Rhubarb, Asparagus, Fiddleheads and Hothouse Tomatoes

The local produce count is climbing despite the unseasonably cool weather. The Local Asparagus is in season, fiddleheads should last another week or so, and the locally grown Rhubarb is now available. We still of course have the gloriously tasty local hot house tomatoes, cucumbers and basil.

Though it's a pity that patio weather hasn't really made a permanent appearance yet, just be thankful that you're not a farmer. One of my growers has had to replant his corn fields 3 times already as his seed has frozen, then rotted, in the ground. Fall plantings of garlic have mostly rotted out, the local onion crops have already been lost once, and the broccoli transplants perished in the night time frosts that we had a few weeks ago. Lucky for us, farmers have no choice but to replant. The only other option would be to have a year with no income but a lot of seed bills.

On the brighter side, perennial plantings such as strawberry, asparagus, and orchards of saskatoon and raspberry are all looking really good. Heavy winter snows meant that the plants were well insulated from the crazily cold winter that we had. AND it's still early enough to make a turn around. If we get some good heat in the next few weeks, the soil will warm up, and things will get back on track. As things stand right now, we're looking at a late growing season, with most crops 2 weeks late. But of course, late is better than never.

I'll keep you all posted.
Take Care
Erin