We had a warm, still and sunny day. Perfect weather to put the new plastic covering on one of our greenhouses, loving named the Snake.
Many Thanks to Katie Reeves for giving us a hand. We look forward to having you helping in the garden more.
My new favorite thing is making soil blocks. This is an ancient Mexican technology with incredible results. Check out the Chinampas in Mexico City. And now it has been adapted for use in market gardens everywhere. It helps keep transplanting shock to a minimum, no plastic pots, and very happy seedlings. I am addicted to making them, which is a good thing as we need as thousands made and sown. Tiahui Mexicas!

On the suggestion of many friends we have decided to try a Go Fund Me campaign. We will re-build not matter what, and are determined that we will keep to our big plans for this season, even if we are growing in the open air rather than under cover as we had expected.
Dylan and I were just reflecting on our previous experiences with damages to our greenhouses. We were in Cornwall, UK and had someone vandalized our market garden. They (we have no idea who) cut the plastic on our two small greenhouses. A friend wrote to the local newspaper, and we set up a party date to "sew" the greenhouses back together. We had about 30-50 people show up to help stitch them back together and then apply tape to make sure they stayed together

In 2018 we entered a partnership with Square Roots Farm in Lanesboro. They had extra field space that they were not using and we wanted to expand our greenhouse space. With funding from the USDA we put up six new hoop houses.
Even while we were constructing we managed to fling in a few beans, sunflowers, squash, tomato seeds, a few rows of carrots and even rescue a few cucumber seedling orphans from Michael and Ashley.
We will be supplying local restaurants, like Thrive and continuing to supply markets Guido's and Wild Oats in the area in 2019.

We are really pleased to be holding two new events this year 2018.
As our young fellow is getting older and wanting to play with more friends... Mama is offering to facilitate a playgroup. We have been part of a homeschooling co-op and he has really blossomed, so given my experience with arts in education we decided to join forces with a neighboring farm and create something similar a bit closer to home. Cubs & Kits, a parent & child playgroup.
I was really inspired on our recent trip to visit family and friends in Ireland and the UK by the number of community/ support groups that were transforming our friends lives.I live by the philosophy: "if you can't find it, make it"... So I decided to offer to facilitate a Woman's Circle to create just that kind of support. With the intention of exploring creativity, inspiration and healing I have put out the invitation to other women to join a monthly circle. Bridget's Fire

Everything is greening-up despite the cool and damp spring. The ponies are shedding shaggy winter coats and going a bit mad for the emerging grass. There are so many herbal allies springing up: Motherwort, Houttuynia, Mullen, Lady's Mantle, Istatis or Woad (remember the blue Pict warriors, it is both antiviral and antibacterial: good protection for going into battle!) So now it is time to preserve the bounty of Spring and Summer.
Dylan is once again making tinctures from fresh plants and creating those "hard to find" formulas for treating Lyme Disease, which seems to be an unacknowledged epidemic. Almost everyone I meet has either had Lyme or knows someone who has it. We highly recommend Stephen Harrod Buhner's books on Healing Lyme and Healing Lyme Disease Coinfections.
We are offering individual formulas simples, or a consultation and specially made herbal mixtures designed to assist healing your particular symptoms.

It has been a wild year, so full and so changeable. I guess that is always the way. My grandmother always used to say "you must take the good with the bad, but look for the good". Life is always a mixed bag... you choose what you take from it.
The dry summer made it hard for a lot of crops to really thrive, and put an strain on us having to carry water for every plant and creature. But as you can see our basil did amazingly well and now the freezers are full of pesto. Mari is the Pesto Queen.
The army of baby ducks that were Perran's spring present have grown and were overwhelming us for much of the summer. I never knew ducks could eat so much, nor be so loud! Finally three found a new home and there has been peace and quiet ever since.
Dylan has had a some building commissions: woodsheds and a really neat camping a-frame. The mill has meant he can create wonderful structures from our own hardwoods, and mill just the right sized boards for his projects. I huge old Butternut fell in early Autumn. I was out harvesting garlic, and heard a few tell-tale, cracking groans from the old beast. He crashed down with an almighty thump and if I had not run like a rabbit from the garlic patch I'd have been grazed by his top branches. We know have a beautiful supply of butternut milled up.
Dylan has been out in the woods splitting seasoned wood and filling firewood orders as fast as he can. As soon as a chill hits the air, everyone wants wood. We also have a new dump truck which is taking the pain out of firewood delivery.
And after all the dry summer, with only a rare flush or two, this last icy rain storm brought out the biggest flush of mushrooms we have had yet. I harvested three baskets full, maybe 8 or 10lbs. of log grown shiitakes.
We have been harvesting herbs for tinctures and teas before the frost can get them, a few more are still standing. Soon the garden will be put to bed and its loving bounty preserved for the cold time. The warm and cozy time, the time of making crafts, hugging the fire and sharing stories is drawing closer as the winds grow colder. Cup of tea, anyone?

This past weekend we had a fabulous time at the inaugural Berkshire Mountains Faerie Festival in Adams, MA.
We had a faerie Apothecary & Curiosity Shop, selling handmade woodland crafts, locally grown herbal skin care, moss gardens, cards, books, and more. There was such a wonderful response from folks that we have decided to set up a shop online so that these things can be purchased after the festivities are over. The shop is being built and we'll let you know when it is open for business. Thank you to all who supported us and those who helped out on the day.We had a faerie wonderful time!

Ponies, ducks, ducklings, a new rooster plus the handful of new felted creatures... this place is brimming with life. Even the daffodils are willing to show their heads. All the seeds and soil amendments are in, the greenhouse is getting tidied-up. Some seedlings are starting in the house. The ponies are in training to get the fields cultivated. It feels good to begin a new season.

With the help of the heat and the rain, our gardens are really growing. If we can only get all the plants in the ground. Transplanting from the greenhouse into the field is a major task. We have decided to mulch both our fields this year in the hopes of increasing fertility. Still trying to locate old hay bails to keep the weeds at bay.

We have a pack of marauding guineas who seem to like to nibble everything we put out and dust bathe in the newly sown beds. Trying to work out a solution... a few guineas are on the market, cheap.

Speaking of markets, we have produce at Wild Oats Coop and The Store at Five Corners. So if you are in the Williamstown area look out for our goods.

Mari & WindRose have started creating woodland-inspired cut flower bouquets. Here are a few to delight your eyes...