Wood Duck Farm

January 26th, 2012  

Well after to beginning negotiations over a year ago to purchase an adjacent tract of land, we can finally say "Yep, we've got a back forty!" The idea was originally to secure  a 30 acre tract that became available from a timber company; then low and behold we were able to finagle 10 more acres from another adjacent land owner. Most of the land rests on an elongated sandy knoll. The combination of old alluvial based minerals, along with some subtle elevation relief should provide a great growing environment. So now we have a major project in store as we a 56,000 lb excavator arriving today to begin the task of removing tree stumps that were cut over three years ago. It will take a little while, but hopefully we'll have a cleared field by the middle of March where we can begin amending the soil for cultivation come late spring or early summer. We hope so as we are in need for more tillage acreage.Provided above is google earth aerial view of WDF. The upper triangle, and adjacent box below left,  are the new addition to our farm. The dark colored "tilted hour glass" looking shape are the two ponds that provide year round habitat for frogs, turtles and what else? Wood Ducks of course! Combined acreage of WDF now comprises 87 acres, with our largest exposure bordering the Sam Houston National Forest to the North-Northeast. This Southeast sloping line is almost a mile long.     

What's Growing?    Looks like next week when we begin our Winter CSA program we'll have cauliflower, beets, spinach, broccoli and more. Some of our head lettuce has been a tad "tip burned" by the extreme cold a few weeks ago, but most everything else looks pretty tasty. As the days begin to get longer, production will really begin to ramp up. Unfortunately the weeds begin growing too, as evident with some of our carrot plantings. We planted these carrots in our most mature richest soil. Darn dandelion likes this great soil too.  The carrots are fighting, but the dandelions are winning. Not to worry, we'll soon harvest the carrots, but we'll have a scavenger hunt of sorts in the process. As mentioned last week, we began sowing tomato seeds a few weeks ago and some of them are already a few inches high. The tomato seedlings will grow in our greenhouses until they are ready to be transplanted into the fields in March. Gosh hard to believe that March is just five weeks away. What Else? Over the past month, we have planted about 27,000 onion sets along with more carrots, garlic, beets, cabbage, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, fennel and broccoli. Red seed potatoes should go in the ground in about two weeks.
 
Woodlands Area Home Delivery Service to Begin  We know that some of you thinking "...oh my word, they've really gotten into the hard juice now." Yes sir-ree Bob! We've decided to push "the button" and offer our Woodlands area customers the option of having their shares being delivered to their home or office. Like everything else in life, this will be a learning experience of sorts, but hopefully it will create a model to possibly follow in other areas of Houston. Why the Woodlands? Well we are about 28 miles, which, is pretty close compared to other delivery areas. Deliveries will take place on Thursdays and be restricted to four zip codes, 77380, 77381, 77382 & 77384.  We'll have a FAQ section soon, but no you don't have to be at home to receive deliveries. To learn more and register visit this link Woodlands Home Delivery Program   First deliveries next Thursday, February 2nd. 

Winter/Spring CSA Shares:  Our next CSA program is scheduled to begin next Tuesday, basically the last week of January/first of week of February.   Our anticipated winter harvest over the ten week program will include cold hardy crops such as cauliflower, spinach, brussells sprouts, carrots, beets, collards, onions, kale, purple kohlrabi, cilantro, radishes, mustard greens, salad mix, broccoli, potatoes, stored winter squash etc.  Visit this link to learn more Winter/Sprng CSA, 2012  So how much produces comes in a share? Visit this link  Fall Share Photos and scroll down to get an idea as to what our Full shares received this past Fall. FYI partial shares receive approximately 1/3 less than the full share, (so for example perhaps 5 beets vs. 8.)     

Until Next Time,

Van   

Cell 713 876 8645

www.woodduckfarm.com

csa@woodduckfarm.com

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