Is It Spring or Summer?

Boy, it seems like we have gone directly from winter to summer from a weather point of view. The calendar says that spring has just begun, but we have had lows in the 60s and highs in the upper 80s for well over a week now. It was just a couple of weeks ago that we had a hard freeze and now I am worried that the lettuce and chard plants are going to burn up in the afternoon heat. To add to the challenge of growing young vegetable plants we haven’t had any measurable rain for months and the wind blows steadily day and night most days. It was 93 F yesterday afternoon and 48 F this morning. So, is it summer, or is it spring – from a plant’s point of view?

I only have to look at the butterflies on the Carolina Jessamine blooms outside of my office window to see that it is spring. Actually, the signs of spring are everywhere I look and it is truly beautiful even though the wild flowers are fewer and smaller this year due to a lack of rain. The oaks are all losing their leaves, but the possumhaws, cherry laurels, kidneywoods, crepe myrtles, and my blackhaw viburnum are all covered with new spring growth.

Western Tiger Swallowtail

Pipevine Swallowtail

Another sure sign of spring is the annual Austin Funky Chicken Coop Tour ^[1], which is coming up on April 23, 2011. Ron went on the tour last year so we could get ideas for our first chicken coop and to collect information from local experts about what types of chickens do well here. Now, less than a year later, we have our first coop and a nice little family of chickens, two hens and one rooster. Our two hens are producing enough eggs for our needs and the quality and freshness of the eggs is remarkable. I made an asparagus quiche and a pumpkin pie yesterday, using fresh farm eggs, that were both delicious. I also find that I enjoy watching and listening to the chickens while I work during the day. I highly recommend keeping chickens if you have the space and I also recommend checking out some of the coops on the Austin Funky Chicken Coop Tour if you have the time. There are some really creative coops in Austin!

Our New Rooster Bullock

Bullock, Layla, and Henrietta

Our market garden raised bed expansion project is well under way now. We got a truck load of garden dirt delivered from Natural Gardener’s new Dripping Springs location (Which is just five minutes away from the farm!) last Saturday and we have already built four large new beds which I started planting transplants in today. This is a great space for growing vegetables because it gets plenty of sun, but is protected from the wind. It has some spectacular views of the valley which doesn’t hurt either.

Truck Load of Garden Dirt

View of the Market Garden Space

Market Garden Greens Bed

Onions, Broccoli, Arugula, Lettuce and Tomatoes

Greens Growing in Front of the Greenhouse

Our native plant propagation is also progressing nicely. Our Madrone seeds are sprouting, as are the Mexican Buckeyes and I have started to dig up and transplant Passiflora Tenuiloba and Hill Country Penstemon as well.

More news to follow soon. Happy Spring!