Strawberries + Hard Work = Sweet Rewards

No-spray and hand-weeded. That is how we market these strawberries. There is a very good reason naturally grown strawberries from small farms are priced at a premium. They are A LOT of work! All strawberry work is done on the hands and knees. Weeding them is time consuming because the plants are grown close together so you can't just use a tool in between them. Thus the "hand weeded." We do not spray the weeds, so there are a lot of them. Strawberries need to be picked often to prevent the spread of decay when overripe berries are left on the plant.  When picking, those berries with mold should be picked separately from the ripe berries so it is not spread by the picker's hands. That's why our Dads are both seen here weeding and picking strawberries. Fathers are good for a few rows of strawberry maintenance without one complaint!

Birds, these are not for you!

The cherries are starting to ripen and once again we are in competition for our food with the birds. This year we were ready and covered the big tree before they were ripe with four nets to keep birds from reaching the cherries. Our method for covering it is a little unorthodox, but it was a little easier this second time around after we were a little more practiced. We stretched the long nets between two tall bamboo poles and lifted them up and over the tree, making sure each section was covered. Then Vince had to go in from underneath and arrange the nets around the limbs with the bamboo pole. Now bring on the cherries! We're ready.

Our Pot of Gold

I know...this picture has nothing to do with farming- except that rainbows ending on our land can mean two things for us: It is a sign that no, this June rain won't last forever, and there is a possibility that there is gold somewhere on our property. It may not be in the broccoli, but maybe in the strawberries?

Wet Spring

It has been so rainy the last two months that we have not been able to get in the wet gardens or fields very much. Last weekend we were finally able to plant squash and cucumbers and replant some of the sweet corn. We hope for warm summer nights and a late fall so that everything will ripen.
We will be going to the Snohomish Farmers Market next week. This will be our first market for the season and the strawberries are ripening just in time.