The Last Big Job of the Year: Tulips

Thanks to some very good, albeit strange, friends we just finished the last big job of the year.  Last Friday we received the second half of 30,000 tulip bulbs.  Our good friends showed up early Saturday morning and we kicked butt.

Kath (super volunteer/employee of the year) and Brenda (good good friend) planted back to back in raised beds, a very good way to become fast friends.  

While observing our labors a neighbor once commented that we did "low" work--this is the lowest.   It takes hours and hours and many hands to place bulbs in row...

...after row, after row.

 We all get a little crazy after a couple of hours in the "trenches".

Then there is the back-breaking job of covering the beds.  Shannon, dear insane friend, hauled bag after bag of soil mix.  She was unstoppable--well, except for the occasional photo.

It's a big dirty job but after a few months rest we go from this...




to this...

and this!

Now we can truly rest.  Thanks again to our dedicated crew.

Split Personality

I went a little crazy this season.  Keeping up with production, sales, blogging, menopause and everything else I got a bit scattered.  I enjoy being the Renaissance Gal but is difficult being all things to all people.  In an effort to create a little separation between farm life and creative life a few changes are needed.
First, a new blog dedicated to artwork, Bindweed Studio, another dedicated to all things delicious, Bindweed Kitchen and a new look and name for this blog, Bindweed Farm.  Here is the place to keep up with news on the farm, planting, harvesting and of course weekly posts on what's fresh.

Bindweed Studio is a place to share artwork and connect to the world visually in creative ways.  A stop at Bindweed Kitchen is like sitting down at my table where I serve up recipes, chit-chat and Bindweed-sized portions of good things to eat.   I invite you to visit my new blogs and hope you will follow me there as well.

Here's to new beginnings.

What's Fresh Sept. 17, 2012

We caught a surprise frost early this week and lost many of the annuals, most notably the zinnias.  Consequently we are left with the perennials and some hearty sunflowers.

Asclepias orange

Black-eyed Susans

 Indigo Spires

This photo does not do it justice, I was trying to illustrate just how beautiful and tall these babies are.  The row is 200 ft. long and about five feet wide and the spires themselves are four to five feet tall.  What a show they make, just gorgeous.

Lysimachia "Firecracker"

Miscanthus

This elegant bronze head is a perennial grass that grows to be eight feet tall, it is almost that high now.  The tassels are a silky copper-bronze, just stunning.

Ornamental Oregano

 Ravenna Grass

Another amazing perennial grass--we planted this at the foot of the wind turbine because it can grow to over twelve feet high--it's just about there now.  The heads are platinum to pewter and silky green.

These cool heads are from the rudbeckia family--cousins to the Black-eyed Susans.

Two kinds of sage, narrow leaf

and round leaf

 Scabiosa

Sedum

Snowberry

Coral berry

Sunflowers with brown centers and green centers

Verbena "Bonariensis"

Yarrow mixed bunch

We are no longer making physical deliveries but our good friends at Go-fer It are happy to bring you flowers Mondays through Fridays.  Please call or email if you would like to place an order.

What's Fresh Sept. 4, 2012

The days feel summer hot but the sun rises later and later each day and the nights grow cooler and cooler.  I pass school children waiting for the bus on the way to deliveries and our first granddaughter turns five today and begins kindergarten next week.  It is fall and we are winding down.  

The farm is beautiful and lush but there is less and less to cut each day.  We are over run with sunflowers and zinnias but many varieties are slowing way down so please contact us to reserve flowers and make pre-orders to insure sufficient quantities.

 Asclepias orange

Bells of Ireland

Celosia Cock's Comb Fuchsia

Yellow Pink Combination

Lime

Celosia Plume Fuchsia and Lime

Delphinium in asstored colors

Diablo

Dill

Echinacae Coconut Lime

Euphorbia Marginata

Indigo Spires

Lysimachia Gooseneck Loosestrife

Millet "Limelight"

Millet "Tapestry"

Ornamental Oregano

Parsley seed heads

Penstemon "Jingle Bells"

Sage

Scabiosa Lavender and White

Sedum Green

Sedum Red

Snow Berry

Coral Berry

 Sunflowers

Lemon/lime

 Brown centered

Verbena "Bonariensis"

Viburnum berries

Zinnias

Please feel free to call or email for updated availability or to make an order.

Happy Labor Day