tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61287048629181122842024-03-14T00:55:28.854-03:00A British fling in Nova ScotiaFollows British couple running organic flower farm in the maritimes.Fay and Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16881851426817924810noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128704862918112284.post-91946427303496386792014-12-08T08:40:00.002-04:002014-12-08T08:40:37.652-04:00We made the moveIt was a crazy mad rush to get ourselves and the farm all packed up, but we did it and we made our way to Scotland! Apologies to those who we didn't get the chance to say good bye to before we left, it was all pretty hectic.<br />
We are thrilled to be back in the UK with friends, family and pets! Next steps... who knows?...your ideas please!<br />
Sending green blessings to all our friends in Nova Scotia and beyond, thanks so much for supporting us during our stay.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shipping all that Stuff!<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: x-large;">GOOD BYE NOVA SCOTIA XOXO</span></strong></div>
Fay and Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16881851426817924810noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128704862918112284.post-1946008951756272462014-09-29T15:05:00.000-03:002014-09-29T15:05:22.395-03:00That's all folks!Sadly this season has been the shortest ever. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AbUN_BeJwyM/VCmAU4_-BRI/AAAAAAAAA5M/XlJTbYlY2LY/s1600/web%2Bmarket2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AbUN_BeJwyM/VCmAU4_-BRI/AAAAAAAAA5M/XlJTbYlY2LY/s1600/web%2Bmarket2.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a>Not only did we start late with that awful long winter taking its time to shift but now with the frost coming 3 weeks earlier than previous years we are pretty much done and dusted with the flowers and we haven't even reached Thanks Giving.</div>
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And it's not just over for the season, our fling in Nova Scotia is over for good. </div>
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We are moving back to the UK, taking our green thumbs and fingers with us to see what adventures we can have over there.</div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;">Thanks to all our fabulous customers and friends who love our flowers, teas and herbal products. We've had a great adventure over here. We've appreciated your custom and greatly enjoyed getting to meet you all.</span></h3>
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Many thanks! (and Happy Thanksgiving)</div>
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Fay and Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16881851426817924810noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128704862918112284.post-53259558123541360412014-07-31T11:47:00.004-03:002014-07-31T11:47:52.812-03:00Update on this season's flowers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, what with a long winter, tropical storm, ravenous deer and a dry July, our flowers are certainly blooming albeit slowly. Some of the plants are understandably a bit stressed or stunted and on the whole the harvest seems to be about 2 weeks behind our "usual" schedule.<br />
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However, Jamie has been at the Halifax Seaport Market every week and will be there until Thanks Giving (frost permitting). <strong>Many thanks</strong> to our regular customers who have been delighted to see us back.<br />
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For photos of our latest flowers, I usually post these to our Facebook page because it's easier and quicker so you can keep more up to date there.The flowers from now on will just keep coming, bigger and better and more abundantly. (Fingers crossed!).<br />
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Hope you are all enjoying the summer and hope to see our Nova Scotian customers at the market soon.<br />
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Fay and Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16881851426817924810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128704862918112284.post-76950327017772624792014-07-03T11:12:00.000-03:002014-07-03T11:12:18.193-03:00Hunt the PerennialCrikey what a blinder it is this week, crazy HOT and HUMID and absolutely relentless black fly, mosquitos and horseflies biting any part of us they can sink their teeth into.<br />
So aside from all that, is anyone else out there playing<span style="color: #a64d79;"> <strong>hunt the perennial? <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous bright zinnias just coming this week</td></tr>
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What I mean is, we are surely not the only ones battling with some overly enthusiastic weeds that have just invaded everything?<br />
Here at Oliver Farm it's more a case of Hello red clover, plantain, couch grass, thistle, hawkweed, chickweed, hogweed, pig weed and so forth and <strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">Where the Hell are you all our lovely Perennials?</span></strong> Obviously the Herbalist in me is pained to rip out these wonderful so called "weeds" with such high medicinal value for us, but I'm doing it very nicely asking them all to grow somewhere else (on the other 33 acres of farm that isn't for produce). And let's not even discuss the burdock issue....it's a crazy, crazy jungle out there.<br />
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So far I have located the lavender and Hyssop, can't say the same for Veronicas and our gorgeous white fluffy perennial achillea hummm. Due to our reluctant mower am having difficulty accessing lemon balm, verbenas, globe thistles, sea holly and catnip. Sadly due to crazy winter have lost my thyme bushes and a few other favourites. <br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;">There is hope... the peonies have done it again and are just about bursting and flouncing their gorgeous fluffy poofy blooms with all this heat. Hurrah!</span></h3>
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<br />Fay and Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16881851426817924810noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128704862918112284.post-75906087967313104192014-06-25T15:01:00.000-03:002014-06-25T15:01:03.071-03:00Up and Coming at last...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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There have been many grumblings about how late the growing season is to take off this year, however, since myself and Jamie are notoriously late in everything, we are hoping to work this to our advantage!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eddie inspecting the glads</td></tr>
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We have just about got all the transplants in, gladioli planted, mulch down and seeds sown. Thanks to all the rain, as soon as our transplants get in the ground they are doubling in size. All we need now is some more heat and I am sure that will come.<br />
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We are aiming to start at Halifax Farmer's Market the first weekend in July and in the meantime I will be at Tatamagouche Farmer's Market with herb transplants, lavender bushes, our teas of course and the first bouquets. <br />
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The peonies are on their way and there are a few beautifully scented stocks and brightly coloured snap dragons to start the season off, not to mention our lovely veridiums.<br />
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As soon as there is more we will let you know.<br />
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Fay and Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16881851426817924810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128704862918112284.post-84307975744076925082014-06-12T09:03:00.000-03:002014-06-12T09:03:25.517-03:00Asparagus AbundanceWhoop, whoop we are LOVING this year's bountiful asparagus harvest. The stop-start, cold-hot sort of approach of the weather has stretched out the harvest over several weeks now and we can't express how grateful we are. Of course there are always those sorry tips that get burnt by the frost but this year it's like a jungle out there of lush asparagus forest.<br />
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We have been selling out every week at the Tatamagouche Farmer's Market so get there quick if you want to indulge in this local delight.<br />
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I myself have never been a huge asparagus fan, kind of thought it was a little over-rated as a veggie but that was before I had my OWN. So I strongly urge those of you who are not so keen to try some locally grown stuff and start growing your own and you will be transformed into a local asparagus fan.<br />
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As a garden or field crop I highly recommend you to give it a go. All you really need at first is some manure, some asparagus crowns and a whole lot of patience because it will be about 3 years before your plants will yield any sort of edible shoot of any size. Also you must be a little partial to weeding, since this is a major issue for us and all growers who don't want to spray with chemicals. It is quite disheartening to do for 3 years before actually getting something back from the plant. But I assure you it is worth it....!!!<br />
Convinced yet?<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b1GxZZrpotA/U5mUWhJ274I/AAAAAAAAA1U/qJAqhEv8I0g/s1600/webasparagus2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b1GxZZrpotA/U5mUWhJ274I/AAAAAAAAA1U/qJAqhEv8I0g/s1600/webasparagus2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Here's the recipe for the asparagus soup I have been making, was inspired by my recent visit to Spain where we ate <em>Crema de esparagus </em>in a 12th Century Monastery. Ideally for this you would use some very thin straggly (rejects) spears of asparagus that aren't thick enough to use on their own as a vegetable. You will have access to lots these if you grow your own or know someone who does. Of course you can use the regular asparagus spears, that's if you can bear to chop up such a beautiful vegetable!<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
Easy Peasy Asparagus soup:</h3>
<br />
<ul>
<li>In a heavy based pan melt a couple of tablespoons of butter and add 1\2 a chopped onion or a couple of chopped leeks, allow these to soften in the butter.</li>
<li>Then add a chopped, peeled potato and 4 cups water, lots of salt and pepper.</li>
<li>Bring to the boil and simmer for 15 mins.</li>
<li>Then add 1 pound of chopped asparagus - use the straggly thin spears (see above).</li>
<li>Boil for another 5 mins.</li>
<li>Blitz with a hand blender until smooth, you could sieve it but honestly who has time for that?</li>
<li>Check the seasoning and when you serve swirl in some cream for extra creaminess.</li>
</ul>
<strong>ENJOY!</strong><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Now must get back to transplanting or there will be no flowers this summer!</strong></div>
<strong></strong><br />
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<br />Fay and Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16881851426817924810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128704862918112284.post-50872066039193997432014-05-14T12:09:00.000-03:002014-05-14T12:09:28.635-03:00Mini-me seedlings - Can you ID me?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cKUarELUU9c/U3J5GmLWB1I/AAAAAAAAAzM/sm5bEsjWy5A/s1600/web+farm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cKUarELUU9c/U3J5GmLWB1I/AAAAAAAAAzM/sm5bEsjWy5A/s1600/web+farm.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
At last with this taste of sunshine and warmth the landscape is turning green and seedlings are growing. We love it when they start growing their first true leaves because they really start to take shape as miniatures of themselves. See if you can ID any of the following, answers are below.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rrr6_biCV70/U3J5kG4WegI/AAAAAAAAAzc/KQYzVZwDo_M/s1600/web+cilantro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rrr6_biCV70/U3J5kG4WegI/AAAAAAAAAzc/KQYzVZwDo_M/s1600/web+cilantro.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lJUFnqinGDE/U3J5SZ4EtMI/AAAAAAAAAzY/o4H6sOp-ook/s1600/web+basil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lJUFnqinGDE/U3J5SZ4EtMI/AAAAAAAAAzY/o4H6sOp-ook/s1600/web+basil.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ga2uBi1B8sY/U3J5muUj_iI/AAAAAAAAAzk/Ei_3Cm13AmM/s1600/web+dianthus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ga2uBi1B8sY/U3J5muUj_iI/AAAAAAAAAzk/Ei_3Cm13AmM/s1600/web+dianthus.jpg" height="320" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">C</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iEFVV6peyuc/U3J5pdB_gbI/AAAAAAAAAzs/lUsTnwVFuTI/s1600/web+leeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iEFVV6peyuc/U3J5pdB_gbI/AAAAAAAAAzs/lUsTnwVFuTI/s1600/web+leeks.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">D ... this one is easy right?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YpicFhZ6mV4/U3J5r8Qy3fI/AAAAAAAAAz0/QRY3RZcCkm8/s1600/web+parsley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YpicFhZ6mV4/U3J5r8Qy3fI/AAAAAAAAAz0/QRY3RZcCkm8/s1600/web+parsley.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">E </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_vZ4YHkgxrg/U3J5uIOnIPI/AAAAAAAAAz8/sX7UlN2UeFk/s1600/web+snaps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_vZ4YHkgxrg/U3J5uIOnIPI/AAAAAAAAAz8/sX7UlN2UeFk/s1600/web+snaps.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">F</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sxFBDzjIB8M/U3J5w3dkxUI/AAAAAAAAA0E/A5GupmqW8xY/s1600/web+nasturtium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sxFBDzjIB8M/U3J5w3dkxUI/AAAAAAAAA0E/A5GupmqW8xY/s1600/web+nasturtium.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">G </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A751074vUtE/U3J50ALgcTI/AAAAAAAAA0M/9EyvPas0kcw/s1600/web+feverfew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A751074vUtE/U3J50ALgcTI/AAAAAAAAA0M/9EyvPas0kcw/s1600/web+feverfew.jpg" height="320" width="284" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">H</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QSEQb4Hawa0/U3J52znIhCI/AAAAAAAAA0U/PJbFFOJErOQ/s1600/web+red+basil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QSEQb4Hawa0/U3J52znIhCI/AAAAAAAAA0U/PJbFFOJErOQ/s1600/web+red+basil.jpg" height="299" width="320" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Answers as follows:<br />
A: Cilantro/Coriander<br />
B:Basil<br />
C: Stocks<br />
D: Leeks<br />
E: Curly Parsley <br />
F:Snap Dragons<br />
G:Nasturtiums<br />
H: Feverfew<br />
I: Purple Basil<br />
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<b>So... How did you do?</b>Fay and Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16881851426817924810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128704862918112284.post-48996592637024249362014-04-30T12:42:00.002-03:002014-04-30T12:42:45.808-03:00Top 10 spring jobs on the farm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GAUAYpOQ0lQ/TXT0YbqtYpI/AAAAAAAAAEo/0Vq1bWZ1N-8/s1600/seedsweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GAUAYpOQ0lQ/TXT0YbqtYpI/AAAAAAAAAEo/0Vq1bWZ1N-8/s1600/seedsweb.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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BRRRR well it still feels too cold to be spring but pretty much all the snow has melted so if we pretend it's spring then maybe the daffodils will consider opening and we can crack on and get stuff in the ground.</div>
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Spring isn't the only thing that is behind schedule this year, here are some of the jobs that we are still getting done (which really ought to have been done by now!)</div>
<ol>
<li>Clean out greenhouse - Wait for a nice bright day, open it up, sweep it out, wash dirty trays and generally have a good tidy up to get ready for the season.</li>
<li>Keep on sowing and transplanting - there is still time to order seeds if things aren't going too well.</li>
<li>Order potting soil, compost and worm castings</li>
<li>Check over all fruit trees for pest damage, prune vines if you haven't already done so.</li>
<li>Check over all perennials regularly as they come up to see whether or not they made it! Think about those that need dividing and moving.</li>
<li>Keep clear of the pond so as not to disturb the ducks</li>
<li>Keep dogs away from skunks and muskrats!</li>
<li>Check the garlic patch to make sure the green shoots are popping up</li>
<li>Enjoy the spring bulbs</li>
<li>Sow sweet peas as soon as you can get on the soil! They are so worth it!</li>
</ol>
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<br />Fay and Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16881851426817924810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128704862918112284.post-54129248694275812212014-04-17T09:30:00.001-03:002014-04-17T09:30:36.501-03:00How to grow your own Wedding Flowers: Part 2<h4>
Most important thing about local flowers...</h4>
Before we get carried away choosing any flowers, you must check <strong>when</strong> they are expected to bloom. This is crucial for your wedding to go as planned. You need your plant to be at the height of its blooming for your wedding day, some biennials won't bloom until the second year! So always check and double check flowering time. Check this <a href="http://onthefarminnovascotia.blogspot.ca/p/what-flowers-when.html" target="_blank">flower page</a> for an idea of what flowers are available when in Nova Scotia.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RTC1EABEwqs/U0_IyQp02LI/AAAAAAAAAyw/sPCAFI1Tt8g/s1600/web+eddy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RTC1EABEwqs/U0_IyQp02LI/AAAAAAAAAyw/sPCAFI1Tt8g/s1600/web+eddy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eddie asleep on seed catalogue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
Favourite Easy (ish) to grow Flowers for Summer Weddings</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>Gladioli</strong> - tall and simply stunning, more expensive than most seeds that's because they come as bulbs and you simply dig a large trench and plop them in. There are some awesome colours out there too as well as Wedding white. Perhaps too large for a wedding bouquet, but will surely make dramatic arrangements with height.</li>
<li><strong>Snapdragons</strong> - Hardy and one of the earliest flowers in Nova Scotia. Come in a variety of colours and bloom all summer long too so there is bound to be something that matches your colour scheme. Many nurseries grow these so you may be able to buy plants rather than growing from seed. But check they are not dwarf varieties, because you won't get decent stem length.</li>
<li><strong>Sunflowers</strong> - why not? Easy to grow and everybody loves them. They come in a fantastic array of colours from chocolate to peach to lemon yellow.</li>
<li><strong>Zinnias</strong> - Come in a variety of colours and sizes and some even look very dahlia-esque. Many nurseries grow these so you may be able to buy plants rather than growing from seed. But check they are not dwarf varieties, because you won't get decent stem length.</li>
<li><strong>Cornflowers / Bachelors Buttons</strong> - For me this is the best blue flower around, simple, elegant, stems can be cut long for dramatic arrangements or mini for posies. Best started from Direct seeding, which is kind of annoying because of the weeding involved! but it is worth the effort (get Mum and Dad to do it!).</li>
<li><strong>Salvia</strong> - Not an impressive bloom but a great filler that comes in a variety of colours like white, pink, purple and even red. Again can be found in nurseries so you could just buy a plant but do check it's a cutting variety.</li>
<li><strong>Statice</strong> - A great filler, keeps going all summer, comes in loads of bright colours and has a long vase life. Also keeps its colour when dried if you like to keep your bouquet.</li>
<li><strong>Sweet peas</strong> - If you want fragrance and old-fashioned beauty then these are a must. They are hardy so can be put in the ground early. </li>
<li><strong>Lilies</strong> - Well, these require a bit more planning, since they need to get in the ground in October the year before your wedding. Some associate them with funerals but I think they are great and easy to grow which is a bonus. But always check when they will bloom, they have a tendency to just explode, way before you really want them to.</li>
</ul>
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<ul><h3>
Also worth considering</h3>
<li>Local grasses and wild flowers like Brown eyed Susans, daisies, cat tails, willow branches etc. Some of these don't have a great vase life but you can certainly use them for one day!</li>
<li><strong>Perennials</strong> - you might not have your own well established garden, but may know someone who does. Here you will find roses, peonies, sea holly, globe thistle, lilies, alliums, hostas, astilbe etc. Obviously ask permission before you get harvesting!</li>
<li><strong>Herbs</strong> - Many varieties of herb can add unusual flair to bouquets, look at basil, parsley, feverfew, garlic scapes, wormwood, rosemary, bee balm and even mint to name a few.</li>
</ul>
If you still love the idea of local flowers for your wedding but don't think you've got the time or energy then take a look <a href="http://onthefarminnovascotia.blogspot.ca/p/wedding-flowers.html" target="_blank">here</a> to see what services Oliver Farm can provide. Contact us with questions through the contact form on the left hand side of the blog or find us on Facebook by searching for Oliver Farm Botanicals.<br />
<h3>
</h3>
Fay and Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16881851426817924810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128704862918112284.post-12795103941552633462014-04-10T10:08:00.000-03:002014-04-10T10:08:18.037-03:00How to grow your own Wedding Flowers: Part 1Here are a few points to consider when deciding whether or not to grow your own flowers for your wedding this summer.<br />
If you prefer someone else to do the work for you, check out our new <a href="http://onthefarminnovascotia.blogspot.ca/p/wedding-flowers.html" target="_blank">Wedding Flowers</a> page.<br />
<ul>
<li><h3>
Have you got the space, the tools and the time?</h3>
</li>
</ul>
<h4>
Space</h4>
You won't need much outside space, of course it depends on how many flowers you really need. Bear in mind that we grow flowers to supply our local community and the Halifax Market the whole summer long on not much more than 1 acre. <br />
You will need to work out how you are going to dig up your plot, if you haven't already. Have you already got a rota tiller or are you prepared to double dig by hand?<br />
<br />
<h4>
Tools</h4>
So space and preparing the soil may not be an issue, however, you will require a few essential tools like spades, forks, trowels, secateurs and watering cans, and more importantly be willing to get your hands dirty. The list is endless of course, to get great results you might want to splash out on mulch, landscape fabric, organic liquid feed, worm castings.. can discuss these in a later post but you get my drift. You can borrow tools but I normally find that if I need it so does the person I am borrowing from so it can get tricky.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Time</h4>
That leaves us with a crucial decision maker or breaker... you've certainly got the willingness, but have you really got the time? To get the best results from flowers we suggest lots of tender loving care. Plus, they all need to be started <strong>now</strong>, in fact we started seeding some of our fancy blooms in February. So you need to get your skates on selecting and perhaps sowing seeds asap! Maybe you have a friend with a greenhouse which is perfect, or maybe you like plants in your living space (I have no choice in the matter and do not really recommend this option... it's a bit of a drag!).<br />
Everything starts to go out in the ground after the last frost date has past. In Nova Scotia, this means you will need time around the end of May/early to mid June to get all your transplants in the ground or to direct seed.<br />
Once in the ground, sadly it's not just a case of letting them get on with it and returning to them to harvest a week before your wedding. If your plants are growing well then so will your weeds, this is where mulch does come in handy, but usually there is nothing better than getting down on your hands and knees and pulling out the weeds as they come up. You will also need to be harvesting flowers and dead heading the plants to encourage their growth right up to the time that you require them. Furthermore, since Mother Nature is rather unpredictable you may also need to regularly get out there with your watering can and make sure everything is well watered. You will also need time and energy to protect your plants from the sun and wind, not to mention invasions of bugs, deer and even neighbouring cats.<br />
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<br />
If any of these points are causing your enthusiasm for home grown Wedding Flowers to wane, then all is not lost, if you can enlist a friend, a parent or greenhouse grower then they might be able to do the work for you, in which case all you need to do is decide which flowers to grow. Check out the Wedding Services we provide <a href="http://onthefarminnovascotia.blogspot.ca/p/wedding-flowers.html" target="_blank">here</a><br />
<br />
<h3>
Final considerations to plan for success</h3>
<br />
<ul>
<li>When are you planning on harvesting your flowers?</li>
<li>Where are you going to store your harvested blooms?</li>
<li>Who is going to arrange them for you? - don't underestimate the time this takes!</li>
<li><strong>Have you got a plan B? </strong>There are no guarantees when it comes to growing your own so have a back-up plan in place to avoid last minute stresses.</li>
</ul>
My second post will cover how to choose which flowers to grow for your wedding.<br />
<br />
If you don't want to grow your own flowers but would still like local flower for your wedding, contact us using the contact form on the left hand side. Check out our <a href="http://onthefarminnovascotia.blogspot.ca/p/wedding-flowers.html" target="_blank">Wedding Flowers page</a> which explains the services we can provide.<br />
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<br />Fay and Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16881851426817924810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128704862918112284.post-30922799869581786092014-04-03T12:28:00.000-03:002014-04-03T12:30:29.405-03:00Veggies and flowers for local folkWe're so excited to be teaming up with the CSA veg box from Waldegrave Farm this summer. This means that local folk who already subscribe to receive delicious veggies weekly from Waldegrave Farm can now also sign up to receive a bunch of our lovely flowers this summer along with their vegetables.<br />
For more info contact Cammie the brains behind the operation. You can find her here <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Waldegrave-Farm/240078696004626" target="_blank">Waldegrave Farm Facebook page </a><br />
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<br />Fay and Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16881851426817924810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128704862918112284.post-17096044999089753792014-03-28T12:36:00.000-03:002014-03-28T12:36:35.373-03:00How to think about seeding when all this snow is around?Jamie flew back from the UK yesterday to be faced with mountains of snow from Wednesday's freak March blizzard. The snow was blowing like crazy and I only just got the car out by following behind the snow plough but there was no chance of us driving back in. It was all we could do but laugh at the ridiculous amount of snow that had drifted into our lane so we abandoned the car and trekked over the snow drifts on foot. <br />
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Needless to say, time he had hoped to spend on seeding is now taken up with snow blowing. It doesn't really seem like we will ever get started this year. With chilly weather like this it's easy to think that things will never warm up enough to get the grass growing, let alone some gorgeous flowers. Even though we know it will come eventually, we are feeling a little impatient now, so bring on Spring, please. <br />
Fay and Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16881851426817924810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128704862918112284.post-64587908435945035932014-03-20T17:19:00.003-03:002014-03-20T17:19:39.274-03:00So much for Spring...Ok so please can it stop now? I think it is now officially spring and yet we are still enduring snow and freezing rain today. Is this Winter's final home run before handing over to green and pleasant (warmer!) Spring Time? Really hope that sort of thing can happen over night because we, along with most of Nova Scotia are low on dry fire wood and have had enough of feeling chilly. Roll on long summer days (but hold off on the bugs...)Fay and Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16881851426817924810noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128704862918112284.post-68072793392612130432013-12-29T16:11:00.001-04:002013-12-29T16:11:54.462-04:00Christmas goodies, oh and snow of course...lots of itWe haven't harvested any flowers since our Thanks Giving finale but that doesn't mean to say we haven't been creative so now we are enjoying putting our feet up. Though clearly Jamie is doing slightly more of this than I am (he has broken his foot and is on crutches).<br />
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As you know Farmer's don't really ever stop producing... so after a brief pause we faithfully returned to the markets and craft fairs with our teas, herbal salves, culinary seasoning, tinctures, flower essences and new this year - Massage Candles. Jamie's wooden ornaments and awesome dried flower baubles were the first to sell out. It was great to have so many customers returning for their favourite things.</div>
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Christmas has been a snowy affair. Not so great for someone on crutches (Jamie) guess who is doing the shovelling (Fay). It's all a lovely winter wonderland, the snow covers a multitude of sins (jobs that never got finished, yards that didn't get cleared, fields overgrown with weeds etc..). It's definitely time to take a break as another great year comes to an end.</div>
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Fay and Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16881851426817924810noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128704862918112284.post-12018647683826938432013-11-26T16:56:00.001-04:002013-11-26T16:56:15.153-04:00New look for the van...The balmy temperatures of the autumn gave us a wonderful false sense of time-security.. ie. we weren't necessarily rushing to clean up the farm and tie up all the loose and broken ends remaining after the summer madness because it felt like the warmth would last forever. Jamie however, stepped up to one of the challenges that had been hanging over our heads all summer. Working with a friend, they succeeding in patching up the body work on our Mystery Machine and generally getting it road-worthy and more comfortable once again. So now, it resembles more of an A Team type van rather than the Scooby Doo mobile that we are so famous for. It's a shadow of its former self, but who are we kidding, still totally recognisable and obviously us! Needless to say Jamie has had his fill of old rusty vehicles for a while.<br />
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Will add a picture of it in its full newly sprayed glory soon..<br />
Fay and Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16881851426817924810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128704862918112284.post-73701496796257792712013-09-12T11:21:00.001-03:002013-09-12T11:21:10.595-03:00Summer flies byIn a blur of colour, hazy summer heat and incredible blooms, our Nova Scotia summer has flown by. The growing season has been great and fingers crossed we can continue this third season of production up untilThanks Giving Weekend (providing there is no frost). <br />
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August was most definitely a month for weddings and we've even got a few this autumn (seriously we do have our fingers crossed). Our flowers have been spreading joy across Nova Scotia in the South Shore, the Valley, Halifax, Pictou, New Glasgow and of course locally in Tatamagouche. <br />
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Despite all the busy harvesting and flower arranging, we did manage to take a long weekend break to St Andrews in New Brunswick camping in the attention grabbing purple and white van. This involved lots of seafood, sunbathing, swimming, whale watching and wine and was only slightly dampened by Bertie's encounter with a skunk on the first night...We both had total sense of humour failure but soon grew accustomed to the whiff, doubt we were at all popular with other campers though.</div>
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Updating the blog or taking photos cease to be a priority when harvest is in full swing but the Oliver Farm Botanicals Facebook page usually has a few up to date photos on it. The ones here are some August highlights...though suddenly realised we are mid-way through September and fall is in the air...how did that happen? </div>
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<br />Fay and Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16881851426817924810noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128704862918112284.post-57218549909570130332013-07-15T13:31:00.000-03:002013-07-15T13:31:28.451-03:00Hot summer colour ... the daily grindSo it goes something like this... up at 6am...stretch and groan...lather up with sun cream...go pick flowers...cool down in the river, squash cucumber beetles with ferocity, back to farm house for hot tea and breakfast... mull over the plan for the day (an excuse to be inside in the cool) .... go weed something...then go transplant something ... water greenhouse...laugh at dogs being idiotic ...retreat to cool for lunch and rehydrate .. check email ... get annoyed about something on email / facebook / the internet in general ... fiddle around with rusty machinery... weed something else, panic harvest some blooms that didn't seem ready this morning but have now exploded, retreat to the cooler and organise buckets of flowers, wash buckets (getting as wet as possible to cool down), swat a few horse flies, check out the devastation by those pesky deer, root around in the veggie garden for something green and odd shaped for supper, munch on a few peas, maybe even a tomato, chat to neighbours, grumble at those on dirt-bikes... fiddle around with the poly tunnel until satisfied, cool down and clean up in the river (again), have supper, find a cold beer, put feet up, apply Fay's herbal potions to bites, stings, sun burn, splinters and aching muscles...write to-do-urgent list... fall asleep...<br />
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Fay and Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16881851426817924810noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128704862918112284.post-25584419259523520682013-06-06T22:35:00.000-03:002013-06-06T22:35:44.122-03:00June BloomsIt's warm and sunny (and buggy of course) and hard not to get excited (and exhausted) about getting the garden in. For the last week or so Jeanne from Quebec has been staying with us helping Jamie transplant out our flowers, lay mulch, direct seed and weed our lovely perennial flowers, raspberries and blackberries.<br />
It's a joy to be stopped in our tracks by the heady scent of lilac and quite beautiful to see apples and our wondrous hawthorn trees in bloom. <br />
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Blooming gorgeous is an under-statement!</div>
The rare red lupins which we seeded last year are just about coming into bloom, they seem to be earlier than the blue/pink/purple ones which you usually see here at the end of June, the yellow ones (also unusual) are not long behind them.<br />
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I've started making flower essences and finishing blending some herbal extracts so they will be available for sale soon. (Well that is my excuse for buying decent brandy!)<br />
We've even managed to make time and shift the gigantic pile of soil which was dumped outside the kitchen window for the last 2 years!!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4NU2GjmbLKk/UbEI6-xWjuI/AAAAAAAAApo/iVknsxI-Vxk/s1600/web+soil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4NU2GjmbLKk/UbEI6-xWjuI/AAAAAAAAApo/iVknsxI-Vxk/s320/web+soil.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We're feeling a bit sun-kissed and bug bitten but morale is high!<br />
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Fay and Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16881851426817924810noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128704862918112284.post-71439127202443182012013-05-19T22:28:00.001-03:002013-05-19T22:28:50.866-03:00May sunshine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k5e2g58E4ao/UZlsA23XxbI/AAAAAAAAAoo/H1ffTpal20Y/s1600/web+gorgeous.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k5e2g58E4ao/UZlsA23XxbI/AAAAAAAAAoo/H1ffTpal20Y/s1600/web+gorgeous.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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We've just said goodbye to our first volunteer wwoofers of the season, Anna and Franz. It was great to have the extra pairs of hands to help out as we begin to tackle the long list of spring tasks ahead of us and thanks to them I now have one new raised bed (it only took 3 years!)<br />
Thankfully we got hold of a load of good sh*t, it's dark and dirty and our plants are going to love it! (Worm castings from <a href="http://growinggreenearthwormcastings.com/" target="_blank">Growing green earthworm castings</a> will be delivered soon).<br />
Over the last two weeks, Jamie has tilled, we've mulched, spread muck, transplanted a few hardy kales and veggies, sown some grains and whatever else we felt like risking. I've been weeding our perennial beds and it's good to see Echinops, Eryngium, Phlox, Veronicas, Peonies, Achillea, Motherwort, Catnip, Vervain, Lavendars and other herbs beginning to grow once more. I've put the dandelions to good use and have a batch of home brew bottled and wine in the making.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YyB83uTClZY/UZlrUZIGjlI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/tQjJeny5m-s/s1600/web+sowing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YyB83uTClZY/UZlrUZIGjlI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/tQjJeny5m-s/s1600/web+sowing.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_t47cFrQBDc/UZlrkoqeUWI/AAAAAAAAAoY/pRS4DYbdnAM/s1600/web+dandy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_t47cFrQBDc/UZlrkoqeUWI/AAAAAAAAAoY/pRS4DYbdnAM/s1600/web+dandy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The polytunnel is almost behaving itself and is full with snaps, stocks, clarkia and larkspur.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bf9jlph__i0/UZlrya1n-sI/AAAAAAAAAog/JzOFIbv47ig/s1600/web+tunnel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bf9jlph__i0/UZlrya1n-sI/AAAAAAAAAog/JzOFIbv47ig/s1600/web+tunnel.jpg" height="227" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our transplants are simply desperate to get out of the greenhouse and into the field so as soon as we've got past this cold spell we will be transplanting as fast as we can.<br />
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General feeling is good, and grass is growing like crazy, trees actually have leaves on and we've even got some blossom.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OAV4ShMNGcw/UZlsO0Y7_kI/AAAAAAAAAow/zJkWkJiaG2g/s1600/web+maple+tree2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OAV4ShMNGcw/UZlsO0Y7_kI/AAAAAAAAAow/zJkWkJiaG2g/s1600/web+maple+tree2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
Bertie is the only one sulking since Franz was a rather impressive thrower of sticks and she is missing him like mad.<br />
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<br />Fay and Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16881851426817924810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128704862918112284.post-58533451141190381402013-05-09T08:23:00.002-03:002013-05-09T08:23:39.723-03:00Green and growingAmazing how time can fly when the sun is shining, the grass is green and the leaves have just about appeared on the trees. Our list of jobs to do just gets longer and longer, luckily so do the days and we are falling into bed tired out with a few items ticked off the list.<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tjwLwcEebJ8/UYuG87nyGuI/AAAAAAAAAn0/j6veJnvaHBc/s1600/web+teddy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tjwLwcEebJ8/UYuG87nyGuI/AAAAAAAAAn0/j6veJnvaHBc/s400/web+teddy.jpg" width="400" /></a>The garlic is growing up through its cosy bed of winter mulch, as is the asparagus, the daffodils, hyacinth and muscari are in bloom and we have given our raspberries a little prune in the hope that this year we will have berries!<br />
Our little green house is almost over-flowing with flower seedlings that are desperate to be transplanted, however we are not fooled by this wave of warm weather, we are holding off a little longer just in case night temperatures plummet once more.<br />
A week ago Jamie was able to finally till up some beds which was a great relief so has begun spreading compost and direct seeding. This of course means the chickens are back behind bars much to their disgust and are serenading us with their chorus of disapproval.<br />
Yesterday, following several unsuccessful attempts over the last few weeks, Jamie managed to get the plastic back over the poly tunnel, so fingers crossed it will stay put this time.<br />
All in all, green is good and it feels exciting to get our hands in the dirt once more.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3bMRLVndlAc/UYuF66EESVI/AAAAAAAAAno/tm4kzgkCJ1Y/s1600/web+fire+drum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3bMRLVndlAc/UYuF66EESVI/AAAAAAAAAno/tm4kzgkCJ1Y/s320/web+fire+drum.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drumming by our Beltaine fire</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7M_pOebf-rg/UYuFSnHhFeI/AAAAAAAAAng/Y6LcoJgaeS0/s1600/Bday+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7M_pOebf-rg/UYuFSnHhFeI/AAAAAAAAAng/Y6LcoJgaeS0/s320/Bday+cake.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jamie's very delicious, very chocolatey birthday cake<br />
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Fay and Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16881851426817924810noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128704862918112284.post-40715459844349510492013-04-12T10:12:00.002-03:002013-04-12T10:12:36.685-03:00The Passage of time<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now that the river has thawed out and most of the snow disappeared we can
walk along the banks and see the latest changes in the river: some meanders
have been widened , new swimming holes dugout and old ones filled in (think
we'll wait before we jump in and find out where..) and the cliffs a little more eroded,
no doubt leaving behind some more fossils.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tclFiF5fDBU/UWdhn1n0pgI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/jrKO7d2x0-c/s1600/webRiverErosion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tclFiF5fDBU/UWdhn1n0pgI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/jrKO7d2x0-c/s320/webRiverErosion.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trees desperately hanging on.</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A generation ago the field was a beautiful
pasture for grazing cattle, and there is still find some barbed wire fencing
alongside the river. The wire is now only held up where it has grown into tree
trunks, and much of the fencing has long ago disappeared over the cliff
edge into the river or been buried by the undergrowth.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tRmNsxF9ROE/UWgHPL1yL1I/AAAAAAAAAnM/g-rjjWZjN1s/s1600/webBarbedWireFencing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tRmNsxF9ROE/UWgHPL1yL1I/AAAAAAAAAnM/g-rjjWZjN1s/s320/webBarbedWireFencing.jpg" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barbed wire growing through the tree</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The field was then left to regenerate with
spruce and pine trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where one
generation broke its back to turn a forest into a pasture, another wished to
turn the grassland back into forest to make up for deforestation elsewhere. We
then arrive and decide to clear much of it in order to turn it back to farmland, this time for raspberry and cut-flower production. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qd0nPHr-AEg/UWdoEP1PlpI/AAAAAAAAAm0/YyNhPssSw9Q/s1600/webClearingField.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qd0nPHr-AEg/UWdoEP1PlpI/AAAAAAAAAm0/YyNhPssSw9Q/s320/webClearingField.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clearing the field in May 2010</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ut8d0hhUzGo/UWdoeMguLDI/AAAAAAAAAm8/6S_7YqB7rPQ/s1600/webIntervalField.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ut8d0hhUzGo/UWdoeMguLDI/AAAAAAAAAm8/6S_7YqB7rPQ/s320/webIntervalField.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Today: Rows of raspberries & blackberries</td></tr>
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Meanwhile the <span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">wildlife just carries on adapting as us
humans try to make up our minds as to what to do with the land that we have
taken on as custodians</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So the eagles soar above, coyotes and bears watch from the woods (most
of the time..), and the deer just keep on helping themselves to whatever we
grow.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o1CS9CX7b3g/UWdhvV5z9_I/AAAAAAAAAmk/U_atFLrdgFk/s1600/webCoyoteScat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o1CS9CX7b3g/UWdhvV5z9_I/AAAAAAAAAmk/U_atFLrdgFk/s320/webCoyoteScat.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coyote scat</td></tr>
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Fay and Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16881851426817924810noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128704862918112284.post-55820081772832595152013-04-05T11:08:00.000-03:002013-04-05T11:08:34.746-03:00Spring has arrived.... properly this time.<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">With the advent of
some sun, we can now actually believe that spring has arrived in reality and
not just in theory. The first day of real sunshine meant some serious spring
cleaning of both the sunroom and the greenhouse, so both have been put to good
use already:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UY_yuajvqnE/UV4tCF9cGmI/AAAAAAAAAlI/9yM_ROoP-E4/s1600/webRelax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UY_yuajvqnE/UV4tCF9cGmI/AAAAAAAAAlI/9yM_ROoP-E4/s320/webRelax.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bertie would actually much rather be out chasing the chickens...</td></tr>
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The arrival of some sun has meant we can start using the greenhouse:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-okQZd6bvNdE/UV7ZcuxfhtI/AAAAAAAAAlw/OyIDxkCOhkQ/s1600/webGhouseHotBed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-okQZd6bvNdE/UV7ZcuxfhtI/AAAAAAAAAlw/OyIDxkCOhkQ/s320/webGhouseHotBed.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot bed number 2</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YrS6TcHkEkw/UV7ad6ORspI/AAAAAAAAAmA/qt-eUwaaohA/s1600/webGhouseTent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YrS6TcHkEkw/UV7ad6ORspI/AAAAAAAAAmA/qt-eUwaaohA/s320/webGhouseTent.jpg" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hotbed covered at night as its been dropping to -6 degrees C</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I hadn’t realised how
much I’d missed the sun, but now that the bears
are out of hibernation, the deer are moving about and the sun is shining I actually feel like I’m
also ready for the new season.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tfPgXKbi5mQ/UV4wqNlRWcI/AAAAAAAAAlg/IdrgMhDeZ2M/s1600/webChicks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="259" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tfPgXKbi5mQ/UV4wqNlRWcI/AAAAAAAAAlg/IdrgMhDeZ2M/s320/webChicks.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chickens are happy too....</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span> </div>
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<o:p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">This season we're planning to ‘work smarter, not harder’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
We</span>’ve been putting that into practice with the maple syrup
processing:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>using a cleaned out backpack
fertiliser sprayer to collect and haul the sap rather than lugging buckets around –
much easier; waiting till the morning to collect the sap so that I can throw
out the outer layer of ice which has a much lower sugar content – saving time
and wood during the boiling process; and using the stove in the sunroom (with both doors open for ventilation) so that we're not only boiling sap but heating an area we can also use for seeding.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Time to head off now to make hay while the sun shines....</span></div>
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Fay and Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16881851426817924810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128704862918112284.post-11793143697072518952013-03-25T15:44:00.000-03:002013-03-25T15:44:17.753-03:00Our indoor seed bedSince we don't have a heated greenhouse, at this time of year when the weather is still chilly and very temperamental, we start all our seedlings inside (the house!). <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l_aiagLapTg/UUSlWRxh3aI/AAAAAAAAAkY/W6bAIBYRXJU/s1600/web+seed+bed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l_aiagLapTg/UUSlWRxh3aI/AAAAAAAAAkY/W6bAIBYRXJU/s320/web+seed+bed.jpg" width="254" /></a></div>
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Our initial seed bed is literally a bed with mattress removed and replaced with a layer of plastic, insulating bubble wrap, sand and our heating cable/mat.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WLt1CmUtF8A/UUSlbVtcOZI/AAAAAAAAAkg/Uu9NFhc6IKY/s1600/seed+bed+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WLt1CmUtF8A/UUSlbVtcOZI/AAAAAAAAAkg/Uu9NFhc6IKY/s320/seed+bed+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KZ3-H2RsW18/UUSlfVRqR4I/AAAAAAAAAko/psESqIkRBD8/s1600/seed+bed3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KZ3-H2RsW18/UUSlfVRqR4I/AAAAAAAAAko/psESqIkRBD8/s320/seed+bed3.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
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This bed holds only about 9 seed trays but that is still 2,700 seedlings at one time (over 30,000 flowers)....When it starts getting a little warmer, we also make a similar seed bed outside in the propagation greenhouse..</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RiK6jo7CZ38/UVCYpOWzgzI/AAAAAAAAAk4/YL_7zQA_Dq4/s1600/WebSeedlings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RiK6jo7CZ38/UVCYpOWzgzI/AAAAAAAAAk4/YL_7zQA_Dq4/s320/WebSeedlings.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Some of the first flower seedlings are ready for the next stage; transplanting into larger soil-blocks. This is when we really start using a lot of space as each of the 300 mini-blocks in the initial trays is transplanted into trays of just 36 larger soil-blocks... so 1 tray turns into 8.....</div>
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Best get making those soil-blocks.</div>
Fay and Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16881851426817924810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128704862918112284.post-42473591846300384692013-03-16T13:49:00.001-03:002013-03-16T13:49:35.133-03:00Tapping time...delicious!The skies are blue, the sap has been running, so Jamie has started his annual workout (ie. hauling buckets of sap from the bottom field up to the house for boiling). The stove is cranked up and fingers crossed we will have some delicious syrup soon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vbr6UgZ4Ydo/UUShHUuqouI/AAAAAAAAAj4/7CDNiYrR20Y/s1600/web+sipping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vbr6UgZ4Ydo/UUShHUuqouI/AAAAAAAAAj4/7CDNiYrR20Y/s400/web+sipping.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just testing....</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stove cranked up</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-saucwcJfCNQ/UUShOzKIyQI/AAAAAAAAAkI/8UnHYqWM70M/s1600/web+syrup+on+stove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-saucwcJfCNQ/UUShOzKIyQI/AAAAAAAAAkI/8UnHYqWM70M/s320/web+syrup+on+stove.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">slowly boiling down!!</td></tr>
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Fay and Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16881851426817924810noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128704862918112284.post-1346728504228953572013-02-12T13:57:00.001-04:002013-02-12T13:57:20.467-04:00Snow? Ha HaWell it seems news of this recent snow storm reached far and wide - thanks for thinking of us. We just hunkered down inside and watched while it all piled up around us. Certainly was the most snow all in one go that have ever seen in my life.<br />
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Didn't dare start shovelling or blowing a pathway out until yesterday because the wind was just drifting it in all the wrong places. <br />
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Took Jamie several man hours to get the struggling tractor through some parts of the driveway which were up to his waist.<br />
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Now, 24 hours later rain is just pelting down sending it all into a soggy state of mush. Good job I have seed catalogues to keep me busy.<br />
Fay and Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16881851426817924810noreply@blogger.com0