Double R Farm (Amish Country Soaps & Sundries)

Come with me on a morning walk through the some of  gardens on the farm. Just now the irises are blooming, and the summer garden is growing. It's peaceful here in Sugarcreek on this Sunday morning. The weather has been beautiful and the plants are reaping the benefits of the  many hours of sunshine. Here are a few pictures of what's growing today.

                    

          

                                       

Here in Sugarcreek the irises are just now beginning  to bloom. Mother Nature it seems has been working extra hard this year producing these hardy perennials. I thought I'd take a minute and share a few with you. I only wish the computer had a scent feature for you to smell their heavenly fragrance!

     

                 

It's hard to believe it is almost the 1st of June. Heavy frosts the past few nights have sent us scurrying out to cover the tender young tomato and pepper plants. We are working on additional plantings for the CSAs as weather permits. We have already planted many, many seeds and they are just now emerging. Thankfully the frost has not effected them.

Things seem to be finally waking up here in Sugarcreek. The weather they say is supposed to be beautiful from here on out. Last night we spied a somewhat lost oppossum in the shed, and this morning we saw a large skunk wandering around near the pond.

The irises and lupines are just now blooming filling the air with their sweet fragrance. Soon the lilies, peonies and roses will follow.Over the past few years we have been cultivating some older as well as newer varieties of many different perennials. We will be offering some new additions on our listing this fall.

 For now,  I"ll  leave you with a few photos of the spring garden.

                   

I've been meaning to blog, but there seems to be an endless amount of work to be done on the farm. This is truly one of the busiest times of the year. With the tilling, planting, and constant weeding it's no wonder I haven't had time to blog. It is though one of my favorite times of year. A time when in the midst of all the activity I can take a few minutes to stop and smell the flowers. As I am cleaning the beds of the many perennials we grow, I can smell some of the sweetest spring flowers ever.

  There is a part of me misses the cold winter days that kept me indoors, and gave me more time to blog and catch up on other things. Now it's up before the sun, and outdoors as soon as the sun peaks over the horizon.  Then it's off to work, and outside again until the sun sets. Life seems so incredibly busy just now.  I wish I could tuck a few extra hours into each new day.I assume that once we have had enough warm weather and we've gotten caught up (hah!) the need to be outside will  not be as strong. The good news is ....it wil be well worth the work when the flowers are in full bloom, and we can begin to harvest the wholesome veggies that we've raised.

Just now the spring garden is getting the benefits of a gentle rain. The strawberries are blooming and a host of irises will be soon.

Until the next time-happy gardening!

Here in Sugarcreek the weather has been a bit crazy. It warmed up, cooled down, and the other day we even had  sleet and hail! It's almost May and many of us still have our heat on. Very unseasonable weather for us.

 It's also has not been the best weather for planting and growing, but the weather this weekend is suppossed to be glorious with temperatures reaching in the 70's-80's. Plantng season is upon us, so last weekend we managed to get a cultivator to help with the tilling. We normally have an Amish neighbor do the tilling for us, but we decided to till an area 2-3 times larger than usual. We hope to accomodate the additional requests for  CSAs and get more veggies grown for the markets.

We have seen a steady increase in requests for naturally grown produce, and a greater interest in the farm.I imagine that  with every new food scare that is announced more and more people are worried about how and where their food is grown.I can't say I blame them. I like to know where my food comes from too. The more natural and local the better.

Honestly, I was begning to think the sun would never shine here in Sugarcreek. After many days of rain, drizzle and grey skies the sun has finally come back.It is a warm and welcoming sight.

The next few days are supposed to be nice as well, and then well, back into the cold rain again. We have a lot to do in those few days. Some roofs need mending, and more spring veggies need to be planted.

We are looking forward to the nice weather to get started on tilling the soil so we can begin planting for the summer harvest. Before we know it the crops will need to be harvested, and that first juicy home grown tomato will be ready.Mmmmm..I can taste it already.

The weather has been unseasonably cool here in Sugarcreek. This morning we awoke to yet another frosty and cool morning. The flowers seem to be blooming more slowly than usual, and many of the more tender varieties we grow  have had to be covered nightly.

The spring garden that was planted a few weeks ago is coming along, but it too seems to be taking forever. I try to remember that growing from seed is in itself a lesson in patience and often times humility. The young peas and lettuces are just now emerging, and with enough sun and warmth  will burst through the soil quickly.

The rhythms of nature do not necessarily match my own, and I try not to be too hasty in my expectations. A visit to the peace garden this morning seems to be the perfect way to start the day.

Mr. Drooley came to us this past winter when the winds were howling, and the temperatures were below freezing. Truly, the last thing I needed was another mouth to feed, but I am inclined to take in anything that needs warmth and nourishment.

I tried to find a home for him. but it never materialized. He went nameless for months, as we told ourselves he probably wouldn't be staying. Not too long ago we noticed that he has been hanging around with the chickens. We are not sure if he doesn't realize that he is a cat, or the chickens don't know he is not a chicken. Daily, we find him taking dust baths with the chickens, or all of them curled up in front of the barn for an afternoon nap.

Every evening when we put the chickens in he follows them to the door. Once they are secured and the small barn door is closed he wanders over to the hay and finds himself a warm place to sleep.The oddest thing is, that we have two other outdoor cats who will have nothing to do with him. They hiss and swat at one another, and we thought he would be happier in a new home. Mr. Drooley though, seems content to be with his feather-brained friends, and they seem to enjoy his company as well.

The chickens and Mr. Drooley taking an evening stroll.

 Yesterday's weather proved to be as glorious as the optimists had predicted. The chilly early morning gave way to above average warmth by noon. The children at school quickly shed their heavy winter jackets, and the birds sang loudly. Finally, we enjoyed a day of springtime warmth.

Today, unfortunately was not as pleasant. It appears that Mother Nature has decided to change her mind and remind us that winter is not completely gone. We have wind gusts between 35-45 mph, and the temperature has plummeted. The children have put back on their winter coats, and the brave souls sporting shorts have surrendered them yet again to long pants.

It is still early Spring here in Sugarcreek, and it will be a few weeks before we see some real warmth.The early spring flowers keep their buds tightly wrapped, hesitant to open completely. The only flower seemingly brave enough to open completely is the Lenten Rose. They were planted  years ago, because they are one of the earliest Spring flowers. True to their name they only open during the season of Lent.

Heading to he barn this morning I noticed the tender plants and the windshield covered in frost. It’s hard to believe that in a few hours the temperature will reach the high sixties here in Sugarcreek. I am having difficult time explaining to my son that it’s too cold for him to wear shorts. He is convinced that since it will get so warm he NEEDS to wear them, and apparently he is not the only one. On my way into work I see many a brave soul dressed in shorts and a jacket. Maybe we will finally get one of those glorious days that I have been reading about in other’s blogs. Let’s hope so, or many a brave soul will have chattering teeth.

Today seems no different than those early spring days when I feel I have to work a little harder to make up for the time I’ve been away from the gardens. The winter provides a much-needed slumber for the beautiful plants that surround our farm, and by the time the ground softens I am stealing minutes and even hours outside. Mornings are still chilly here in Sugarcreek, but the afternoon gives way to the gentle warmth of the springtime sun.

 Last night I was feeling energetic and decided to tackle a small garden in front of the barn. Some plants had grown under a large stone, which was surrounded by two smaller ones. Well, I’d like to say that I am the patient type, after all growing from seed and carefully cultivating does take patience, but in some matters I am the first to admit that I want it done NOW. I decided that despite my small stature I would move the large stone with merely a shovel and some misguided ingenuity. As most ill planned projects go this one was doomed from the start.

I had not accounted for the fact that my body weight was not enough to move the stone, and that placing my gloved hands under it was probably not the best idea. I did manage to move the middle- sized stone, and began gently working away the earth around the plants. I must admit that I was quite proud of my accomplishment until I realized that the tubers of the plants had grown directly under the larger stone.

 I tried to move the large stone, but after much huffing and puffing I decided that the stone was more stubborn than I, and I had to admit defeat. Despite my protests I would have to ask my husband for help in moving it. I clumsily picked up the middle-sized stone to place it back to where it was originally, and set my sights to another day. As I am lost in thought I set the stone down too close to another and wedged my fingers between the two. It wouldn’t have been so bad if I hadn’t let go of the stone in my hand and then proceeded to smash my already wedged fingers.

For now I have been gracefully sidelined, but at least I know there is always tomorrow....

My apologies to anyone who was or is trying to sign up for our 2009 CSA shares through the internet. Somehow instead of updating the quanities available I zeroed them out ! Thankfully, a few subscribers called to let me know of the problem. If you would like to join us for he 2009 growing season you can do so by visiting our Local Harvest store, or contacting us here at the farm. Thanks, Christine

Monday mornings for me are always difficult to navigate. Working inside a classroom during the week I look forward to the time on the weekend to get things done on the farm. This past weekend the weather was fairly warm here in Sugarcreek. It was great for gardening and getting some much needed chores done. Saturday we worked on a shed that houses our well and pump. The winds this past winter had torn many shingles off the roof and some of the wood had rotted from moisture. There is nothing I like better than hanging off the side of the ledge of a roof and hanging shingles!

A little later on the scents of spring overcame me, and I spied my trusty pitchfork in the barn. For some reason, Spring never officially starts until I turn over the first of the gardens by hand. It's slow going, but smelling the sweet earth always gets me in the spirit to continue. The early cold hardy crops will go in first, and as the weather warms up we will move onto the other ones. Soon enough we will be harvesting the spring crops and anticipating the rest of the produce. The juicy tomatoes, sweet corn, beans, peas and a host of other tasty treats are always the best when they are naturally grown. I can imagine it now... the juice from the 1st tomato dripping down my chin.

Well, it's back to work. I grab the pen that has been traded for my pitchfork and continue with thoughts of the coming harvest dancing in my head. Soon the weather will be even warmer, and the gardens will be ready to start planting the seed that starts it all. School will be out for the summer, and the season I enjoy the most will begin. The flowers and vegetables that were so carefully planted will be ready to harvest, and the satisfaction of providing for family and friends will fill my soul.

Yesterday the day began with howling winds barreling across the pastures. It was a brisk wind, one that cleanses the atmosphere while it tosses around everything in its path. The early morning songs of the peepers and birds were almost all but drowned out by the roaring wind, but if you listened carefully you could still hear them.

Today, we were teased by snow as Mother Nature tries to make up her mind. Will it be winter or spring? We are tempted to plant, but know that we could still be in for some more winter weather. In our area we usually plant peas and potatoes on St. Patricks Day along with some other cold weather crops. We are tempted though to grab the pitchfork and start a little sooner.

 The winds of change have also swept through our lives and at times have thrown us off balance. We steady ourselves as best we can, and set our sights on this years' harvest and the promise it brings. Though the winds may howl we are thankfully reminded that some things will never change. 

This morning we were greeted by the Northwest winds roaring across the pastures in Sugarcreek. Occassionally, the winds would subside just long  enough for us to hear the sweet songs of  the springtime birds.

In the past few days the weather here has been warmer, warm enough to send the farm animals into their springtime frolic. The chickens were up for a friendly game of hide and seek and were eager to taunt me with their antics. Instead of laying their eggs in their chicken house they decided to lay them in the barn in a nest of dirt and hay that they had collected from the barn floor.

The heat from the much needed sun was warm and welcoming as we watched many more robins gather in the front yard. We decided to venture out and look for some spring flowers. Like treasure hunters searching for gold we set out, and were quickly rewarded when we spied a lone golden yellow crocus bravely peeking out from the soil.The almost overlooked jewel was nestled among the dead grasses and twigs of last years' growth. Our son seemed the most captivated by its simple beauty as he bent down to get a closer look. We watched as he pushed his little nose deep into its soft petals. "Wow, he exclaimed, "this is the sweetest flower I ever smelled!" That it is, and soon the land will be filled with many colorful flowers and the sweet scents of Spring.