Heat Wave!

The weather has reminded us once again how quickly things can change. A few days in the 90s (in May!) have thrown some of our crops for a loop. Some of the lettuces bolted (turned bitter), the sugar snap pea pods are growing flat and elongated (more like snow peas), and plant beds are drying out. It was only a short while ago that the entire lower field was too wet to plant in!

The good news is that the larkspur are blooming, an event we look forward to every year. They produce beautiful spikes of purple flowers, and we also have pink ones that start just a little later than the purples. We've gotten the first flowers on our tomato plants, and the blackberries and raspberries are starting to form.

Farm-Fresh Eggs: What's the difference?

Compared to a typical grocery store egg, the yolks of our eggs have a darker, orangey-yellow color.  In a fresh egg (like ours), the egg white is thick and doesn't spread out very much.  The yolk "stands up" instead of flattening out.  The chalazae (white, ropey strands) are more prominent in a fresh egg.  (The chalazae are a normal part of every chicken egg, designed to "anchor" the yolk.  They do not indicate if an egg is fertilized.)

We think there's only one downside to a fresh egg:  it can be more difficult to peel a fresh, hard-cooked egg than an older one.  But a fresh egg makes the best fried-egg sandwich.

Rhododendrons

Our rhododendrons are providing splashes of color all over the farm.

STYLE at the Station

Green Spring Station is partnering with STYLE Magazine for a special event on Thursday, April 14th.  STYLE at the Station will feature designer trunk shows, giveaways, and live music throughout the day.  More details available online at http://greenspringstation.com/events/.

The event also includes a farmers' market that will run from 4 to 7 p.m. that day.   We'll be there, along with several other farm market vendors.

Signs of Spring!

Black Australorp Hens

Our black-n-white, penguin-looking chicks have all grown up. The full-grown hens are black, with green highlights visible in the sun. We've been getting lots of eggs from them (mainly small- and peewee-sized until they get a little older). Our latest farm record is 83 eggs in one day! (That's not bad from only 100 hens.)

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Our rooster Lucky takes a stroll through the snow.