Serenity Valley Farm

More Planting

Finally completed the Three-Sisters (Corn, beans, and squash) planting and got some slicing and pickling cukes in under the black plastic mulch. Still have buckwheat and black beans to get planted once we get a little bit of a dry spell.

Pro-Tips: Harvesting Tip #363,

Echo SRM-230 review, Ryobi Xpand-It, straight shaft trimmers

So, our Ryobi Xpand-It curved shaft weed trimmer failed back in the beginning of June. Being the cheap ass that I am I was trying to score a used one on CraigsList fo' cheap. Being the even cheaper-ass I was waiting for one for sale that was within 20 minutes of driving time. Fast-forward 3 weeks, do you know what weeds growing along side garden beds can do if left unchecked for 3 weeks? It was starting to get a bit out of control so I broke down and joined Consumer Reports, read that the Echo series of weed trimmers was supposed to be pretty sweet and went out and got the Echo SRM-230. The thing is a friggin hoss. Given that weed trimming/weed control is about my least favorite task on the farm, it made sense to get the proper tool for the job. In the few days we've had it I can tell you that there is a reason you see Echo straight shaft trimmers on the sides of landscaping trucks and not other silly brands. What I will tell you is that it is not the best of ideas to weed eat along side of beds you plan on harvesting from the following day unless you wanna spend the time and water to wash the shredded grasses out of the folds of your lettuces and other veggies, ask me how I know.

Cool Pics of Sugar Snap Peas

green manure, growing peas in PA

Here are some pics of the peas that are planted along side the oats. The recent cold snap we had at the start of June sent them into production, not sure how much longer they'll last as we head into mid-June. But plowing them under when they and the oats are done should make for some pretty sweet soil for any follow on crops.

Dill and Cilantro

bolting, cilantro, dill

So, even though Cilantro was a pain in the ass to grow in Texas because it was too hot, I've had some success getting them started here in PA. What I don't know, is how long the weather can keep them from bolting. Given that the strain is an heirloom, I can select for late bolting (bolting is where the plant rapidly moves from the vegetative to the flowering state) but we do love some cilantro and dill. The dill will be awesomes for canning later on.