Whitsend Market Garden

I prefer to keep our farm apolitical, but I also believe it is essential to draw attention to acts of bullying, so that those with spines know when they need to stand up in opposition.  

"Until this moment, Senator, I think I never really gauged your cruelty or your recklessness." When McCarthy tried to continue his attack, Welch angrily interrupted, "Let us not assassinate this lad further, senator. You have done enough. Have you no sense of decency?" (my italics)

-The phrase that ended the McCarthy era.  There have been great Americans...

If you have received a flyer or read an advertisement, here is a quick pitch:

For our new post as of February 12, scroll down...

-Purchase a share of the produce in advance.  

-10-12 harvests between mid June and late November 

-Customers in Ottawa have doorstep delivery

-Customers in Lanark/McDonalds Corners area pick up at the farm gate store.  A few complimentary items shall be available throughout the season to make your drive worth while.

-Broad range of produce available according to season:  Beans and peas, lettuces and greens, potatoes and onions, tomatoes and peppers, carrots, rutabaga, celery, garlic... 

-Honey and pork available as additional purchase

-All farm products are grown using organic methods

-Excellent quality - I now have over 14 years experience 

-Shares cost $360.00 for the season, payable in two installments

-Half shares available for $184.00, 6-8 deliveries per season

-If crops are a little abundant, quantities are topped up at no extra charge

-If we have a particularly good growth of one or more crops, you may purchase extra amounts for putting food by (such as canning for tomatoes, storing carrots, etc.)  

Our share sales have crossed the  36 per cent mark.  If you are interested in a share of the farm produce, please call us soon.

Hello Everyone:  A day of prepping for the storm is almost over - just need to thaw out the gas line on the snow thrower.

Cayley doesn't like the cold and snow, but tries to get out once a day to tag her sentry box by the door; sometimes venturing over to the firewood shed to have a sniff or two.

I'm not so lucky, I have to walk the perimeter to check the electric fence, fiddle with the tarp keeping snow out of the hay hutch, and essential tasks that gloves are too big and clumsy for that needs doing in minus 50 or whatever it is today...

At least the air is fresh and the scenery is fairly good.

About a fifth of the area between the two rows of pine trees is where the garlic bulbs are planted for next year.  

Snowdrops, iris', yellow and purple crocus' and scylla are other bulbs we have planted as early flowers for the bees in the spring, which is much closer than it seems.

A sign of spring:  The nursery is on, the temperature is still a low plus two average, but the heat is now on and the seed trays are starting to hydrate in preparation for starting the onions.

Another two LED grow lights are installed, as I phase out the old CFL bulbs.  

Installing the lights is a finicky task, but its a heck of a lot warmer (and less windy) than outdoor work.  

Just in time for valentines day - an unusual red chieftain potato.  I recall harvesting this back in the fall, and it wound up in the produce share for the house.  I came across it the other day and wondered what sort of romantic meal one could possibly make with this.

Our next post will show how our onion germinating is going.