Spring feels like it's finally within sight, just over the horizon. Lots of new plantings went in last week before the rains returned again. Lots of greenhouse planting on tap for next week. I haven't planted much of anything in the big greenhouse yet. Why the wait? Isn't a greenhouse for winter-sown plantings? After so many recent water woes, I've decided my greenhouse space is more valuable as a dry space than a warm place. It does feel very odd to be putting in field plantings before greenhouse plantings. Holding back that dry space for long wet spells seems the wiser course now, in order to stay on top of the planting schedule.
Mostly I'm just so very hungry for real fresh live food. I feel like a walking advertisement for the value in eating off my farm, where the food is clean from chemicals and still vibrant with life when you get it. I have been eating supermarket food since September, and my body knows it. That food is dead. I go to the grocery store and I'm shocked that anyone has the audacity to charge good money for this junk. Much of it is rotten within a day or two of purchase; other items survive a disturbingly long time in my fridge. I don't feel nourished from it. I haven't been eating anywhere near as much fresh produce as usual because it all turns me off and none of it tastes right. I've been sick more often this one winter than I've been in decades. There's something missing in it all that my body is craving so hard, the weeds outside are looking really good about now.
So April, please hurry up an deliver your lovely living shoots and greens. I'd give almost anything for a real, crisp radish that's not a sad, spongy imposter which bounces off the floor when dropped. Enough sunshine to make a tulip or two brightly bloom wouldn't hurt, either! If you want your share of life-giving food (and flowers), CSA memberships are still available. This is a market-style membership program where you choose what, how much, when, and where you get it. The West Raleigh location is almost full, so don't delay if that's your pickup location of choice!