Caterpillar Tunnel Project

Caterpillar Tunnel project is coming along.  I have already got one up that is filled with cucumbers, peppers and celery.

Cucumbers are doing Great!

I am making sure to put down drip tape before laying out the Biotello plastic.  This should save me a lot of time this year- not having to weed and spot water.

Each tunnel will have two 80 foot rows.  I cannot wait until all four of these 80 foot rows are full of some of the most amazing tasting tomato's ever!

TO BE CONTINUED

Latest Farm News

There has been a lot going on here on the farm as we continue to prepare for the market season.  First I am very excited about my new/ used van.  I was able to sell my truck and by this van- this should be a much more practical and safer way to get all my plants a produce to market each week.

Pure-N-Simple Farm will be adding some new members as well.  We are going to be getting some goat's.  So I have been working a lot this past week trying to get our barn cleaned up and organized, and will be building them a nice cozy home to live in.  

By next year we will be milking them.  We will be using the milk of course for our Pure-N-Simple Goat's Milk Soap, but also excited about exploring all the other fun things we can do like making cheese. 

Nick is helping me dismantle the old bench that was here.  This is where the goat pen will be and right behind Nick will be a door for them to go in and out.

Still a bit of a mess- but what a great feeling it is that most of the hard stuff is done.  I can now continue to clear out below and store up top.  This goat project is just what this barn needed.  It amazing to me how junk just continues to pile up and clutter everything.  What a great spring clean up project!

Come on Warmer Weather!

OK it's officially Spring now, but certainly does not feel like it.  Hard to believe last year at this time we had over 5 consecutive days of 70 degree weather.  I am thankful that I have at least one High Tunnel structure up where at least I was able to overwinter some greens.

I love seeing the contrast of white snow to the dark green rows of spinach. The spinach overwintered very well, and is growing much faster now with the longer days.

I just started transplanting lettuce mix in the tunnel and can't wait to begin harvesting that- along side with some fresh kale and miniature pac-choy.  Market season is just around the corner- I can't wait!

Can Spring Get Here Any Quicker?

It's that time of the year again that we are very busy here at Pure-N-Simple farm.  Making soaps, sowing seeds, prepping greenhouse, planting in high tunnel.  I love this season- the days go by so fast though.

We are very excited for the new year.  We have great varieties selected to grow for the upcoming market season.  Already I have fresh spinach and salad mix growing in the high tunnel.  I would say in other 2 to 3 weeks will be ready.  You will be able to find me at the West Pawlet Farmers Market.

Ramp season is just around the corner as well , for those of you who enjoyed the fresh ramps I brought to market last spring.

I have many amazing varieties of tomatoes this year that I can not wait to share with everyone.  You can view my 2013 grow list.

I also have started a separate blog all on tomatoes, Route 22 Tomatoes - Check it out!

Well back to work-  Hope to see you all soon.

Blush Heirloom Tomato

This variety was another one recommended to me by Carolyn Male who is also whom I acquired the seeds to grow this wonderful variety.  I believe Carolyn acquired the seed from Fred Hempel in California to trial and then had offered it to tomatoville members in 2011.

 I would have to say that this one of my new favorites.  For years my absolute favorite tomato was the Black Cherry, but as I have been trying all these new varieties- the black cherry as good as it is, is slowly sliding down the list.

The Blush tomato is a small yellow striped- plum, pointed, salad paste.  Be sure to really let them ripen up before eating.  They should be soft and have almost an orangey color to them.

I find the taste to be sweet and juicy with a little crunch.  They are not meaty at all.  I feel as if I am snacking on candy when indulging in these magnificent pieces of fruit.