February 23, 2025
Greetings from New Hampshire, where we’ve had a good old-fashioned winter with plenty of snow and ice and frigid weather.
Since it seems like we’ll have a late spring, we’re going to delay the opening of Tiny Farmstand until April.
It’s our “quiet time” of year, but we’ve been busy putting up small batches of preserves and elderberry syrup nearly every day. In addition to restocking our larder, we benefit because the heat given off by the simmering fruit and moisture from the boiling hot water bath helps heat our home and provides welcome moisture.
Our snow-loving friend Abbey has had a wonderful winter rolling in the snow and getting lots of sleep - as a 12 1/2 year-old golden retriever should! Outside, the wild birds are grateful that Ralph has kept their feeders well-stocked with their favorite foods, and they welcome Abbey sleeping under the feeders to keep the squirrels at bay.
Ralph’s been busy keeping the greenhouse and solar panels cleared of snow, not to mention our long driveway, and the paths he makes for Abbey’s recreation. I’ve been happily baking bread and pies for him, and he’s been making pasta and lots of wonderful meals.
My seed orders have all been delivered, and I’ve just ordered 720 pounds of organic soil from Vermont Compost Company for seed-starting. As eager as I am to get started, I’ve learned that early April is really the best time to begin this joyous task. We gain so much more daylight every day in April, that seeds started in later waves outcompete those begun earlier and they have stronger, thicker stems and better resiliency. And it’s easier to keep the greenhouse warm and lower energy bills.
I’ve aso ordered a couple hundred more strawberry plants, and a couple fruit trees - Reliance peaches and Damson plums….because I’m just a little crazy….
We’ve been sending out plenty of orders via USPS and all is going well with timely deliveries now that the holiday rush has passed. We have good stock of everything right now, but as always, everything is limited.
We are also very happy to arrange for local pickup for folks nearby who need some Elderberry Syrup (it’s been flying out of here since viruses have been plaguing the general population this winter) or Raspberry Preserves, or whatever your heart desires.
We’re also happy to make pies and cakes for local people by special order - the best way to get in touch is via my email. (We do have a phone, but I don’t keep it in my pocket so I often miss calls.)
It looks like today’s temperature will finally rise above freezing and allow some melting. That should open up our chance to resume our daily walks around the gardens - Abbey’s and my special time together - if I can break a trail with my snowshoes.
I was going to send this letter out with a photo of the snowy view with the bird feeder, but opted instead for this greenhouse photo and promise of bright days to come. It’s from May of last year, just 6 weeks after I began seed-starting.
Peace and love from Patti and Ralph and Abbey the Joyful!
Happy Plants!