Bunkhouse Suite Is Complete!

Wow! The pictures are in...I am just so impressed with how the bunkhouse renovations have turned out... In addition to all the farming activities, Chris has worked his bunz off practically every weekend and alot of weeknights. This weekend seemed like everything finally came together. What I am most happy about is how we were able to put an eco-friendly spin on most all parts of the upgrades as well. Dumpling even finished the bathroom and kitchen in the color "Hint of Mint" - hopefully very fitting for someone living on an organic flower farm!

We lucked out and found a great deal on bamboo butcher block for the countertops, decided to try out the dual flush toilet to save on water, and upgraded the thermostat to a digital programable one.

The eat-in-kitchen window overlooks the newly planted sunflower field. Love love love the "green" eco-friendly feeling!

Reggies Veggies!

Had to take a break from the flowers for a moment to brag on the veggie harvest. Here are some pics I've been meaning to post!

Lots of Basil to go along with the tomaotes.

Looking tasty

Mini-Pumpkins - a happy accident from a thanksgiving decoration that was tossed in the compost bin. The gift that keeps on giving!!

Some grape Cherry Tomatoes - They dont make it to the house alot of times!

Eggplant Parmesan is on the menu.

Cukes are pouring in .

Happy to find these!

Well thats all for now had to take an short A/C break - now its - back to weeding!!

Preparing the Next Sunflower Bed!

Buckwheat Seeds

For our upcoming wedding, we are hoping to have a nice backdrop of sunflowers. Here is Chris preparing the bed which will be first planted for buckwheat.. After 30 days we will till under the growth. It makes for a good "green manure" and will provide nutrients and prepare the soil for the first planting. Here is a step by step picture of how it was done.

Dumpling tilling the plot -

(Field of Flowers Will make for a nice view from the apartment!! )

All tilled and ready to plant

Spreader on the back of the tractor and bag of buckwheat. This 50 -lb bag is enough for 1 acre, so we used about half of the bag. We purchased from Southern States for about $40 -

Dumpling in Action!

About 2 weeks into growing here is our field.

More pictures of this field to come in a few months!

So Much Growing on Around Here!

Boy have we been busy on the farm! First day of summer was here and it was killer this whole week -Index has been in the 100+'s and even less strenuous task of harvesting flowers is a challenge with the humidity. The good news is that the zinnias are pouring in by the BUCKETS!

So excited to post some pictures now that almost everything is in bloom. I have been snapping away like crazy.

Never have I seen the birds, bees and butterflies out in this fashion!! Here is the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. The wingspan on these suckers is huge. Also you can tell its a female, since the males dont have any of the blue color on the bottom of the wings. I know its bad, but Dumpling says I'm easily distracted whenever a butterfly crosses my path - its just kinda like I drift off with it - weeee...But who could be anything but mesmerized when watching these big butterflies kiss your flowers!?

A few other photos highlighting some of our buds in bloom!

Our designer "Green Envy" zinnia -


Carmine Rose, tiny but cute.

Love the intense red velvet on this one.
Cactus Zinnia with the quill-like petals, quite dramatic.

A unique zinnia I just had to try out, its called candy-cane. Can you taste the peppermint?

Sunflowers out in full force!
This is exciting times as we have customer orders to fill for monday - in addition to the people that want to stop by and pick some straight from the field.

Well I am relieved. I know we are doing good when the cars drive a little slower down our road... I even got a few "hello's" and a darn-right friendly handwave from the normally intense bike racers today (we have a ton of competitive bicyclist that tour our country roads), usually they are pretty focused straight ahead, but am hoping our little field becomes a distraction for anyone that drives or pedals by.

Summer has arrived and hope you can stop in and smell the flowers!

Zinnias are in Bloom!

Note to self - June 16th - First Real Zinnia Bouquet Picked for the season. As you can tell, this blog is making for a great gardening journal! We have grown every zinnia and sunflower from seed, so its an overwhelming feeling - finally getting to see our harvest for the first time. It is a relief too - After thumbing through the wedding magazines, and not seeing much attention given to the field grown flowers - I was almost afraid that our farm grown flowers wouldn't look as exciting as those imported roses or lilly's. Boy was I wrong!

Just love the color and texture. Glad Judi thought of the mason jar idea with some raffia bow. It is just a perfect theme for the -Oct. farm wedding we are planning!

I am amazed at how textbook the sunflowers are. Definetly not the tall gangly ones I grew as a kid.

Was harvesting a bundle of the happy blossoms and told dumplin' "Hey these sunflowers look like the ones at the store!" he quickly replied with- "well where do you think the ones at the store come from?!"

I think I can actually believe now that oneday soon they will be coming - from our farm...
Needless to say, I am impressed with our first efforts -

The excitement has been a good motivator to keep at it. Last weekend was spent starting a whole new batch (couple hundred!)- so we can keep fresh plants in succession.
I am growing more varieties and most are solid colors now, instead of the mix.

Kitty on the job

:P

Been Too Busy To Blog

Sweet Peas are starting to bloom in a variety of pastel colors.

Zinnias we planted in the plastic rows (with drip irrigation) are finally starting to get their roots in the ground and getting a running start.

Summer is officially here. Like a timer - first 'mater harvest of the year on June 1st.
'Taters too!


50 eggs in 10 days! Omlettes and french toast for breakfast.

Watermelon plants enjoying the heat.

Memorial day BBQ - Keith and Chris on the cornhole boards

Chickens enjoying the BBQ as well! They had this thing down to the cob in a matter of a minute!

Speaking of corn, the cornfields surrounding us getting tall. Feels like we are getting walls around the property.

The field we are getting ready to turn into sunflowers.

We went to the Strawberry Festival and got to enjoy some carnival food! Funnel Cake heaven.

When i took a bite a gust of wind blew a nice puff of powder sugar right into my face.

Jams galore!

Dad enjoying a turkey leg -

Butterfly fries.
Dumpling with a strawberry shortcake.

Holy crap there was a crowd! 100,000+ people according to their website. Sure felt like it!

Our last stop was at the 4-H tent. Cutest jersey cow ever and sleepy pigs

Pretty much how we all felt after a hot day in the sun and heat.