Micro Minute: Gettin' Into the Swing of Spring

Getting into a groove early in the season, and it feels great

Greetings all, hope everyone has been enjoying the sun and warm weather as much as I have.

That might be tough to do, because I’m like a cold-blooded reptilian when the temperatures tick up and the sun peeks out. Completely energized, I just bask in and smile at the giant orange orb.

Feeling that energy, I finished pruning the apple trees this past week with Cal and Mr. Foot keeping me company. It felt so good to be back out there and finish the first major task of the season.

The trees seem to have grown quite a bit since last year and were so tall that I had to make lots of major cuts to make sure they remain manageable.

Some were leaning and just looked stretched out. The effect of a light pruning last year. So it took a little longer than I had anticipated. Making big cuts and moving the masses of lumber turned out to be heavy work. A great way to break me back into the season I suppose.

The owners of the place are very sweet and take good care of me; I always do the best job I can for them.

I started back at another client’s home and pruned raspberry canes and a big ol’ hydrangea. Otherwise, there was a lot of garden beds to clean and tidy up.

A lot of progress has already been made, but there’s much work to be done yet. Obviously.

Which brings my attention back to Mountain Orchard. By the end of the week I’ll get back up there to really start prepping the garden area. And right about now is the perfect time to get going pruning the peach trees. I hope to make lots of progress there so we can supply the people with a bounty of the tastiest stone fruit around.

I’ll make a progress update on the pruning next week with details and pictures.

Shifting gears now from the macro to the micro level:

As we can see, the wheatgrass is still crushing. I’ve upped the production a little bit to meet my daily consumption needs. Unfortunately we didn’t get around to juicing any at the Easter family gathering this weekend.

I did however break out the juicer in order to smoosh some oranges down into juice. Assisted by my helpful little nieces, we made a couple glasses of some of the finest fresh squeezed I’ve had in a while. I highly recommend, and must say it’s worth the effort.

Anyhow the grass is growing well and the juice is hitting just right. I feel more energized every day. The trick is to stay consistent. Like with this newsletter; that I will continue to publish until somebody reads it!

Over the weekend I started a couple trays of arugula and mustard micros. Both spicy, powerful tasting greens each in their own unique way. It’s unbelievable the way the familiar flavors are concentrated into the tiny immature leaves.

My plan for the microgreens this year is to keep growing these two and mix them up with radish to concoct a spicy micro mix. I’ll make batches weekly while also continuing to sell sunflowers and peas to cut fresh at the market.

A thought for now so I can streamline the production, time and effort required. I’m sure it will all go out the window once the season starts.

What would you all like to see me grow this season? Any suggestions or requests?

Lastly, I’ll touch on the seedlings. Which I almost forgot about because they’re outside hardening off some. Actually, I think I’ll even leave them out overnight to enjoy the nice mild evening. The less I have to transfer them about, and the quicker they get acclimated to the elements the better.

The seedlings are doing ok, the tomatoes seem to be struggling to size up. I suppose those seeds I saved might have gotten a little compromised after all. But I’ll still wait and see to give them a chance.

The cannabis seedlings are doing pretty good. Although they seem like they would enjoy a boost too, so I’ll pick up some fish emulsion or liquid seaweed next time I run out.

I suppose that about wraps up my week. Might not sound like too much, but the days fly by. And it keeps a slow moving creature like me quite busy. It’s impossible to express how good it feels to move at my own pace and help take care of trees, gardens and greens.

I’m blessed to be on this path, and doubly blessed to be supported by my family and friends.

I do what I do because it feels right to me and I believe it makes a difference. Real, clean, nutrient dense food is tough to come by these days. Consuming it is the only way to stay healthy and vigorous enough to be able to withstand the toxic environments of today.

So eat well, eat fresh, spend tons of time outdoors and do the Spring thing; give thanks for the return of life.