864-3083 [email protected] www.bluelagoonorganics Happy
Transcription
864-3083 [email protected] www.bluelagoonorganics Happy
864-3083 [email protected] www.bluelagoonorganics Happy Winter. It's been a glorious winter on the prairies weatherwise but there has been a worrysome lack of snow. As you can see in the picture, our alfalfa field has no snow cover. Not only will snow deliver lots of moisture to the soils, insulation to fragile roots, but it also delivers nitrogen. In fact, snow captures nitrogen from the atmosphere. It is estimated that 2 to 12 pounds of nitrogen are deposited per acre as a result of snow and rain. It has been called the "poor man's fertilizer." This day is getting better and better. It's -2 C with snow flakes falling from the sky. In the greenhouse it's 25 C. Since we are certified organic we cannot buy starter plants. We have to start all our own seedlings from certified organic seeds. We already have some seedlings in the germinator. When they have germinated, we take them out and put them on heat mats . At night we put plastic tents over them for cold protection. On sunny days it gets so hot, we have to keep the doors open. We work in our shirtsleeves in temperatures up to 40 C. It's our version of going to a hot place in the winter. Pumpkin our cat enjoys the heat in spite of wearing a fur coat. He is sunbathing right in the middle of the planting space. Our chickens like to sit in the sun as well. They are quite anxious to get outside. These are new chickens we got as chicks last year, silver lace wyandottes and ameraucanas. The ameraucanas lay bluish, greenish or pink eggs. The Wyandottes lay brown eggs. They have come of age now and as the days get longer they are starting to lay. It's such a treat to eat our own organic eggs again. The soiled hay bedding we scoop up is valuable fertilizer as it composts. on the pile outside, waiting to be spread on the growing beds. We enjoy the slow pace of winter but our first WWOOFer arrives March 1st. and then it will be farming as usual. Until then, there are several conferences to attend in Winnipeg. This weekend is the Food Matters' Growing Local Conference. February 17th is the last opportunity to register on line. The conference is on February 24 & 25. Food matters is a registered charity and home of the Manitoba Food Charter. They promote food security and state: 1. Food locally grown tastes and looks better. 2. Local Food supports local farm families. 3. Local food builds trust. 4. Local food builds community. 5. Local food preserves open space. 6. Local food keeps taxes down. 7. Local food benefits the environment and wildlife. 8. Local Food makes a lighter carbon footprint. 9. Local food preserves genetic diversity. 10. Local food is an investment in our future If you want an explanation to any of these statements, check out the Food Matters website www.foodmattersmanitoba.ca We have updated our website www.bluelagoonorganics.com and our sign up brochure can now be downloaded and mailed in. In spite of rising food costs we have not raised our prices from last year. Subscriptions have started to come in and we hope to collaborate with you again this year.