First Farmer's Market of 2012

Well...that went fast!  Winter, I mean.  Because today, dawning all bright and green and sunny, is the first farmer's market of 2012.  That's right folks, the Coupeville Farmer's Market opens today!
(Sorry Bayview, folks you've got to wait til April 28th for first market.  But...you can still come to Coupeville! It will be a LOVELY drive today!)

Wow!  What happened to my time for taking naps by the fireplace?  Over and done with for the next 9 months as I jump, muck boots and all, into the yearly growing madness.
I think I say this every year, but I'm REALLY excited for 2012.  I've got a just fantastic crew this year, some folks that have stayed over from last year, some new folks that we met last year and some even newer folks still to arrive.  We've been making lots of "system improvements" on the farm, including (finally!) and actual office for me and a lunch/break room for the crew.  (Which means I can reclaim my home as simply, a home!).  We've acquired a great new Allis Chalmers tractor that is going to help us to plant more intensively and manage weeds better.  And, thanks to support of some generous local based lending, we've got a new greenhouse ready for a bounteous heirloom tomato crop this year and will also be soon purchasing a delivery truck!
And the crops....the lovely, delicious, soul-satisfying crops....This years "crop plan" has columns for over 180 individual named vegetable varieties.  That's a lot of good eating!

We've been seeding since February, with lots of starts getting ready to transplant soon (things like kale, broccoli, lettuce) but also direct sowing whenever we had a chance.  Already in the fields are crops of mustard greens, baby pac choi, radishes, mesclun, spinach, arugula, mache, early potatoes, peas, carrots, beans, fava beans and Walla Walla onions.  And loads of garlic, of course.
For market, we have a mix of so very tender and sweet overwintered crops and the very first of some early plantings,  except to see today at Coupeville:
From Willowood:
* Mesclun Salad Mix bags
* Baby Kale Bags
* Kale Raab (tender and sweet kale florets)
* Collard bunches
* Leeks
* Baby French Breakfast radishes (we expect these to go quick!)
* Rhubarb (first picking!)
* Potatoes - fingerlings
* Dry Beans - Peregions and Barn Floor Mix
* Nettles
Our good friends from Prairie Bottom Farm are bringing:
* Kale bunches
* Overwintered giant scallion bunches
* Chives
* Parsnips
* Carrots
* Rockwell Beans
* Beets
So really, quite a nice selection for the first week of April!  Come on down to the Coupeville market and say hi.  We would love to see you!
Farmer Georgie
Willowood Farm of Ebey's Prairie