April Flowers

It’s just such a picture perfect spring day in Middle Tennessee. Flowers are in bloom, birds are singing, and the hills are all green again. Spring is upon us and it is beautiful.







Farm Doings…

Planted: beets, carrots, chard, salad turnips, cabbage, broccoli, early tomatoes, bok choy, radishes, leeks, mustard greens, and kohlrabi. Wednesday, the spinach and arugula went into the ground, and next week zucchini and summer squash are being planted.

Completed: One of the two new walk-in coolers and the second is under construction.

Work in progress: Judy is still working on the design for the herb and perennial raised beds that will be located near the greenhouse. This task has taken more planning than she thought it would. Wednesday, she was planting a few varieties of basil, plus garden flowers.

Records for the CSA have been set up for this season, and Judy is now finalizing days, pick up times and routes for deliveries. All this information is on the farm website.

A CSA Guide for Doe Run shareholders will be electronically mailed in a week or two.

John and Barry have kept the tractors, planter, and mulch layer working well with regular maintenance.

The entire backfield has been prepared for planting, and the beds have been shaped, drip tape, and plastic mulch laid in preparation for planting more crops. Doe Run succession plants, so once something comes out, something else goes in. That way fresh vegetables are available all season.

Doe Run planted blueberries a few years ago, but at that time, they had no way of irrigating them and so many were lost due to the dry conditions of summer. Blueberries need regular irrigation in Tennessee. Since John installed a full farm irrigation system, getting them established should be easier this time around. One thousand berry plants were ordered this week, and they will arrive next week. The berries that are "buy in" for shareholders are from Lincoln County, and they have always been premium quality with outstanding flavor.


Recipe

Simple Blueberry Muffins

1 cup milk
1 egg
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 cups flour
2 t baking powder
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup blueberries

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl, stir together milk, egg, and oil. Add flour, baking powder, sugar, and blueberries. Gently mix the batter with only a few strokes. Spoon batter into muffin tin. Fill about 1/2 way.

Bake for 20 minutes. Serve warm