. . . and the market at our farm. We always feel encouraged when new faces stop by and we get to give a little tour of our place. We especially love it when we inspire them to go home and start a garden in their back yard.....we like to say something like....'you can do it and we can help'.
Today, two volunteers signed up to lend a hand. Sherri and her son are going to come and rake the goat yard (tons of nice goat berries) in a few weeks and Sarah and her sweet dad are going to join the farm on Wednesdays to seed new starts. Awesome!
We'd closed down the market a bit earlier, posted a sign that said something about "another successful market day at the farm", closed the gates . . .which didn't deter new folk from stopping by and pretty much buying most of what else was in our baskets. More and more we realize that what we have and what we do and even the beauty and sanctuary of this hidden spot in Scottsdale is having a way of bringing community together. For that we're grateful and so we won't close the gates early - any more.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
Life Today At Our Urban Farm
We spent the day catching up on loose ends. But then again, what day doesn't seem to be spent tying knots on loose ends.
Our loose ends were spent primarily preparing the birthing pen for Storm and Marie. That meant the buck pen needing to be finished first. Both of our little guys (bucklings) needed to be transitioned over to their more permanent big boy (buck) pen.
Michael finished a few things on that pen so they'd be safe (we hope from coyotes), have necessary shelter and be able to reach their food and water. The shift went quite well with a stop off to the milking room for each boy to have his turn on the milk stand - for his pedicure. Michael did a great job trimming hooves. We were concerned about the smoothness of the acclimation - mainly that they'd whine for hours because it was a new place. Didn't happen. Yeah!
The doeling/buckling yard (where we kept the boys) needed to be cleaned up. The neighbors oleanders have presented a problem for us. Oleanders are poisonous to goats (and anyone/anything else for that matter). Many times during the day we'd both go into the yard and pick up the little flowerets and leaves that would fall. Today, Michael trimmed them way back so that the goats can't reach them. Sure hope the neighbors like the trim.
This evening, we both completed final touches on the birthing pen. A newly sanitized water pail was hung along with the pail for their alfalfa pellets and alfalfa. Michael opened up a fresh bale of straw to layer the pen. I love that smell. Earthy.
Goats are funny sometimes. Very curious, indeed. We opened the gate to the doeling/buckling yard from the big girl (doe) yard. Of course they came over to where we were working.
The purpose of our birthing pen is just that - a place for each pregnant doe to give birth. A place where we can keep watch on her and a place where we can provide her attention and help if needed.
Since goats are herd animals we put both Storm (due 5/18) and Marie (due 5/22) in the birthing pen for the night. Needless to say, no one's happy in Goat Land at The Simple Farm tonight. It's a shift for everyone. Oh well. I'm calling it a night!
Our loose ends were spent primarily preparing the birthing pen for Storm and Marie. That meant the buck pen needing to be finished first. Both of our little guys (bucklings) needed to be transitioned over to their more permanent big boy (buck) pen.
Michael finished a few things on that pen so they'd be safe (we hope from coyotes), have necessary shelter and be able to reach their food and water. The shift went quite well with a stop off to the milking room for each boy to have his turn on the milk stand - for his pedicure. Michael did a great job trimming hooves. We were concerned about the smoothness of the acclimation - mainly that they'd whine for hours because it was a new place. Didn't happen. Yeah!
The doeling/buckling yard (where we kept the boys) needed to be cleaned up. The neighbors oleanders have presented a problem for us. Oleanders are poisonous to goats (and anyone/anything else for that matter). Many times during the day we'd both go into the yard and pick up the little flowerets and leaves that would fall. Today, Michael trimmed them way back so that the goats can't reach them. Sure hope the neighbors like the trim.
This evening, we both completed final touches on the birthing pen. A newly sanitized water pail was hung along with the pail for their alfalfa pellets and alfalfa. Michael opened up a fresh bale of straw to layer the pen. I love that smell. Earthy.
Goats are funny sometimes. Very curious, indeed. We opened the gate to the doeling/buckling yard from the big girl (doe) yard. Of course they came over to where we were working.
The purpose of our birthing pen is just that - a place for each pregnant doe to give birth. A place where we can keep watch on her and a place where we can provide her attention and help if needed.
Since goats are herd animals we put both Storm (due 5/18) and Marie (due 5/22) in the birthing pen for the night. Needless to say, no one's happy in Goat Land at The Simple Farm tonight. It's a shift for everyone. Oh well. I'm calling it a night!
Friday, April 29, 2011
The Urban Farm Chicks, Today at The Farm . . .
Days like this put a smile on my face.
My day started early with a quick visit to a rummage sale over on the west side of town. I bought two very cute matching vintage chairs (Michael's not so sure about them) and also a few glass juice jars.
Then I headed east toward one of my favorite places - the salvage yard next to the mountain. We needed a few things to finish the buck pen and garden staking. I got so excited I started taking pictures and then thought to myself, "What woman in their right mind would be in a place like this?" I think of this special place as a huge lot full of vintage. Here I posted one of my last finds. I'll post pictures this weekend.
After Michael and I brought home the goods, we worked together pulling up bermuda grass just south of the vintage fence. Then I got busy and planted a few more Charentais melon seeds (you're gonna love em!), Buttercup squash (not sure it's the right timing - but I went with it) and another squash seed. Planting seeds is no easy task. Prepping the hole, filling it with good stuff, placing the seed, setting the drip in place and then covering each seed pocket.
Then, this afternoon, Michael and I had a real treat. Rebecca and Sarah (sisters) of Farmyard paid us the nicest visit. Rebecca and Sarah are Urban Farm Chicks who are rocking Phoenix with their CSA, putting gardens in as many back yards as they can and a ton of other green/earthy things.
Rebecca and Sarah are two women passionate about gardening and helping others do the same. Their philosophy is Grow Locally, Produce organically and Eat Well.
In the short time we chatted and shared stories while sitting on bales of hay in the goat yard, I discovered that both of these women are incredibly hardworking and truly passionate about what they do...and like me, Rebecca wears flip flops as an Urban Farm Chick.
My day started early with a quick visit to a rummage sale over on the west side of town. I bought two very cute matching vintage chairs (Michael's not so sure about them) and also a few glass juice jars.
Then I headed east toward one of my favorite places - the salvage yard next to the mountain. We needed a few things to finish the buck pen and garden staking. I got so excited I started taking pictures and then thought to myself, "What woman in their right mind would be in a place like this?" I think of this special place as a huge lot full of vintage. Here I posted one of my last finds. I'll post pictures this weekend.
After Michael and I brought home the goods, we worked together pulling up bermuda grass just south of the vintage fence. Then I got busy and planted a few more Charentais melon seeds (you're gonna love em!), Buttercup squash (not sure it's the right timing - but I went with it) and another squash seed. Planting seeds is no easy task. Prepping the hole, filling it with good stuff, placing the seed, setting the drip in place and then covering each seed pocket.
Then, this afternoon, Michael and I had a real treat. Rebecca and Sarah (sisters) of Farmyard paid us the nicest visit. Rebecca and Sarah are Urban Farm Chicks who are rocking Phoenix with their CSA, putting gardens in as many back yards as they can and a ton of other green/earthy things.
Rebecca and Sarah are two women passionate about gardening and helping others do the same. Their philosophy is Grow Locally, Produce organically and Eat Well.
In the short time we chatted and shared stories while sitting on bales of hay in the goat yard, I discovered that both of these women are incredibly hardworking and truly passionate about what they do...and like me, Rebecca wears flip flops as an Urban Farm Chick.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Thursday Market
Well, at least almost every Thursday we get up early to harvest the freshest vegetables and gather fresh farm eggs just to fill our market baskets so you can take home the best organic produce for your family table.
We are open Thursdays from 9 until noon and then again at 4 pm until 6 pm.
We are open Thursdays from 9 until noon and then again at 4 pm until 6 pm.
Garden Consultations
The interest for back yard edible gardens is blossoming these days and people have the "want to" but don't have the "how to" and that's where the farm team at The Simple Farm comes in to help.
Master Gardener
Anita, is our Master Gardener and she and her company - Simple Edible Gardens - is available for personal edible garden consultation. Her expertise ranges from in the ground edible gardens to raised beds to garden design.
Backyard Chickens
We can help you incorporate and set up your back yard hen house into your garden area. We even have our own Simple Farm Hen resource for your baby chicks for your new hen house!
Anita Says
Let Anita help you create that simple edible garden in your backyard. She says, "I know I can show you and help you make your edible garden possible."
For more information or questions - email Anita at simpleediblegardens at gmail dot com or
call her @ 602.750.9538.
The possibilities are endless with Simple Edible Gardens.
Master Gardener
Anita, is our Master Gardener and she and her company - Simple Edible Gardens - is available for personal edible garden consultation. Her expertise ranges from in the ground edible gardens to raised beds to garden design.
Consulations
Initial 90 - Minute Consultation Fee is $25 - good till April 1st. Radius outside 10 miles of The Simple Farm has an additional trip charge.
Backyard Chickens
We can help you incorporate and set up your back yard hen house into your garden area. We even have our own Simple Farm Hen resource for your baby chicks for your new hen house!
Anita Says
Let Anita help you create that simple edible garden in your backyard. She says, "I know I can show you and help you make your edible garden possible."
For more information or questions - email Anita at simpleediblegardens at gmail dot com or
call her @ 602.750.9538.
The possibilities are endless with Simple Edible Gardens.
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