Friday

Baby (plants), it's cold outside


Recently we all held our breath on Feb. 2, Ground Hog Day 
waiting to hear our fate. It was good news from 2,608 miles away 
when Punxsutawney Phil, the "weather psychic" did not see his shadow 
which means an early spring! 
Did you know that this was the 127th Groundhog Club event?
AP Photo by Keith Srakocic of Groundhog Club Co-handler
and Punxsutawney Phil on Feb. 2, 2013 
But even as we look ahead to spring 
and enjoy the recent sunny days, it is still very cold at the farm
So we continue in our winter farm mode—working and overseeing 
things at both farm locations, knowing that some plants will grow better than others.
 
The garlic at Imagery farm seems to be doing well 
while the onions are struggling a bit more.
garlic beds
onion beds
Bok choy, broccoli and collards are holding their own. 
"The hardiness of plants describes their ability 
to survive adverse growing conditions. 
A plant's ability to tolerate cold, heat, drought, flooding or wind 
are typically considered measurements of hardiness.
Winter-hardy plants grow during the winter, or at least remain healthy and dormant. 
Apart from the obvious evergreens, these include many cultivated plants, 
including some cabbage and broccoli, and all kinds of carrot."
bok choy
calabresse broccoli is the most common variety
tips on how to grow it
collards
carrot photo by Jerry James Stone
All of the plants require careful attention,
so we are out at the farm often and
much of the tending needs to be done by hand.




keeps them from freezing and these plants have a lower hardiness rating 
(meaning they can survive colder weather) 
than plants who produce less of this hormone." 
One plant hormone in particular that helps 
keep them from freezing is "Abscistic Acid."

garlic must have the abscistic acid hormone
Wondering about your plants' "hardiness?" 
Here's the Hardiness Rating from USDA planting zone map.  
including building a greenhouse and the importance of mulch.
greenhouse and mulched beds
behind  "the fig"

 The cold weather does not deter us from doing our work. 
Encouraging our labors are other natural harbingers of spring at the farm
 closer to us than the 2608 miles that separate us from groundhog Phil.
we think a first year American Robin
still no sightings of our resident Owl
but it's too early in the day!
While the Insectary may not now be as lush as it soon will be, 
the hardier plants that contribute to a healthy farm 
still surround and assist us.
Insectary in the summer
Insectary in December
bit of color at Insectary in January
What's hardy in your garden these days?
How do you protect your plants during the winter?
And do you have any signs of spring yet to cheer you on as you work?

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