Farm Update
Standing Up
Nightshades By Day
Tiny Flowers, Many Hands
Field Notes
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It has been a cool spring and our crops are a bit behind, but they are beginning to catch up. We hope to have fresh kale, lettuce, and radish asap. Plus, we hope to have local honey as well. Keep track of our social media for latest updates @btownfarmschool.
Come farm with us! Do you have your fab 5 group? Get together, pick a day and time, and let us know when you would like to volunteer and learn about farming. The farming season is in full swing and our success relies on volunteers. Small groups can begin coming to the farm June 1.
Thank you to Brian Morley for his amazing work in building the farm a convenient and beautiful new tool shed (more on this below). This shed will allow volunteers easy access to tools in a central location.
Our food-scrap collection continues at the farm stand. *NOTE that you can include fish carcasses and shells in with veggie scraps (
no
meat or chicken bone at this time).
We are in need of
large
(refrigerator-size) cardboard boxes. Please drop off at the compost bins to the left of the farm stand.
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When Brian Morley showed up out of the proverbial thin air and said he's building us a tool shed, we just about kicked ourselves.
A quick board approval for budget and location gave way to hours in his woodshop (aka garage). A couple of weeks later, a picture via text said, "are we ready to stand up these walls?"
Indeed. With the help of farmer Milos and some power tools, plus the steady hand of two or three other volunteers, the shed went up with nary a hitch.
We're proud of Brian's efforts and his handiwork, and for having become a steady presence on the farm. Thanks a shed full, and it's on to the next project.
* have any skills you'd like to share with the farm? Let us know. There is always another project on the horizon.
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Financial partners help us grow!
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This week we say goodbye to our first farm truck. We knew that when Kelvin Misiurski donated "Kale-ee" to help pick up compost and run farm errands, it would only be for a short while. She had a long life at 270k miles, but the old carriage can do no more.
The search is on for a new-to-us farm truck, though Kale-ee will never be forgotten.
Have a little-used, old truck that is looking for it's second wind? We're looking for a replacement. All donations to the farm are eligible for a tax-deductible.
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Two years ago, Evil Woodchuck (the garden bed by the summer kitchen) lay as a weedy and sandy patch where carrots would not grow. The good nutrients having washed off the hill a long time ago, we wondered whether this would become Barrington's second beach.
Energized by research and the good work of so many regenerative and organic farmers, including the guidance of
ERICD
, we set out to learn how to use silage tarps, cover crops, and soil amendments.
After numerous rotations (some more successful than others) of cover including rye, vetch, peas, oats, clover, and buckwheat, additions of lime and organic minerals, we feel confident that with a sound helping of organic compost, this field shall yield a fine harvest of Solanaceae.
Time will tell. Last year's tomato patch, planted late (mid June), and heavy with weeds, provided five weeks' worth of heirloom, hybrid, and cherry tomatoes. As the days and nights warm, these nightshades will grow well into the late summer and early fall.
It took nine volunteers four hours to rehome more than 1,500 tomato, pepper, and eggplants using a trowel to set them 16 inches apart. Certainly, we could have planted faster, but there was no need to rush, as we educated the new volunteers about what we do, how we do, and why we do on a beautiful and sunny day.
The transplanting was preceded by the setting up of drip irrigation and many loads of compost we dare not to count. Needless to say, the days of work will be well worth it come the fruits of the labor.
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Our itty-bitty row of chamomile from 2019 reseeded well and is now its own little field of beauty. What to do then with all of that precious and calm-inducing flower? Harvest often! Hopefully, we will have the help of many more hands as the chamomile will continue to set flower throughout the season.
Farmer Dan's method: while farming, take one or two flowers and place them between your gums and cheek; the relaxing effects begin quickly. But of course, these flowers are best steeped into a wonderful brew of tea, hot or cold, with or without any additions.
We'll get a brew going this weekend at the farm stand Saturday after 9 a.m. Come help yourself to some warm or cold tea and take in the first flavors of the farm.
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Field Notes
We begin harvesting our German Chamomile this week and will have the flowers available at the farm stand.
This week we take care of weeding, transplanting bush beans, basil, native corn, swiss chard, heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini and squash into the fields.
We will begin to set up the trellising and staking for the tomatoes, and continue to seed into open spaces. The cutting garden is looking great with more transplants joining the beds, and the potatoes are taking off (their shoots that is). There is activity-a-plenty as the busy season on the farm has surely arrived.
Any mushroom hunters out there? While we would like to someday grow our own mushrooms on oak logs, we know that this is the time to get out and hunt for local edible mushrooms. Our mushroom friend, Brian O. sent us the pic below of beautiful oyster mushrooms on a fallen oak log found in northern RI. Hook up with a local expert and gather some mushrooms!
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Resource
links
for home gardening
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Be Tick Free! As the tick season hits full swing be sure to take proper precautions when enjoying the great outdoors or visiting the farm!
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Barrington Farm School's Mission
An inclusive community farm and learning center that provides farming, food, health and environmental education supported by dedicated volunteers serving as stewards of our historic farm.
Barrington Farm School is a 501(c)3, educational resource for students of all ages.
Barrington Farm School
P.O. Box 41
Barrington RI 02806
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