20 members confirm their membership a waiting list will be formed. Those topping the list will be given an opportunity to sign up if another member withdraws. Here’s what a subscriber can expect to enjoy:

• 22 weeks of fresh, naturally grown vegetables and herbs grown here, by us for you. The season will run from the week of Mother’s Day (May 9th) to the first week of October.
• The weight of the weekly basket will be between 4-8 Lbs depending on the season.
• The opportunity to help out and learn basic skills on the farm (if so
desired)
• A contribution to the local community and ecosystem by supporting a (near) carbon-neutral, low-waste and chemical-free food production system. The health of our water and soil is of utmost importance to us.
• Close proximity to Winston-Salem. We are 3 miles Northwest of Winston-Salem off Reynolda Rd. Scheduled visits are welcome.
• An annual member farm tour/barbeque.
• The peace of mind of knowing the source of your family’s food.

We have valued the above benefits at $650, to be paid upfront. (This works out to less than $30 per week.) Payment received prior to the harvest season ensures your place as a member and ensures we have the resources we need to provide you with the most vibrant and varied produce possible. Please contact me to see the latest 2010 Harvest Calendar.
Harmony Ridge will also offer a ‘Plus’ program. ‘Plus’ members will receive all of the above listed benefits in addition to the following:

• Locally sourced (really) free-range, vegetarian-fed eggs
• Locally sourced pesticide-free honey
• Locally sourced, seasonally available fruits and berries. All fruits will be as naturally grown as we can find.
• Potted herbs for trying on your greenthumbs at home.

We have priced the “CSA Plus” at $875. The added cost of the “Plus” program figures in the logistics of sourcing, including the time we spend picking fruit and traveling to acquire these goodies.

To assure your place in our CSA please email me at harmonyridgefarms@gmail.com or call 336.922.5611 to arrange payment. You are welcome to see our operation before signing on.
A few more notes on the CSA deliveries. We will set our weekly drop-off locations once we know where our members are located. The two delivery locales will be strategically placed to ensure convenience for each member. Members will also have the option of picking up their produce at the farm in Tobaccoville. Those located outside the immediate Winston-Salem area will, however, be asked to travel to one of our drop-off spots. If you cannot meet on a delivery date, please arrange to have your share collected, otherwise we will donate it.

I’m sure there are some details I left out. Please direct any questions to me, Isaac.

Thank you all for your support. We are tremendously grateful for this opportunity to serve our community.

Rising Above the Muck and Snow

An old German saying goes: If the winter is warm, the farmer will be poor. (Yes! Us farmers will be raking it in this year) Of course the old German farmers also said, "If the rooster crows on the manure pile, the weather will change." Tell me who keeps an eye on a manure pile before daybreak.
Yes, it's cold and it's wet. What to do - go inside! The greenhouse, that is. On a sunny day, it's a solid 80 degrees under plastic. Our barn contractor, Jeff, thought I'd gone off the wagon when he caught me sowing cabbage seeds shirtless on Monday. But hey, might as well soak up the rays we've got.
Some of our first seedlings of the year have emerged: broccoli, leeks, cabbages, and various greens including arugula and swiss chard. I've recently moved all our flats to "the big house" now that we have the power of propane on our side. Soon our primary heat source, the wood-burning water stove (pictured left being miraculously lifted by Tony Ball) will be powered up. Tony installed the behemoth; we're just waiting on Duke Power to run us a line. Jeff Holderfeld (standing right of Tony) has designed and is building a beautiful barn. We are quite impressed with the progress that he and his crew have made. I've included pictures documenting the progress below the article. Thanks Jeff!

The use of our irrigation system also hinges on Duke power. (I'm hoping someone that reads this wields some power at Duke.) The lines and pump are installed, just waiting to go to work for us. On a sunny day I'm practically camped out in the greenhouse with a backpack sprayer strapped to my back. The soil surface drys out pretty quick when it's so warm, which could prolong seedling germination. So I water. It's kind of like babysitting but without the whining. Another reason I enjoy working with plants. Just kidding - about the kids.

I'm putting the polish on the first newsletter. All of you that have expressed interest should receive it in the next day or two. If you or a friend are not already on the listserve and would like to be please let me know at harmonyridgefarms@gmail.com. Also, we are open to any requests regarding seed purchase. If there's a unique edible you'd like us to grow, we'll do our best (within reason). We'll have a harvest calendar posted soon as well, so those of you wishing to purchase produce will know what we'll have available and when.
Thanks you all for your support and encouragement. Hang in there, Spring is just around the corner. Ha!


"The Grove" pictured pre-barn.

Photos 11.09 - 1.10

December/Early January Happenings

I thought I'd drop a note to all you hanging on pins and needles waiting to find out more. Is that how the expression goes? I doubt it. Anyway, as any of you know that have gone outside lately, it's cold. The blueberries got planted over the course of a whirlwind Saturday in early December. Since then they've been hammered by frigid temps and bone-chilling wind. I do believe the roots were given ample time to establish though, and thus should weather the snap. Progress otherwise has been slow but steady. The greenhouse tables are up and waiting to grow something (as pictured above). Greenhouse production will begin around mid-February. Our irrigation and heat systems are in the making. The heater situated above the door will be an auxiliary heater powered by propane. Our main heat source will be a 1000 gallon wood-burning water boiler which will heat our home, greenhouse and barn. If all goes as planned, this will allow us to grow in the greenhouse all winter long next year, effectively making us a four-season farm. And fossil-fuel free! So we've been thinning out some unhealthy trees in our woodlot for future fuel. In the process, we were able to establish two more planting beds along the forest's edge for raspberry and elderberry production.
We are continuing the soil-building process on our fields and will be turning over an additional quarter of an acre of botttomland for added vegetable production space. (As soon as the ground thaws and clear skies give us the window we need.)
I'm in the process of gathering e-mails for our listserve. I'll be sending out e-newsletters and CSA info beginning February. If you're interested in receiving communications please drop me a note at harmonyridgefarms@gmail.com. Thanks and happy gardening!