tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34849829857215785842024-02-22T10:05:04.545-08:00As Fresh as it GetsWe Hope to share our experience of growing flowers & vegetables on our farm which is between Calgary and Red Deer. Also we invite you to visit our farm to enjoy a first hand experience of the fun you can have on a farm.Eagle Creek Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04760155537054514906noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484982985721578584.post-79457772032543065612012-07-30T14:43:00.003-07:002012-07-30T14:47:42.164-07:00No Lily Festival This Year<br />
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<b>Why No Lily Festival?</b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjO-LPbJuwYFCif-4v_b-0ykpq1dNSghKM0vsFNWh4-Jsgh8c5gZWCh3xN2ryQSsScthjU7GBxl7nymLBv5RAhn7kurdBTGCCBD7C-Jlehb_Vdj3CbOOdM0kTOHcwaf3H4WDHyrTtjLR_B/s1600/lilyfest+pics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjO-LPbJuwYFCif-4v_b-0ykpq1dNSghKM0vsFNWh4-Jsgh8c5gZWCh3xN2ryQSsScthjU7GBxl7nymLBv5RAhn7kurdBTGCCBD7C-Jlehb_Vdj3CbOOdM0kTOHcwaf3H4WDHyrTtjLR_B/s400/lilyfest+pics.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
We have always tried to grow our flowers and vegetables in our U-pick without chemicals. It was 5 years that we sprayed our last herbicide in the U-pick Gardens. As a result the perennial weeds were beginning to take over the gardens in the past few years and especially thrived in last years cool wet spring.<br />
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To combat the perennial weeds we fallowed a new patch of ground last summer and this spring dug up and moved 90% of our perennial flowers, which included all but one tunnel of lilies a row of iris and 4 rows of monkshood. The lilies that we moved grew very short this year and bloomed much earlier than we had expected.<br />
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As a result of all this we just will not have enough lilies to run the festival as we had in the past. There are still many flowers and vegetables to pick in the gardens, so we will still be open for U-pick 7 days a week once we open August 4th. We will have a limited number of lilies, lots of sunflowers & other annuals and perennials for picking. There will also be a great selection of potatoes, carrots, beets, beans, peas and a few summer squash.<br />
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Our goal long term goal on the farm is, in 2014, to have Canada's only Certified Organic U-pick Flower, Vegetable, Strawberry Patch & Sunflower + Corn Maze all in one farm. The road to reach this goal has not been easy, but we believe it is important to ensure a sustainable farm for future years to come.<br />
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We appreciate your patience and understanding, and believe that we still have a fantastic experience awaiting your family at the farm this year. After this year of re-building our plants plans are to start the lily festival again next summer.Eagle Creek Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04760155537054514906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484982985721578584.post-9018218488956179752012-06-27T16:00:00.000-07:002012-06-27T16:00:03.973-07:00<h2>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Opening day coming soon!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our projected date for the opening of the farm is August 1. As we work toward that date, I'm happy to report that the flowers and veggies are all progressing well. On any given day, members of our farm crew are either out in the strawberry fields, weeding the planters or hoeing the perennial flowers. We've been hand-pulling weeds out of the potato patches, too. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Speaking of strawberries . . .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the first year that we're offering u-pick strawberries on the farm. We've got over 23,000 plants growing in 30 elevated trays, which are similar to raised beds. This innovative method of planting will make it so easy for you to just pluck off the strawberries from the plants. Our farm crew has noticed a proliferation of strawberry blossoms on the plants this week, and we estimate that within a month, strawberries will start ripening. We use no sprays on the berry plants.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bouquet building!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We've created our first bouquets of the season, with monkshood, lady's mantle and iris grasses. It's fantastic to see the vibrant summer blooms. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">A-maze-ing growth in the sunflower and corn maze.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunflower and corn plants are growing well. This is the first year that we're not spraying the mazes for weed control. Instead, I'm out in my tractor, cultivating, which is working well to control the weeds. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Baby chicks on the farm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last week, we had 70 baby chicks hatch on the farm. Our adult flock consists of seven different heritage breeds, which historically have a strong constitution, as well as being extremely hardy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17506249748101833228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484982985721578584.post-50383329919745616372012-01-20T22:47:00.000-08:002012-01-20T22:47:09.301-08:00Straw Bale Chicken Coop<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zB_XxCWugNsZUBYUtJsUSzdLPiA0L5NvrrS3lfMSS37shqJSgC-4RvVTHUOG3m_w1HRpAqArFNlC_TohtVuF9X_BZRgrtYyIi89ZWWqkxoewjBnXCX7XYYQXbzjNvHKjGHOvGaaAShpZ/s1600/chicken3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zB_XxCWugNsZUBYUtJsUSzdLPiA0L5NvrrS3lfMSS37shqJSgC-4RvVTHUOG3m_w1HRpAqArFNlC_TohtVuF9X_BZRgrtYyIi89ZWWqkxoewjBnXCX7XYYQXbzjNvHKjGHOvGaaAShpZ/s200/chicken3.jpg" width="200" /></a>A small flock of laying hens has lived on the farm for the past 3 years. They were just a typical Leghorn that comes in the mail or to the local store each spring. It has been a fantastic addition to the farm. I hardly remember what a store bought egg tastes like any more. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidgbhsCMJa7Z3Q_hF5E1r-GtXPUyhQVUkveD__U4J1RCqjsPAWY_IlUkQ84T1y-2CNy1SgNGaGgxEx_UL4awQYEgpWxQZdORWSDmeG0Tfi3A9VUFETm6sdfPkKJTNoqC4LY0Y9gNEvJWh/s1600/coop5+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidgbhsCMJa7Z3Q_hF5E1r-GtXPUyhQVUkveD__U4J1RCqjsPAWY_IlUkQ84T1y-2CNy1SgNGaGgxEx_UL4awQYEgpWxQZdORWSDmeG0Tfi3A9VUFETm6sdfPkKJTNoqC4LY0Y9gNEvJWh/s200/coop5+copy.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
It was decided last year that it was time to expand our little chicken operation and start selling free range eggs. So instead of Leghorns, our flock consists of 7 different heritage breeds of laying hens. Also instead of building a regular old barn style chicken coop. Straw bales became the means of construction. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7i4hp6U8rXdxFX6xPTQn7UgIh2GtJ-ONU-iRCId0spyKQI10APV-xbOwK3DDT1aER7AWSbAc9oToE6DniAK-3n758XJUkE00Dk7XuPIPy21JPWZ7vSuVtihnndf15iJ7uhdAqATsyZEi/s1600/coop55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7i4hp6U8rXdxFX6xPTQn7UgIh2GtJ-ONU-iRCId0spyKQI10APV-xbOwK3DDT1aER7AWSbAc9oToE6DniAK-3n758XJUkE00Dk7XuPIPy21JPWZ7vSuVtihnndf15iJ7uhdAqATsyZEi/s200/coop55.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nliFOCeprttsommRG6IlYY4wt-XBM8xzmDMaehDXdX6vLnsJfTvQmCAg4-g7Ct-cvyl-y-dpju1Mgvg5jXxwqS8E45_6Y_Yf0DziYeFWP-7nC31PDwUkp90Qq27uacZrHuGtvlaxl2Pe/s1600/coop45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nliFOCeprttsommRG6IlYY4wt-XBM8xzmDMaehDXdX6vLnsJfTvQmCAg4-g7Ct-cvyl-y-dpju1Mgvg5jXxwqS8E45_6Y_Yf0DziYeFWP-7nC31PDwUkp90Qq27uacZrHuGtvlaxl2Pe/s200/coop45.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvMZ280z-Rj2SabHG9mfGr8vOqOAwfS-xCt1RR0uovgx2M-TdCe1K5aAdKmJ7aCWh1sWktVBAUpK0su9CMAWCRhMKXOq2ulU1JmmfhZqZfX3AVyy9vuEIdAchdc3nkYbY4iVOgFlcdaeT/s1600/coop+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvMZ280z-Rj2SabHG9mfGr8vOqOAwfS-xCt1RR0uovgx2M-TdCe1K5aAdKmJ7aCWh1sWktVBAUpK0su9CMAWCRhMKXOq2ulU1JmmfhZqZfX3AVyy9vuEIdAchdc3nkYbY4iVOgFlcdaeT/s200/coop+7.jpg" width="200" /></a>The outside dimensions of the new coop are 50 feet x 20 feet and there is about 900ft2 of space on the inside. We built the coop on on old concrete pad that had access to the farm water supply. The one thing I didn't like about our last coop was hauling water each and every day to the animals. This was an exceptionally miserable job on the -30 C days we get in the winter.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdsrEWXUSsL6dUj5zhPt-S_P3lDpttfL2ClGHdPDdEjxwq2dRxdTBP4vcwVzBPM2i_s0VH6hdpIuQj68ZoG0-WJ6-k2_d4D8MFKU96apiyHxaJ1t4agCCndQLnlvFpY1yvjgGsjEf_rzmz/s1600/coop6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdsrEWXUSsL6dUj5zhPt-S_P3lDpttfL2ClGHdPDdEjxwq2dRxdTBP4vcwVzBPM2i_s0VH6hdpIuQj68ZoG0-WJ6-k2_d4D8MFKU96apiyHxaJ1t4agCCndQLnlvFpY1yvjgGsjEf_rzmz/s200/coop6.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chickens checking out progress</td></tr>
</tbody></table>In addition to a new chicken coop we also needed a new set up for our greenhouse. So if you are wondering why the rafters are so high, later picture will show why we built the coop this way.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-h-KGeNboQxsoZPz8dd20jUr5Cvgu7ftQM4aUQNXh4wwuRgibkzv4MCkGTfUgYr5DqtYqgcaWQhoURZAuxZtlbtpnTAUcBsszDL2OI4EiIhWGRTdAF43tlZ3szZeN8MGJxBRT9uOR9Khr/s1600/coop8+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-h-KGeNboQxsoZPz8dd20jUr5Cvgu7ftQM4aUQNXh4wwuRgibkzv4MCkGTfUgYr5DqtYqgcaWQhoURZAuxZtlbtpnTAUcBsszDL2OI4EiIhWGRTdAF43tlZ3szZeN8MGJxBRT9uOR9Khr/s200/coop8+copy.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIPG2FBwJ5K6HLf3IWRFQCgrSxgPrUL4UdUFthpRUEfu6gQInq980IyrylGf_2qWXdty0iPApw1nmvk4gQcBEWJ7ZFE3Z1Yty76AdWBwIH7KrtqCBYTPIk-99-UM1XqF1GcJsOuJ6VQY9/s1600/chicken+coop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIPG2FBwJ5K6HLf3IWRFQCgrSxgPrUL4UdUFthpRUEfu6gQInq980IyrylGf_2qWXdty0iPApw1nmvk4gQcBEWJ7ZFE3Z1Yty76AdWBwIH7KrtqCBYTPIk-99-UM1XqF1GcJsOuJ6VQY9/s200/chicken+coop.jpg" width="200" /></a>Probably the one part of the job that I underestimated the most, on how much time it would take, was the plaster. We used over 5 yards of sand in mixing up the concrete mixture that was spread on the walls. The job was started in September, and we only just finished the inside last week.. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI05kPxkaRbe2LSYdgCvOS-JtVTUQhllZPfLPQKwMij9WaQHydA2ErLLm2qTLj7qPf7R7srLYiNlmvd0TyZl28mh2cwasb9FlJ6CNEJNgMXjbLMJ5Kd70blJ3h4G28C1W_6VwfhdlLDdcb/s1600/chicken1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI05kPxkaRbe2LSYdgCvOS-JtVTUQhllZPfLPQKwMij9WaQHydA2ErLLm2qTLj7qPf7R7srLYiNlmvd0TyZl28mh2cwasb9FlJ6CNEJNgMXjbLMJ5Kd70blJ3h4G28C1W_6VwfhdlLDdcb/s200/chicken1.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi344mWI2KmWvoKTqXN9J_hFps5EqmAZN8nNdP7mWGWuy_R8GwJTPX6xxtjQzuEMoDEtB0UJ36ii5GYXimSM8rIQSr-SjGlLu6QBwGdQQXiMzQYRndaEmSqti1jVqXhsLew29szMa8hC-fx/s1600/eggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi344mWI2KmWvoKTqXN9J_hFps5EqmAZN8nNdP7mWGWuy_R8GwJTPX6xxtjQzuEMoDEtB0UJ36ii5GYXimSM8rIQSr-SjGlLu6QBwGdQQXiMzQYRndaEmSqti1jVqXhsLew29szMa8hC-fx/s200/eggs.jpg" width="200" /></a>Here are some of the birds we have in the coop and the fun colored eggs they lay. We have a couple birds that lay a chocolate brown egg.<br />
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Plans are to sell most of our eggs through our CSA <a href="http://www.eaglecreekfarms.ca/csa.htm" target="_blank">Eagle Creek Farms Community Shared Agriculutre</a>. Share families can purchase a dozen eggs every second week. Any extra eggs will be sold in our farm store during the summer or possibly farmers markets.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9SrioyexCe2CqUSAX0xYv9iT9Loj-fMqQjVmIiJTEuYp-bQDG9lMUIKLrVJlQH58tF1YmHwf7P6_22p61fCJ_Qu9L7fzdgiSZBqkW05LVCPOM8i08Kw_cJ9JCjuVmer2OkDaK_09f0f5A/s1600/coop10+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9SrioyexCe2CqUSAX0xYv9iT9Loj-fMqQjVmIiJTEuYp-bQDG9lMUIKLrVJlQH58tF1YmHwf7P6_22p61fCJ_Qu9L7fzdgiSZBqkW05LVCPOM8i08Kw_cJ9JCjuVmer2OkDaK_09f0f5A/s200/coop10+copy.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>As I mentioned above, we also were in need of a new greenhouse. Not new in the sense of bran new. Instead a re-modified greenhouse in a better location. We also had to haul water to our previous greenhouse. The new greenhouse will be built off the high south wall of the chicken coop. It will be about 13 high at the peak and extend out 25 feet. We have only moved our small header house into the location at the moment, but I will post pictures of the greenhouse in construction when we are done.Eagle Creek Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04760155537054514906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484982985721578584.post-88391352255988949522012-01-13T07:56:00.000-08:002012-01-13T07:56:31.181-08:00Seed Potato Season<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiry0D-1_2aITI1eUB3dugloZURBOfTsGDahs7UbT_mf53d_nqRediwlyeXn4bacAjzDhavKlCvu-BMJN9ghRQ7Y8AWFdBMVCAVbjfmv_AAhyphenhyphenX01UnNua_r4zVvKyH_Ua4-aOcp9QAYP5Eg/s1600/german+butterball.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiry0D-1_2aITI1eUB3dugloZURBOfTsGDahs7UbT_mf53d_nqRediwlyeXn4bacAjzDhavKlCvu-BMJN9ghRQ7Y8AWFdBMVCAVbjfmv_AAhyphenhyphenX01UnNua_r4zVvKyH_Ua4-aOcp9QAYP5Eg/s1600/german+butterball.gif" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigudER5r0J_bFnYTyx31iJig_QAaXIvVq0HauvXZhuUkdhTj4ImKzZW2YLLQlYtSCKzKGD4Fwxp2Jw_7vgtyNbCcH6IeJJW_gfgOF9Z_Ns3bg64Cfn1c-nXeS92Amz85YIogsnLUBVZPB_/s1600/frenchfingerling.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigudER5r0J_bFnYTyx31iJig_QAaXIvVq0HauvXZhuUkdhTj4ImKzZW2YLLQlYtSCKzKGD4Fwxp2Jw_7vgtyNbCcH6IeJJW_gfgOF9Z_Ns3bg64Cfn1c-nXeS92Amz85YIogsnLUBVZPB_/s1600/frenchfingerling.gif" /></a>No, we are not in the fields just yet, although plenty of warm weather this winter sure has me thinking that we may have an early spring, but we will have to wait to see how the next few month unfold.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvknrFq4d5a_NX9luSiWF5hh4WYlDZVuq_6KCP6tBG8yyn2DPmCuimDGD7JwjU-f76iXqFYQzwf5Uo4bK3kK-qHMEPITC4tDcQ5NpODKv7tS8cPggeeAKsfiMYUHKknpwqrEBLIzn9_OAF/s1600/norland.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvknrFq4d5a_NX9luSiWF5hh4WYlDZVuq_6KCP6tBG8yyn2DPmCuimDGD7JwjU-f76iXqFYQzwf5Uo4bK3kK-qHMEPITC4tDcQ5NpODKv7tS8cPggeeAKsfiMYUHKknpwqrEBLIzn9_OAF/s1600/norland.gif" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuPL-QWUHP5t-63jBvUMncvFmxVQTZjUz3HEnd4mwvPiYgj76VZRxyvO6kVcSg9VB1cc7zVcmwGhpkyRxvDVbHdoyPfGyazHf3hyphenhyphenriZaWYmLw-ZdQ4Xl7Pb-LZo4B-s3rM1eg9EbZOkry/s1600/purple+viking.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuPL-QWUHP5t-63jBvUMncvFmxVQTZjUz3HEnd4mwvPiYgj76VZRxyvO6kVcSg9VB1cc7zVcmwGhpkyRxvDVbHdoyPfGyazHf3hyphenhyphenriZaWYmLw-ZdQ4Xl7Pb-LZo4B-s3rM1eg9EbZOkry/s1600/purple+viking.gif" /></a>It is Seed Potato Season because we have finalized our 2012 Seed Potato Catalogue and are now taking orders. This year we are proud to offer our largest selection in our history of growing potatoes. You will find 38 varieties in our Catalogue this season. <a href="http://www.seedpotatoes.ca/catalogue.htm" target="_blank">2012 Seed Potato Catalogue </a><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5wVvodmv0BPfZ9x8bajMu0HhGCVV_hqT-YlqG1miLl0T-36KPontFG8MriL8TLPbLi0FRJtix9yUVjdQCjC84DoovEgzrx1DHXAiuw-UVtgbwTfgW0GaS9EF7UinLGuc5iVycIPbOXw4/s1600/lindzer.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5wVvodmv0BPfZ9x8bajMu0HhGCVV_hqT-YlqG1miLl0T-36KPontFG8MriL8TLPbLi0FRJtix9yUVjdQCjC84DoovEgzrx1DHXAiuw-UVtgbwTfgW0GaS9EF7UinLGuc5iVycIPbOXw4/s1600/lindzer.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>If the selection is a little overwhelming, here is our 2011 best sellers list.<br />
On the left is German Butterball, Purple Viking & Lindzer Deleketess.<br />
On the right is French Fingerling & Norland<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIY5-ZT6wpSJrDXi5SYgb7MTPShyYyjxke8Rg76eDh-Qam8HrmG3ih0ijOIUqAHolCKpjPP9CP2lv2ZEoky3mWEZ9sZQizHVEucfGmyAiW4uEvVrMoFpHrcNJeaJobGFxPuhhQSnku81Zc/s1600/norland.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Eagle Creek Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04760155537054514906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484982985721578584.post-23586665327440322002011-11-01T17:06:00.000-07:002011-11-01T17:06:15.307-07:00Winter is Closing In...<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FlVGpLENQIPigz2W4h9R3GdhUBl6ANL9s8nWUuJOm4EyVbkJukdUC4j2bb0_jFthyphenhyphenXeXIqVXBghrDzayAeXQgOtz7UeZoUOGCz_BbzScLJTSTIYlAGv7I8nX9hzm6U7Uo3bmo3RjE-kT/s1600/wintershare.gif" /></div><br />
<a href="http://www.eaglecreekfarms.ca/wintercsaregister.htm" target="_blank"></a>For the first time EVER, we are going to sell vegetables throughout the winter, both at a farmers market and with CSA vegetable Share Deliveries. We have about 5 tones of veggies in the shed, which should be enough for about 100 Families in our CSA program and 8 weeks of markets, hopefully we still have product in February. For more information on our CSA or markets check out our website. <a href="http://www.eaglecreekfarms.ca/">www.eaglecreekfarms.ca</a> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LcTWa_YyJ2P3avGa-q79o4_XI7bJrXNm8MnEbxEYTQySDtgjnXnlPXHBfMEcrwVYC9Re6_UHjH0IjQew5at7czRpLx1a-yPVGJIl2DUnretowazfnllHanxp5-qXWCIN_TfXpTPdKfFm/s1600/chicken+coop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LcTWa_YyJ2P3avGa-q79o4_XI7bJrXNm8MnEbxEYTQySDtgjnXnlPXHBfMEcrwVYC9Re6_UHjH0IjQew5at7czRpLx1a-yPVGJIl2DUnretowazfnllHanxp5-qXWCIN_TfXpTPdKfFm/s200/chicken+coop.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8AaAiPsIBe84RPjcIS-JvSzsRtEH2WDA3c_dtxnNtKzHFyYNIFgKxpabNq76_pCsVParAr-c_fgJ05C7l2dqPwQc3evsJnceuD9SURg7cpYj4tshe61DsRyMqB-v69TPU22ASKiczcTHq/s1600/greeenhouse4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8AaAiPsIBe84RPjcIS-JvSzsRtEH2WDA3c_dtxnNtKzHFyYNIFgKxpabNq76_pCsVParAr-c_fgJ05C7l2dqPwQc3evsJnceuD9SURg7cpYj4tshe61DsRyMqB-v69TPU22ASKiczcTHq/s200/greeenhouse4.jpg" width="200" /></a>As usual there are plenty of projects lined up for the winter months. First is to take down our old greenhouse. It was a great temporary solution to serve our greenhouse needs over the past 2 years, but we now need a to step up. Plans are to build it off the North side of our chicken coop. We will install a better ventilation system along with an enhanced heating system. A set of solar thermal panels have been in a shed unused for the past couple years, but will soon be placed on the roof of the chicken coop. Between utilizing Passive Solar heat retention in the greenhouse, we will be able to warm water with the stove & solar thermal panels that can be used to heat the building at night. If all goes to plan we should be able to start germinating plants in February, then take our last harvest the end of November... <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2vSZg2U_Yol3JdqusRKZ77mhyTvkwtYbwY6Izep3OjO7o5sWVJnXDjj2oBbgucxDvamjsPUoT2qTfZJTs789C76TViAbIU8xlWB1ubjFkCCeCXfyjCw8sYlgc7lxidJjaV0mrXdnkxo7/s1600/christmastree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2vSZg2U_Yol3JdqusRKZ77mhyTvkwtYbwY6Izep3OjO7o5sWVJnXDjj2oBbgucxDvamjsPUoT2qTfZJTs789C76TViAbIU8xlWB1ubjFkCCeCXfyjCw8sYlgc7lxidJjaV0mrXdnkxo7/s200/christmastree.jpg" width="134" /></a>I took a stroll through the Christmas Trees this past week. Next summer it will be time to learn how to prune a christmas tree, some of the trees in our first planting are nearly 2 feet tall. It has taken them 3 years to get to this point, so I don't expect any will be ready for cutting for another until 2016 at the earliest. Each year we are planting more trees, so once we do open, I am hoping for a fairly consistent supply of christmas trees every year.Eagle Creek Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04760155537054514906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484982985721578584.post-66473208606433064852011-09-26T19:01:00.000-07:002011-09-26T19:01:32.833-07:00Octover EventsSummer has come to an end, although this past weekend of 30 degree weather made us think otherwise... But it has, however, that doesn't mean it is the end of the season here at the farm. October is a great time to visit the farm in Fall Harvest Fashion. Our U-pick will be closing this week, however, we will have a great selection of vegetables in our farm store.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJeUjwaIy72QKyxIHw1iNKulBQbmjhA9lW4J6QaNHt61q9mwB1i6rG8HLcpBfPal2TlKlHnxsNvUgt15dAK3IGYRAJ0ou0TqcP_nh5l1KSM-7amEZuRUMfcZxYJTrEx8GGLSubikYkUg-/s1600/festaddblog+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJeUjwaIy72QKyxIHw1iNKulBQbmjhA9lW4J6QaNHt61q9mwB1i6rG8HLcpBfPal2TlKlHnxsNvUgt15dAK3IGYRAJ0ou0TqcP_nh5l1KSM-7amEZuRUMfcZxYJTrEx8GGLSubikYkUg-/s1600/festaddblog+copy.jpg" /></a><b>Pumpkin Festival - Weekends in October </b><br />
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Until the 16th of October we will be hosting our fall harvest activities. Of course the highlight is always our corn and sunflower maze. Without a hard frost the corn is still green and the sunflowers have just finished their bloom. Sunflowers are great this time of year because you can snack on the seeds as you navigate the maze.In addition to the mazes your families can enjoy wagon rides, our farm animals and face painting. Don't forget we will have tones of pumpkins for you.<br />
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<b>Harvesttime Country Drive <a href="http://www.countrydrive.ca/">www.countrydrive.ca</a></b> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJf4or5XZhEBPCo8KtJpgkhrvpQnhALMYru-WU9QpF95mWdqCvOK5M-CjvtlI-DGCvWE9L6Zr6Fxk3pUjz99ZXHtsXQ0O_dshDzTeHOVXbIIOP5M9bTSZD5Q4G8mf41l98FIuzc2gULJNp/s1600/pumpkins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJf4or5XZhEBPCo8KtJpgkhrvpQnhALMYru-WU9QpF95mWdqCvOK5M-CjvtlI-DGCvWE9L6Zr6Fxk3pUjz99ZXHtsXQ0O_dshDzTeHOVXbIIOP5M9bTSZD5Q4G8mf41l98FIuzc2gULJNp/s200/pumpkins.jpg" width="200" /></a>Also this coming weekend 7 Country Drive operations will be open for our fall Showcase weekend. The Country Drive is a collection of over 25 rural operations who open their doors to the public through out the year. The harvest drive will showcase fall farm activities & harvest along with shopping at our unique rural stores. The Drive runs from 11-5 October 1st & 2nd.<br />
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We look forward to seeing you all out this fall.Eagle Creek Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04760155537054514906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484982985721578584.post-12298194730713311312011-09-20T20:32:00.001-07:002011-09-20T20:41:17.077-07:00Preparing for winter<div><p>We have had our first couple frosts on the farm, which calls the end for many veggies, but not everything.  Now before the snow starts falling it is now time to get a few things in the freezer.  Last night we blanched and froze a bunch of swiss chard.  Really easy, we boiled the chard for <br>
1-2 min, then cooled it freezing water for 5min.  We then froze it in round picks to be used over the next few months... Plans are to use it in soups, meat loafs and what ever else we may have traditionally used frozen spinach.</p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzsr7LKVj6-NZud9z-GDhzx63UCLhO_qPOu7VO7DYrB8a2BkCelYfBzKbN2c46NRua9pPoLbdrULCSRFOw5JqETKPbeMm7AH73FoaeDC4XVJZmd_Yk_R3LRU6xlp2-6sdvf_KeY7Nc40G/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApu1dgn08rOvKr9NK4dUB8VyNFAIH27ZqNOLYR99BhNQY0GqWiU3-wk6PdtXdKg5UxO5vvaE4jsZlDvJC3qdShofxvclEyNPzDBWIXml9hTiffQOUPFoRZgxR1NTJK1QkaHloWogbnnFn/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvg-_5ekP9Gc44rPBLLyNkcxuNU3eYT7KeE-MeHnhJEKaMcbE3gaJhxIqbiLcvamXTe1WwF-iDWdgC86W0tjX_Y9FO9LmDcDbuHQ5fSLzweeRl3vq3HvdtLB6CF3OvacPimw6155iS2v5/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurN0HMTCxDkQE4JeBDGidfkaaMOfZkdC2pW38LNuCGAJ3O9nkMHBxeO2nKYAhQiSSljn73kUglijCOIHfpWvKFreEb7IrVzElJEv__eD6-xbwV2Ihn1g1Udd_jw_MSv6NTyB3A2hlmBXY/' /></div>Eagle Creek Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04760155537054514906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484982985721578584.post-9470922705271499312011-09-12T12:14:00.000-07:002011-09-12T12:14:25.585-07:00Straw Bale Chicken Coop, Day 1 & 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhMuWDxFEm1q8DtZ-k2EfU60bfOsq0UqaqW93ox9m8pWZEye8Bvb6P0NUDGvWTRzvnJ_eHPyoeX85PEJ6JxEqD4IfW2hqXck8RYN48jntEtvjstKQy4X1DaCGjKRu8TrkVcii06ME4N-n/s1600/chicken1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhMuWDxFEm1q8DtZ-k2EfU60bfOsq0UqaqW93ox9m8pWZEye8Bvb6P0NUDGvWTRzvnJ_eHPyoeX85PEJ6JxEqD4IfW2hqXck8RYN48jntEtvjstKQy4X1DaCGjKRu8TrkVcii06ME4N-n/s1600/chicken1.jpg" /></a></div> We have been planning to build a chicken coop all summer. Well actually the initial plan was to have it started in June, but as long as we can get it up before the cold fall weather sets in we will be alright.<br />
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The coop is situated on an existing concrete pad, so we had to create a level foundation to set the bales on. I think we started about 3 weeks ago with the foundation, creating the windows, rafters and top plate. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8YU1ETmHUY9kEGns9I6SLdQZ840ihjda6sfZdbdoF-9g2RJWMT1Jtcvr2e0djNuJDqCxZAepn7wcWop0aE8_qajyplT5D7-A8VbpvYyi2AnfbWYsNyBG20wyDDGvDNbVcW4zTM5Tv88Hy/s1600/chicken2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8YU1ETmHUY9kEGns9I6SLdQZ840ihjda6sfZdbdoF-9g2RJWMT1Jtcvr2e0djNuJDqCxZAepn7wcWop0aE8_qajyplT5D7-A8VbpvYyi2AnfbWYsNyBG20wyDDGvDNbVcW4zTM5Tv88Hy/s200/chicken2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO68lCVi6DY1msifXF5iJXWZyzIG8axmz0lZA3c3qjHAPQ8uFdOZ2IOP7E1Nefqx8mHLInzqCtggTDbEIMwm7mlAIgMf4JppraSbPg5YkhQ0hReNzJ8qGrrfY_zIz59dlvbw5qZPar8_Dg/s1600/chicken3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO68lCVi6DY1msifXF5iJXWZyzIG8axmz0lZA3c3qjHAPQ8uFdOZ2IOP7E1Nefqx8mHLInzqCtggTDbEIMwm7mlAIgMf4JppraSbPg5YkhQ0hReNzJ8qGrrfY_zIz59dlvbw5qZPar8_Dg/s200/chicken3.jpg" width="200" /></a>Saturday morning we set in place the first bales. Surprisingly for a straw bale building, there is very little straw bale work to do. The bales go up just like legos, only a little heavier. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbgKNSxrduAn0K5Xd5V5JsKBt3ZyfB680Pwpr59GJTCb8eK7-Cs66SIiJwnXt1AmS-GrBawogA0Lmp_sU_KnNuuWnP6mB7HT3Jfm7k531pHZ-b3-UZGfS0YoyltGRF0_QuY-4Td2oOcxO/s1600/chicken4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbgKNSxrduAn0K5Xd5V5JsKBt3ZyfB680Pwpr59GJTCb8eK7-Cs66SIiJwnXt1AmS-GrBawogA0Lmp_sU_KnNuuWnP6mB7HT3Jfm7k531pHZ-b3-UZGfS0YoyltGRF0_QuY-4Td2oOcxO/s1600/chicken4.jpg" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMJ1ltVyFqvtOmaE_9wyT6hC45FwINWri_sPEmowTEDDmDENDA7Syua-BtIzizT8DR6Ex-b55X1mLFb5b23VoqrdVYCnp4LxJPS-E-LvlhT4IB4Dv9f61N7HHFJ9PADxWY57POIt_IPxE/s1600/chicken5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMJ1ltVyFqvtOmaE_9wyT6hC45FwINWri_sPEmowTEDDmDENDA7Syua-BtIzizT8DR6Ex-b55X1mLFb5b23VoqrdVYCnp4LxJPS-E-LvlhT4IB4Dv9f61N7HHFJ9PADxWY57POIt_IPxE/s200/chicken5.jpg" width="200" /></a>By 6:00 all the bales, windows and top plate were in place, one of the walls was braced and the tarps went up..<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxv7wngz-gVzVznbH3zc48SRR4ELzzrC0SR94333FZibx3ISCQlu01RvjuZgozCf8tZlZr-UEtWNSlNQnwydYaGWzRdRU6z53akfJO7P0I1vxPxMsTU3VvSX_ItIoFr4HvxfWe_Mgvb-4/s1600/chicken6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxv7wngz-gVzVznbH3zc48SRR4ELzzrC0SR94333FZibx3ISCQlu01RvjuZgozCf8tZlZr-UEtWNSlNQnwydYaGWzRdRU6z53akfJO7P0I1vxPxMsTU3VvSX_ItIoFr4HvxfWe_Mgvb-4/s200/chicken6.jpg" width="200" /></a>All was great until sunday afternoon when the winds picked up and blew over the north facing unsupported wall.. Fortunately no people or chickens were inside at the time. Also the north wall was the most basic, no windows or doors, so it only took us 2 hours to but back up..Eagle Creek Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04760155537054514906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484982985721578584.post-79636282457263709692011-07-08T18:35:00.000-07:002011-07-08T18:35:57.484-07:00Wind Storm<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1iWQTKBdyckCMY36haaj5kFNPk9kw9lLPH5ARkDMBNlUfCbJnvO-pmR0Cc7UhMDBiuRNjiA5yvkvQ6LWimYO0MmDmYdxHE6S9pTSxdyyqFpUeAp8_o7q0dmJKrIyeXCFOhSOlavJ7yNHH/s1600/storm1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1iWQTKBdyckCMY36haaj5kFNPk9kw9lLPH5ARkDMBNlUfCbJnvO-pmR0Cc7UhMDBiuRNjiA5yvkvQ6LWimYO0MmDmYdxHE6S9pTSxdyyqFpUeAp8_o7q0dmJKrIyeXCFOhSOlavJ7yNHH/s200/storm1.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0a4vb6Ri8CqlXdYfWQe_scVCFPHnwlPWVDyWLH4wsR1UbYTSe0oOp1k6NyVQVs1ad831kBznDc6Y8_caK4205vU4Y6tDkoEmTt2lW0y5lwTOwnd812dKP5F4QQzNgexC8bF6phDA9Dyl/s1600/storm3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0a4vb6Ri8CqlXdYfWQe_scVCFPHnwlPWVDyWLH4wsR1UbYTSe0oOp1k6NyVQVs1ad831kBznDc6Y8_caK4205vU4Y6tDkoEmTt2lW0y5lwTOwnd812dKP5F4QQzNgexC8bF6phDA9Dyl/s320/storm3.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnR-54Dmjt2npFD7t9dDaGvq8O2GHBC7ulVJk_0ymHXVPbhuNJqa6cjg4tPmzAw2v0lh36QO2eOFGL6qRDb0on1CbFrRunlbgqdpz6ZLeQJGX-cT33jMG4sLpUFVCqQpScVe2V5bqnbisa/s1600/storm5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnR-54Dmjt2npFD7t9dDaGvq8O2GHBC7ulVJk_0ymHXVPbhuNJqa6cjg4tPmzAw2v0lh36QO2eOFGL6qRDb0on1CbFrRunlbgqdpz6ZLeQJGX-cT33jMG4sLpUFVCqQpScVe2V5bqnbisa/s200/storm5.jpg" width="200" /></a>Last night we had some pretty crazy weather on the farm. After the storm had cleared I knew there would be some damage, but I had no idea what was in store until I went on a tour of the farm. The corner of our machinery shed was ripped off and tossed 500 m to the west. This shed has withstood storms for the past 40 years, so last nights winds were far above normal.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9aO-Oq-ieudhdXb55q4P1CzEdqptZFCgK-hpphQAKa9NlKBAWMdKYpvGkjIRJKKF4SPZVSrFAn9Agz7dgfEjObLyU75Q5e3vsVV0RP-sBD5q7UUrnUUP_6qQzILlcNLVQfRkD_CYwCHP3/s1600/storm4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9aO-Oq-ieudhdXb55q4P1CzEdqptZFCgK-hpphQAKa9NlKBAWMdKYpvGkjIRJKKF4SPZVSrFAn9Agz7dgfEjObLyU75Q5e3vsVV0RP-sBD5q7UUrnUUP_6qQzILlcNLVQfRkD_CYwCHP3/s200/storm4.jpg" width="200" /></a>These next pictures are of our plastic and fabric hoop houses that we use to cover broccoli, Cauliflower, Peppers, Basil, Tomatoes & lilies. The wind bent the hoops right to the ground on one tunnel and tore the plastic clean off 4 more. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPw2zJUga7U4OLjtRXVIyN2UHCXd-biELSjFZ6bhMa-jJgi_Bkjb0GWu5BqtzoW5ZYvqAhiN3M_rP-jhhKBQcZj7x6kQAtSj3tKgwh8StBgz9iAprP7C0yQTnlvcI0v6yeEhQsVIuTIro/s1600/storm2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPw2zJUga7U4OLjtRXVIyN2UHCXd-biELSjFZ6bhMa-jJgi_Bkjb0GWu5BqtzoW5ZYvqAhiN3M_rP-jhhKBQcZj7x6kQAtSj3tKgwh8StBgz9iAprP7C0yQTnlvcI0v6yeEhQsVIuTIro/s200/storm2.jpg" width="200" /></a>It took the better part of a day to clean up all the plastic, cut up a number of trees which fell down. Now we are left with re-building all the structures before hail comes and ruins all the delicate plants. <br />
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I would like to thank our neighbours Doug and Elna Edgar for coming over with a crew to help with the clean up. Their farm which is only 2 miles away was spared from any damage.Eagle Creek Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04760155537054514906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484982985721578584.post-57841259612234173332011-04-30T03:01:00.000-07:002011-04-30T03:30:50.536-07:00Greenhouse Extension<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzMoMP6OMPVqMaD7mIhNAD39c8Z51FzWwzMJiYvSv7zXEWIYRY5QJjtAjYxfB9nyTutZrcFrvj6JNB9JPzIBnmwy4Jc6bMle1JGwUpYpieFDdlsqds3NaSEyq6ftNBEHPP9HTQbu8yea7/s1600/contruction1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzMoMP6OMPVqMaD7mIhNAD39c8Z51FzWwzMJiYvSv7zXEWIYRY5QJjtAjYxfB9nyTutZrcFrvj6JNB9JPzIBnmwy4Jc6bMle1JGwUpYpieFDdlsqds3NaSEyq6ftNBEHPP9HTQbu8yea7/s200/contruction1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601321097257715458" border="0" /></a>For 3 weeks now we have desperately needed a more room in our greenhouse. The original 25x25ft of growing space was excellent to start the season off through the cool nights, however, we have hundreds of tomatoes outgrowing their 4" pots and even more pepper plants needing potting up. So a couple weeks later that we would have liked it was time to build an additional 30ftx30ft of growing space. To make this happen on a small budget we decided to build the greenhouse from<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-VeHtrzAl9fjE_EN2mlOnJA_VAVnKsWpBH1JUbPw8V0Nitg1LHD_cO4j7MS8FzE6Y7XqVdcVo47naA757rIWZ8avlbRkOk2ddJS79ZbUWRecYH3ChfLdvB75r1X5g3uae9otlRMlyubl/s1600/contructiona.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-VeHtrzAl9fjE_EN2mlOnJA_VAVnKsWpBH1JUbPw8V0Nitg1LHD_cO4j7MS8FzE6Y7XqVdcVo47naA757rIWZ8avlbRkOk2ddJS79ZbUWRecYH3ChfLdvB75r1X5g3uae9otlRMlyubl/s200/contructiona.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601320640517686802" border="0" /></a> scratch.<br /><br />Earlier this week was spent preparing all the metal. The hoops of the house are comprised of 2 - 20ft lengths of pipe welded together, which are bent and drilled. To bend the hoops we set up a jig on one of our flat deck trailers. The jig is made of 2x4's screwed into the deck creating an arc that will give the metal an arc as we pull around the 2x4's.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-h7HdLNwmxwMkcNm8owI7yn0QjFd-8mSVX9Yr-A7FziOT7XW_FVTyeVHaBP1AWHw8V77WLSaYdLq9AcM41rkrLtBcoUvNyE4_VXc6Uv8j0S3_kC_Iua6NEXBXhYq_3O686AmHXrN_AL6/s1600/contructionb.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-h7HdLNwmxwMkcNm8owI7yn0QjFd-8mSVX9Yr-A7FziOT7XW_FVTyeVHaBP1AWHw8V77WLSaYdLq9AcM41rkrLtBcoUvNyE4_VXc6Uv8j0S3_kC_Iua6NEXBXhYq_3O686AmHXrN_AL6/s200/contructionb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601321091784714882" border="0" /></a>Next we stood all the hoops upright and screwed them together, starting at the end of our existing greenhouse. Plans are to cut the wall out between the two sections when we start potting up all the plants this week, so you can walk right through both structures. The new sections is 5 ft taller than the previous which will allow more height for the tomatoes vines in the summer. <br /><br />To attache the plastic to the metal hoops we use wiggle wire & wiggle wire strips.. It is a pretty cool system that will secures the plastic firmly to the metal, yet allows us to take the plastic off with ease at a later date if needed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZt6eEHmE9mL5gRAHUAQd6hTFu2IU2ZLV0sEvb9rwZ8ZaM-ATqNbnMAIvK8Ft2mKfKNyH7Az0Te0FNJDL1BpW7EwqqjoxlZNh_sHH9ObME7ZK73vY_OIeDYhyphenhyphenvb27lww3QjzHCL19mYFFi/s1600/construction2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZt6eEHmE9mL5gRAHUAQd6hTFu2IU2ZLV0sEvb9rwZ8ZaM-ATqNbnMAIvK8Ft2mKfKNyH7Az0Te0FNJDL1BpW7EwqqjoxlZNh_sHH9ObME7ZK73vY_OIeDYhyphenhyphenvb27lww3QjzHCL19mYFFi/s200/construction2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601321100499838098" border="0" /></a>All in all creating the structure was quite easy. It took half a day to prepare the metal, half a day to bolt everything together. Next all we needed was a calm day to put up the plastic. If you can picture the plastic, it is a 40ftx60ft kite under the right conditions. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6xADYL7_l5bwAkl6jJpx5pZSVtIyCo2PDp_uoP3QJUenDssGsPRgEd4G_2Ice_0ZvM1qVK7kGuncw-3bH3RAJWKSWZk1BJ1FBqdHUDJ5J0bc0wWSgdZC-LDNXaltdGEFy_yqqc59PvZ4/s1600/construction3.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6xADYL7_l5bwAkl6jJpx5pZSVtIyCo2PDp_uoP3QJUenDssGsPRgEd4G_2Ice_0ZvM1qVK7kGuncw-3bH3RAJWKSWZk1BJ1FBqdHUDJ5J0bc0wWSgdZC-LDNXaltdGEFy_yqqc59PvZ4/s200/construction3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601320647608099954" border="0" /></a>Because of this there is generally one rule and only one rule to putting up greenhouse plastic. Never Put Up Greenhouse Plastic In The Wind. As it happened the day we wanted to put up the plastic was a bit breezy, much stronger wind than I would have liked. But with so many plants needing more room we gathered a good crew and took our chances. We were able to pull the plastic over in 15 minutes and get it secured before the wind blew it into the trees.<br /><br />So the home made extension seems to be a success. The only issue now will be heating the new<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrwc_w2jrsIKLdkAKNdLsSsdEY79wSbJ1kFfity5Am0xLhUQKl8OihYSG8jfzmP-qZRlAhrlLbwqfiZ9YCfN6B4iIO5aQ0ws-u-5A9pSWacFhkJlb6KJi8MKBkHwjiohm8f_QSeWKHeFu/s1600/construction4.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrwc_w2jrsIKLdkAKNdLsSsdEY79wSbJ1kFfity5Am0xLhUQKl8OihYSG8jfzmP-qZRlAhrlLbwqfiZ9YCfN6B4iIO5aQ0ws-u-5A9pSWacFhkJlb6KJi8MKBkHwjiohm8f_QSeWKHeFu/s200/construction4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601320651919583378" border="0" /></a> structure. Our wood stove was only just able to keep the smaller space warm on some of our cool spring nights. The goal is to heat the greenhouse without natural gas which will pose some challenges. Plans are to implement a number of passive solar techniques to capture heat during the day to be released throughout the night. Once we get everything set up I will take some more pics.Eagle Creek Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04760155537054514906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484982985721578584.post-27657739569915263042011-04-24T20:57:00.000-07:002011-04-24T21:26:44.907-07:00Potatoes, Plants & Chickens<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5G59uwi4JkWbVpB56F39pMiQdqLvvaq4Zl-1nCPQm4639ArD40yWQU7C6oEb-IsagvM9SmehnNLJo9_gAVJ2OdNRBs13PzD29YQ23Qrc8KK-VrZNwWVo6zq104JVJGMIx-tnXnn5GbJH/s1600/grading1.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 124px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5G59uwi4JkWbVpB56F39pMiQdqLvvaq4Zl-1nCPQm4639ArD40yWQU7C6oEb-IsagvM9SmehnNLJo9_gAVJ2OdNRBs13PzD29YQ23Qrc8KK-VrZNwWVo6zq104JVJGMIx-tnXnn5GbJH/s200/grading1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599372201080017458" border="0" /></a>Work is really starting to pick up on the farm now. There is still tones of snow on the ground, which means we are busy in the sheds packing seed potatoes, in the greenhouse starting thousands of seedlings and in the chicken coop with our first batch of chicks.<br /><br />I know I have talked about our potatoes before, they happen to be one of my favorite vegetables. Also we grow quite a few, over 30 varieties and this year nearly 30 acres. We package our potatoes in small to large bags and ship them across the country to home gardeners, market gardeners and garden centres. You can find our catalogue online at <a href="http://www.seedpotatoes.ca/catalogue.htm">seedpota</a><a href="http://www.seedpotatoes.ca/catalogue.htm">toes.ca </a><br /><br />This is our second year on the<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSv3eGka4uqeZ1ti2pZ7BAsAwPx_rx-9cv6QhTVs1iHxImmcV69ZP1OWED-w02rUFpk_pI8v0fjQUBJ-_gmYu_H2yXD1GqcMgpS6ZJemXHNbRmzurs6qfBHB46U6EXfNM7rivmAX9XseR/s1600/transplant3sm.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSv3eGka4uqeZ1ti2pZ7BAsAwPx_rx-9cv6QhTVs1iHxImmcV69ZP1OWED-w02rUFpk_pI8v0fjQUBJ-_gmYu_H2yXD1GqcMgpS6ZJemXHNbRmzurs6qfBHB46U6EXfNM7rivmAX9XseR/s200/transplant3sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599369001818955010" border="0" /></a> farm with a greenhouse and the second year growing tones of vegetables. Right now it is packed full of tomatoes, peppers, onions, herbs & a few flowers. Last week we brought in a bunch of metal for an expansion. Due to the increased interest in our CSA Community Shared Agriculture vegetable delivery program we need to double the growing room. Unfortunately we ran out of room last week so the expansion is needed in a bad way.<br /><br />The newest project on the farm this year is our Chickens. I have been raising a dozen laying hens <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yWsgUW5i2RYw7ckIftrqci7ju_JTB-pmmvWDCF2dPG498XAFbyiqeuWrULLpqXPToMS6kIHCI3X4RY529JvFkFpcda1okpgwbaa-R-LWiNOGodWyhvWjdYGgNSZjGncdjSzh1A7ko0w0/s1600/chicks3.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yWsgUW5i2RYw7ckIftrqci7ju_JTB-pmmvWDCF2dPG498XAFbyiqeuWrULLpqXPToMS6kIHCI3X4RY529JvFkFpcda1okpgwbaa-R-LWiNOGodWyhvWjdYGgNSZjGncdjSzh1A7ko0w0/s200/chicks3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599370187988770978" border="0" /></a>for the past couple years to lay eggs for my family and a few friends. But this year we have decided to take it to the next level and bring on a total of 299 laying hens so that we can sell eggs through our CSA Shares on farm and at farmers markets.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyczCsmClpEHKZIByFc-x8IQCUrZuhhE5FYe5I6CVv0UK7gZHR67tZs9GrwGvskl7RWkJqSwBlDDWnFbTxKZP86yWCUNGuTi8BSvmQSbKiXOLPCcjzTjwQi_wxK9y5hs89T63kvJo159L-/s1600/Chicks1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyczCsmClpEHKZIByFc-x8IQCUrZuhhE5FYe5I6CVv0UK7gZHR67tZs9GrwGvskl7RWkJqSwBlDDWnFbTxKZP86yWCUNGuTi8BSvmQSbKiXOLPCcjzTjwQi_wxK9y5hs89T63kvJo159L-/s200/Chicks1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599368994680474226" border="0" /></a>Just this past week we received our first 35 chicks and so far they are doing fantastic. Before the summer is over we will have to build a new chicken coop to house them throughout the cold winter months. Plans are to build a coop out of straw bales. I will post pictures when we start building and will also be looking for help in the process if anyone is interested.<br /><br />You can find out more about our CSA Vegetable Delivery Program on our website at <a href="http://www.eaglecreekfarms.ca/csa.htm">eaglecreekfarms.ca</a>Eagle Creek Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04760155537054514906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484982985721578584.post-11009524138989745332010-12-19T23:24:00.000-08:002010-12-20T00:02:19.371-08:002010 in ReviewIt has been a record breaking year at Eagle Creek Farms. Unfortunately on the production side there were very few record highs. The weather just was no on our side to give a favorable growing year.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HSWqvUcum3aeJXhQ9N7-BKt80JM4MqzvLtKxI0Ppx9S-AzssqqG08XuUIjxPpWMYgey3BgpnX1zpGlrsdH818Pwht9_PIQDBrOGrRF6fQ8ZqLZNRoHpUjHRonYoHH436VirEjKD7yr4x/s1600/greenhouse.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 123px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HSWqvUcum3aeJXhQ9N7-BKt80JM4MqzvLtKxI0Ppx9S-AzssqqG08XuUIjxPpWMYgey3BgpnX1zpGlrsdH818Pwht9_PIQDBrOGrRF6fQ8ZqLZNRoHpUjHRonYoHH436VirEjKD7yr4x/s200/greenhouse.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552664391740282770" border="0" /></a>However looking back there were some fantastic moments and I would like to believe we made the best of what we were given. To start the season we built a small greenhouse allowing us to start our own transplants on the farm. There was a wood stove to keep the plants warm on those cool nights. In 2011 we will be doubling the size of our greenhouse and adding a set of solar thermal heat panels to help with heating.<br /><br />In 2010 I finally started a CSA. I have been thinking a CSA would be a nice fit in our operation for a year or two now. "CSA" <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJs_kH_bdQKkpQhxAkO-zMcp4HIO4Q5dme3qSi72de_yB3eia9V8r58matcufmDtQ0MKPRkld3gGCtz86EU7TX7PX265XK_TSUyvBjEAB0XoK7qW_y7aiiyiSsYFBo7AOldUuuWPGZ435j/s1600/CSA+Delivery.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJs_kH_bdQKkpQhxAkO-zMcp4HIO4Q5dme3qSi72de_yB3eia9V8r58matcufmDtQ0MKPRkld3gGCtz86EU7TX7PX265XK_TSUyvBjEAB0XoK7qW_y7aiiyiSsYFBo7AOldUuuWPGZ435j/s200/CSA+Delivery.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552664575922529266" border="0" /></a>Stands for Community Shared Agriculture. It is a way that families interested in local food can share the risk of production with a farmer. How it works is that families purchase a share, prior to the growing season, in a vegetable garden that we plan to grow. In return, throughout the summer, we harvest from the garden and make deliveries of fresh vegetables to the share families. This is a picture of our delivery in Calgary. We started with 66 share families this past year. It went so well that we will be expanding to nearly 300 families in 2011. There is loads of info on our <a href="http:///www.eaglecreekfarms.ca/csa.htm">website</a> where you can learn more about our CSA and sign up for a <a href="http://www.eaglecreekfarms.ca/csaregister.htm">2011 share</a>. We make deliveries into Calgary, Olds & Red Deer<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzenrsYsTM1QNU407foeCuJxg7TpYmfgpFSu1MgpKRuXJUYTk9pAY-9QzePWaYd6SQtBTi2F9FtIN2Mr7wjgxcX1z-ixDTKwmxR1nqcZmkBIqkGua4u_i4uEJXdeLLMa9OWu3i0ACjmizO/s1600/spuds.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzenrsYsTM1QNU407foeCuJxg7TpYmfgpFSu1MgpKRuXJUYTk9pAY-9QzePWaYd6SQtBTi2F9FtIN2Mr7wjgxcX1z-ixDTKwmxR1nqcZmkBIqkGua4u_i4uEJXdeLLMa9OWu3i0ACjmizO/s200/spuds.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552664398177649026" border="0" /></a>Potatoes.... I love Potatoes. A friend asked me a couple days ago what my favorite crop is. "Most definitely potatoes" I replied. They are easy for new gardeners to grow, fun & quick for kids to pick, can be cooked in so many ways, and come in so many shapes and colours. My father has been growing potatoes for over 20 years and we now grow over 30 varieties. We sell our seed potatoes to home gardeners across Canada who share my passion in this fantastic crop. Anyone can purchase seed potatoes from our <a href="http://www.seedpotatoes.ca/catalogue.htm">online catalogue</a> between Mid December and April every year. You can view all 30 varieties we have available for 2011 on our potato website, <a href="http://www.seedpotatoes.ca">seed potatoes.ca</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lnUkdmHTvydsJa9D9V3WNrFgygO5BFyJhKQtPSY-ljUio2yInopEwjBdJngl-F4DmqsWzxJwSM7r7M4TytWdwyFxkAAj9R35o4Jz_mwymVvNRMrfY_rQqUhcj9LLcF6TUVLB2CzeZoZI/s1600/staff.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 142px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lnUkdmHTvydsJa9D9V3WNrFgygO5BFyJhKQtPSY-ljUio2yInopEwjBdJngl-F4DmqsWzxJwSM7r7M4TytWdwyFxkAAj9R35o4Jz_mwymVvNRMrfY_rQqUhcj9LLcF6TUVLB2CzeZoZI/s200/staff.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552665230165424178" border="0" /></a><br />Ultimately we could not have accomplished everything we did without our staff. The farm is humming with people throughout the year busy with planting, harvest, deliveries, working the farm store or spending time showing you around the Gardens.<br /><br />Hope to see you all in 2011. I have a feeling it is going to be a great year. <br /> John MillsEagle Creek Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04760155537054514906noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484982985721578584.post-52610547603230487862010-08-29T21:09:00.000-07:002010-08-29T21:20:07.307-07:00Sunflower Maze in Full Bloom<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4gjiso9Xh7Js7qYUDvlIIcsYsEXkWlVQdn1uabZQEHSDj9LjLRcxEGTlxDy5JLKbzOMMpRG0Nq5fTPMNdXi-K_5hmCx2-l3FXkwxPdQXhojCHXsiHMsYiZEuz-ANlY2-6vpy47lL57gn/s1600/sunflowerbloom3.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 188px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4gjiso9Xh7Js7qYUDvlIIcsYsEXkWlVQdn1uabZQEHSDj9LjLRcxEGTlxDy5JLKbzOMMpRG0Nq5fTPMNdXi-K_5hmCx2-l3FXkwxPdQXhojCHXsiHMsYiZEuz-ANlY2-6vpy47lL57gn/s200/sunflowerbloom3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511051571092264418" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRVqvm71ElDGGT-VB76sICtm2btUliydC0-sIjGkAntlDGPuSmVlogXPbwIQYbIqX_mI9CdoxbpCcCDekqrp4PS8hZmq1hh8bp6Gwi4Do40_QqaU6A3g555VFVvSlA4QydeaiRVnMCIFI/s1600/sunflowerbloom2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRVqvm71ElDGGT-VB76sICtm2btUliydC0-sIjGkAntlDGPuSmVlogXPbwIQYbIqX_mI9CdoxbpCcCDekqrp4PS8hZmq1hh8bp6Gwi4Do40_QqaU6A3g555VFVvSlA4QydeaiRVnMCIFI/s200/sunflowerbloom2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511051296090339090" border="0" /></a>In a typical year our kick off the summer with our sunflower maze in full Bloom. However, 2010 has been one for the record books, only not in a good way. Well not for most crops. Our sunflower maze on the other hand has just opened into full bloom over the past week and is better than ever before.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj789imCIKPb1ruYPDt1nrKMJj2BRyKTV93l-haFF7exSgCyUJ_crWaHLayjH7tEfM4FX8969oAVsOHYxOXk-ofN1DGQf2E6fGzI7CM_sZjaKEtNpT_RVN7NUV3lMhZRnr8W5EXpaS6XqO0/s1600/sunflowerbloom.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 104px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj789imCIKPb1ruYPDt1nrKMJj2BRyKTV93l-haFF7exSgCyUJ_crWaHLayjH7tEfM4FX8969oAVsOHYxOXk-ofN1DGQf2E6fGzI7CM_sZjaKEtNpT_RVN7NUV3lMhZRnr8W5EXpaS6XqO0/s200/sunflowerbloom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511051285457351314" border="0" /></a> I can't think of a better way to end August than with 100 000 smiling sunflowers. <br /><br />As long as we do not get a frost in the next few days the sunflower mazes should be looking fantastic into the beginning of September. Our September hours for the maze are Friday & Saturday 11-6 and Sunday 11-5. We hope to see you out on the farm. Don't forget your camera....Eagle Creek Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04760155537054514906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484982985721578584.post-61290109153492187622010-08-02T08:09:00.000-07:002010-08-02T08:35:21.732-07:00Fantastic Weekend for Lily Festival<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirp4eMi5wBbyJxkmA8esMQHKM8LL5-lyATGv5dhQjerjUBWEg5ZjmSkL3qadQLRT2jFPfwAqzDOHYuhF2SiCBN_UgpLMkvrm5Oa38eD-MJ8kBSqjUydYfFM4K1WQd1JAsj6rBzA2BfTOdx/s1600/playarea.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirp4eMi5wBbyJxkmA8esMQHKM8LL5-lyATGv5dhQjerjUBWEg5ZjmSkL3qadQLRT2jFPfwAqzDOHYuhF2SiCBN_UgpLMkvrm5Oa38eD-MJ8kBSqjUydYfFM4K1WQd1JAsj6rBzA2BfTOdx/s200/playarea.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500833762251778482" border="0" /></a>Once again we lucked out on the weather and the Lily Festival was an amazing kick off to the season.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHCi2gPxV5kLcfGFtLzDMDabd1EHayJLemkhpEofKM8OdGsJBxCgrB_Ox_lQQaFVgZWg0JIYtsZSAEV9JVWXCMEeJVqy4RQDqu7dooLiONi-ytzjOS4P17GPWupa0sa1nwMZ9A4apuD0S/s1600/flow1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHCi2gPxV5kLcfGFtLzDMDabd1EHayJLemkhpEofKM8OdGsJBxCgrB_Ox_lQQaFVgZWg0JIYtsZSAEV9JVWXCMEeJVqy4RQDqu7dooLiONi-ytzjOS4P17GPWupa0sa1nwMZ9A4apuD0S/s200/flow1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500832264418413890" border="0" /></a>1300 visitors came out to enjoy the flower fields, mazes and entertainment for the weekend and I didn't see a single family leave without a smile on their face. Even Flow our pot bellied pig had a great time getting his belly scratched over and over ag<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqE_DCuPxLANbuTDReM0UKsuj5dtnhFwJKJYqPKJkxdls58DQg_mFDTnCAz0rlefCBbhpERzYFINEMkw4QOa6e_bGPdi8beyn5A9L4GCgV1usfuSyxwnOtqYhOA0Eh2pUfHJxCaUT8XPd/s1600/visitor3.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqE_DCuPxLANbuTDReM0UKsuj5dtnhFwJKJYqPKJkxdls58DQg_mFDTnCAz0rlefCBbhpERzYFINEMkw4QOa6e_bGPdi8beyn5A9L4GCgV1usfuSyxwnOtqYhOA0Eh2pUfHJxCaUT8XPd/s200/visitor3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500831799953058450" border="0" /></a>ain.<br /><br />One of the main draws to the farm are our thousands of U-pick lilies. To showcase the flowers we have a "U-pick V<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DCboSJ_HPBYDXFLBb5cTO-Z4GFJTux4OlIAPep7ifFCkQ8ylUkjQj4cxlVVRC7YGgNTGHJQL1ebvh1FZKlF5ONtG52BLl3jaJCYwALZ5HMN8IQ7l0Z3kHxk2YFavUE48OkUSdjL1_Ege/s1600/rayjohn.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DCboSJ_HPBYDXFLBb5cTO-Z4GFJTux4OlIAPep7ifFCkQ8ylUkjQj4cxlVVRC7YGgNTGHJQL1ebvh1FZKlF5ONtG52BLl3jaJCYwALZ5HMN8IQ7l0Z3kHxk2YFavUE48OkUSdjL1_Ege/s200/rayjohn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500833921549466818" border="0" /></a>ase of Flowers" Sale, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUKoOHMg_QizjgH6WszIQIUMJetWhiK_KihatuBS0HUCYXuNHWDKaHHROFdrkZiXnCUZELbjfJZ09E3mlPhhjwxzH1QKgnEVgFJ_fDk2TO4ria115cHS6o3p0m4Jt7b16H4F57LB5JaIH/s1600/visitor2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUKoOHMg_QizjgH6WszIQIUMJetWhiK_KihatuBS0HUCYXuNHWDKaHHROFdrkZiXnCUZELbjfJZ09E3mlPhhjwxzH1QKgnEVgFJ_fDk2TO4ria115cHS6o3p0m4Jt7b16H4F57LB5JaIH/s200/visitor2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500831803349896562" border="0" /></a>where visitors purchase a vase, then pick lilies and other flowers to create their own arrangement.<br /><br />Thank you to everyone who made the lily festival another great weekend. Than<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZUNoDkX_bxRZJce80RPLibdmWKZYkROKIdY6tAQoH3chaXyzOkyCS9ugFN7xp1SR2CpziyPQeIXrfQxLo5bkgtF2ZmFqYKvuXACBd01M9bvg3jDSpd84rfpgco-6PWM9hTDnTnElyl85/s1600/crew.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZUNoDkX_bxRZJce80RPLibdmWKZYkROKIdY6tAQoH3chaXyzOkyCS9ugFN7xp1SR2CpziyPQeIXrfQxLo5bkgtF2ZmFqYKvuXACBd01M9bvg3jDSpd84rfpgco-6PWM9hTDnTnElyl85/s200/crew.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500835281194845778" border="0" /></a>k you to all our amazing family, staff who helped get everything ready and make the festival run smooth. Also thank you to all who visited the farm this weekend and enjoyed what we had to offer.Eagle Creek Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04760155537054514906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484982985721578584.post-9874936149436970442010-08-01T09:11:00.001-07:002010-08-01T09:14:06.341-07:00Website Down, but Lily Festival Still onHello everyone, our main portals of information to the farm, sunmaze.ca & eaglecreekfarms.ca seem to be down today.<br /><br />Our festival is still on for today, Sunday August 1st from 11-5 then we will be open 7 days a week throughout august. 11-6 monday - Saturday then 11-5 on sundays. Here is a map to the farm, you can also call us today 1 877 224 3939 you can click on this image for a printable copy.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlszSSyQnn4GjEFf4TkHXrIsL7GuQmErnzKQzFUUzcQCBux2VhxNCz3IR2zYVxXDmRj7sOIs6Igc5IC2pQ7FasN3pvNVusX139riRQfp43f42aaY4X6o_kOXbY86NC1XllwlEfjeGNuA4b/s1600/printabledirections.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 168px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlszSSyQnn4GjEFf4TkHXrIsL7GuQmErnzKQzFUUzcQCBux2VhxNCz3IR2zYVxXDmRj7sOIs6Igc5IC2pQ7FasN3pvNVusX139riRQfp43f42aaY4X6o_kOXbY86NC1XllwlEfjeGNuA4b/s200/printabledirections.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500475276500768386" border="0" /></a>Eagle Creek Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04760155537054514906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484982985721578584.post-48063081574611308412010-07-28T22:01:00.000-07:002010-07-28T22:24:33.733-07:00Lily Festival<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC11Xqw5Xxs3ARTp2kz7UMS__i09Oon5V3E6wMC1I0l4WzBGiwVDkV1S2MEmz2GnW5HdtQd-n2JdO35bd2fhNiUHLNVM_QyDfWW86CEh6l9KownQ9mZteMONd4jfWpo0kNMTwBMioaOVbJ/s1600/lilyfestbrochuresm.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC11Xqw5Xxs3ARTp2kz7UMS__i09Oon5V3E6wMC1I0l4WzBGiwVDkV1S2MEmz2GnW5HdtQd-n2JdO35bd2fhNiUHLNVM_QyDfWW86CEh6l9KownQ9mZteMONd4jfWpo0kNMTwBMioaOVbJ/s200/lilyfestbrochuresm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499192028827631954" border="0" /></a>Lily Festival July 31st & Aug 1st 11-5<br />I feel like I am in one of those home reno TV shows where every thing needs to come together before a given deadline, but it seems like most of the work is done during the last few long days. Our Crew has been working hard over the past couple weeks renovating our farm store, sprucing up the u-pick fields, making tons more signs. It looks as though all will be ready for opening day July 31st.<br /><br />This year the Lily festival is also going to be the grand opening of the farm. Our U-pick flower & Vegetable fields are just getting started with Thousands of Lilies. Over the next 2 weeks more vegetables & Flowers will begin to be ready for u-pick 7 days a week.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZQdOFpfMozJgEsOnM5DG-_2OPBHtqWKnYgeRg0puuO0TFof1H27DvBAs0Wv-w8s7mIA0aWJr4qqV5ehkbLM_0oiZYVH_kY0S0EubzkEBJydIgdpMsaC-TOtRdTLxmdtT1G17qDMpVNol/s1600/redlettuce.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZQdOFpfMozJgEsOnM5DG-_2OPBHtqWKnYgeRg0puuO0TFof1H27DvBAs0Wv-w8s7mIA0aWJr4qqV5ehkbLM_0oiZYVH_kY0S0EubzkEBJydIgdpMsaC-TOtRdTLxmdtT1G17qDMpVNol/s200/redlettuce.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499191512817552386" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We have a few new additions to the farm this year including Red, our miniature horse and Flow, a pot bellied pig. Be sure to say hi and welcome them to the farm.<br /><br />I counted today and there were over 15 different colours of lilies in bloom. I also saw the first of the zinnias, a great collection of monkshood, ladies mantel and many more flowers in the u-pick.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglGPYVk2NW9miZejyTTFo8DNKFsDIZ61avnruWSy__M-PyOrkIjqYaEHZBkxuTjR8EIdHa7rBjN4gr_WqSP7LQ3UUqq-FUUksege5Fl-wZQvTsWB7slJJiGH3lCX6iH0YkHb_4pibJnWe/s1600/lily2010.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglGPYVk2NW9miZejyTTFo8DNKFsDIZ61avnruWSy__M-PyOrkIjqYaEHZBkxuTjR8EIdHa7rBjN4gr_WqSP7LQ3UUqq-FUUksege5Fl-wZQvTsWB7slJJiGH3lCX6iH0YkHb_4pibJnWe/s200/lily2010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499192021987414194" border="0" /></a>Although you can visit the farm throughout August, the first 2 weekends are the days we offer our U-pick vase deal. How it works is that you purchase the vase from our farm store, then pick as many flowers as you can fit in the vase.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVl9xnafny9DA_Hl69oSF62SXBafzT8OYFxdgh-OXGl0S4s2GJcxiI8LhkrCg888aG38VAGsCHWFdWo9AOcUb-uWTe20FfbUEH4a0zWQSvwZ5MpmLI5eJq0bkvGiUy5exEaTnnJFx_rTi/s1600/flowlettuce.jpg"><br /></a>Eagle Creek Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04760155537054514906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484982985721578584.post-36755532412374682502010-07-13T21:34:00.001-07:002010-07-13T22:05:14.885-07:00What does a farmer do in the rain?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVFJ4x7AhZ51foPenayWJ1sx3zEdHyhB46rh2rZUqKAzr7E_yuWPd1-clmKDbIP9x_V3XcG_-i7AN7G-RAzI6Uu3EGNttUOYjSJFwhnnx4DdE0lk4t_8fGrYYYjrka9pSB8Fg7gfF_YoI/s1600/wood+stove.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVFJ4x7AhZ51foPenayWJ1sx3zEdHyhB46rh2rZUqKAzr7E_yuWPd1-clmKDbIP9x_V3XcG_-i7AN7G-RAzI6Uu3EGNttUOYjSJFwhnnx4DdE0lk4t_8fGrYYYjrka9pSB8Fg7gfF_YoI/s200/wood+stove.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493617180898289266" border="0" /></a>After last season, I had totally forgot what it was like to continually start to the sky for the slightest ray of sun. However, this year on the other hand has been completely different. Another 3 inches of rain the past couple days. So here are some pics of what we do..<br /><br />I can hardly believe it, but on July 13th I had to start up my stove in the greenhouse. the temp was dropping below 10 degrees, so to avoid developing misshaped fruit we had to start a fire to keep the temp up... On July 13th...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_8n1hT9ptnGeW7qCw-TNmi_uLbzjZsYDAg1xzejUku2cE4rR4eMCXqOVbUM5pR36nolm5z7QXSnFRKet8fnMK95W2OR5gsFHmMCj0Ok_mhV5p9dbmi4uMPTaPc6VE8AX3B_wUFdM2Dus/s1600/blownpeonies.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_8n1hT9ptnGeW7qCw-TNmi_uLbzjZsYDAg1xzejUku2cE4rR4eMCXqOVbUM5pR36nolm5z7QXSnFRKet8fnMK95W2OR5gsFHmMCj0Ok_mhV5p9dbmi4uMPTaPc6VE8AX3B_wUFdM2Dus/s200/blownpeonies.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493617186241493186" border="0" /></a><br />The next job was to see the damage in the field. Nothing too terribly horrible, however; I think these peonies will have a permanent kink in their stems after been blown horizontal.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxq-Rqas072-mz5VvK3YyYlNBYtQukTrP-WtEn1UkEoUgWl3EjXmUnq03BdHYmMVI159EBfUOWEL132KFGNQu2XCnSY7e4C-ELIOIX3Us5X12NNDB18ZPPKPyRrMcaykfXR017Rss7L5u/s1600/blownbeans.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 132px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxq-Rqas072-mz5VvK3YyYlNBYtQukTrP-WtEn1UkEoUgWl3EjXmUnq03BdHYmMVI159EBfUOWEL132KFGNQu2XCnSY7e4C-ELIOIX3Us5X12NNDB18ZPPKPyRrMcaykfXR017Rss7L5u/s200/blownbeans.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493618885128291266" border="0" /></a>Here are some pics of beans and swiss chard, which will definitely have to be washed before eaten. I think on some of the plants there is <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qpp-wEi_f3POmCbt70Yimo4GHzTz-i5GQb6hD1yA8-7oRTXwa-7TlQlGA2zIw3rrxtJvvKq3xQzJXmu01-gHokZCKmdWHo-DocC9EMDtDszIuWg-86Om1Nw227zfNXyNjjO5IkuEDL7Z/s1600/blownswisschard.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qpp-wEi_f3POmCbt70Yimo4GHzTz-i5GQb6hD1yA8-7oRTXwa-7TlQlGA2zIw3rrxtJvvKq3xQzJXmu01-gHokZCKmdWHo-DocC9EMDtDszIuWg-86Om1Nw227zfNXyNjjO5IkuEDL7Z/s200/blownswisschard.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493618897597605442" border="0" /></a>more dirt than chard. Not to worry, a couple days of sun after all this rain will make things grow like crazy.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGnP9j18WseP85BVm_JMDNvY9loT-xTxz4tKkjUnrubVy57v77pgYtY3nl5LL89GhLzVcWce9NBQxu0c4x4mGjszJip0ayYwHxesZbEbZV39SWCFvkt5tazIcWWurTaHzM68BOEbMkNvq/s1600/csatunnel.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGnP9j18WseP85BVm_JMDNvY9loT-xTxz4tKkjUnrubVy57v77pgYtY3nl5LL89GhLzVcWce9NBQxu0c4x4mGjszJip0ayYwHxesZbEbZV39SWCFvkt5tazIcWWurTaHzM68BOEbMkNvq/s200/csatunnel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493619476765935442" border="0" /></a>I know this is going to sound really weird, but I was irrigating today as <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEaFOgeA-XNOQNp4Q9OR2Jb2jr0p94Id-uSPZKMRoUSXTlz8gg0rdus1qPdmRRqk8lXpnWESL8wH5WatocY8B6IINdZf1ZSYCZ1VAiebSTz38dukZ56lx_t7eL75cYy-y3g5TCgTn1aW6c/s1600/dugout1.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEaFOgeA-XNOQNp4Q9OR2Jb2jr0p94Id-uSPZKMRoUSXTlz8gg0rdus1qPdmRRqk8lXpnWESL8wH5WatocY8B6IINdZf1ZSYCZ1VAiebSTz38dukZ56lx_t7eL75cYy-y3g5TCgTn1aW6c/s200/dugout1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493619484414483378" border="0" /></a>well. We grow all our lilies under plastic tunnels to protect them from the hail. The one downside is that on rainy days, the lilies do not see any of the moisture. This really bothered me that I have to irrigate on one of the wettest years in recent years, on the flip side the water reservoir probably rose more from run off than I was able to pump out today.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8z_NMDaGfGt5ISq6oQgK2Ty3eewZzPrDOj9gx1t4WK0yBqIi0S_FHOjEeKI5AOdjQXUUxry3c6JL8TDPJQ7246hD1PR8Mw2Yl-8cnX79ZjS1n-CudMVwgu90HUGPcoiLrkFb8h-knGVG/s1600/storeroberto.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8z_NMDaGfGt5ISq6oQgK2Ty3eewZzPrDOj9gx1t4WK0yBqIi0S_FHOjEeKI5AOdjQXUUxry3c6JL8TDPJQ7246hD1PR8Mw2Yl-8cnX79ZjS1n-CudMVwgu90HUGPcoiLrkFb8h-knGVG/s200/storeroberto.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493617171713372722" border="0" /></a>Then their is staff to deal with. We employ 8 people on the farm, some full time, most part time, all but 1 was in for work today and I don't think I would have been the most popular person if I were to make everyone work outside for the day. Fortunately we had loads of work to do rebuilding our farm store, signs for the maze, cleaning our potato storage & packing sheds and random cleaning jobs to get done. Everyone did a fantastic job and the place is almost ready for Summer. Anyone have an idea on when Summer is going to start this year?Eagle Creek Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04760155537054514906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484982985721578584.post-22820088850658981602010-06-28T21:45:00.001-07:002010-06-28T22:01:22.172-07:00Summer is here<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBn3EgpLQWDyifiJQ2pJ0X8O0zF999nmBB8BvfXTBsm8b86qvDZ5ihxnQC44fmbEzXqb6O16yD1TVChFauRU0qJwsbJTXw5iPfbZgwQYZiaLwzyW38evsATWSVOKUsiuKKjlfIbxGbsZe/s1600/radish2010.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBn3EgpLQWDyifiJQ2pJ0X8O0zF999nmBB8BvfXTBsm8b86qvDZ5ihxnQC44fmbEzXqb6O16yD1TVChFauRU0qJwsbJTXw5iPfbZgwQYZiaLwzyW38evsATWSVOKUsiuKKjlfIbxGbsZe/s200/radish2010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488052600049876002" border="0" /></a>Summer is here and so our our first veggies. I am always taken back when the radishes are ready for market because we quickly switch from planting and getting the farm ready for the public to <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQiv6w6Vm2SO9vXs_qG8-Y4GZ1rBv8PV1GRF52t2gm07AoRv56X_wII1hr0LtKoi8W3dQRmPAHXeo_XxS9uulbnmIZAbenshQTrMLG5IDoevD0e5GNxRX4qnkRbRJL-6aFuCKFO4IZI4II/s1600/scapesm.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 189px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQiv6w6Vm2SO9vXs_qG8-Y4GZ1rBv8PV1GRF52t2gm07AoRv56X_wII1hr0LtKoi8W3dQRmPAHXeo_XxS9uulbnmIZAbenshQTrMLG5IDoevD0e5GNxRX4qnkRbRJL-6aFuCKFO4IZI4II/s200/scapesm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488054086439611458" border="0" /></a>harvest time. First it is the radish, second are the garlic scapes and then strait into flowers. It is hard to see but in this picture there is our first garlic scape poking out of it's sheith. This year we will be selling the scapes at Innisfail Growers Farmers Market Booths. You can use scapes just the same a garlic cloves, only earlier....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qWWmR_DK7JmzFL0dorDxg9ZbV2GlSUmMl5UFWIYyMiDH3eH6xTvFJ6U-nR8ffbB0LnVEvwQIjYTbCMf_oRN2pxb7i-YJBLdxk5HIeCLdJOP7vryu1zA2ESESmTt3riV_l1Dx6vwwQUhc/s1600/rayshedsm.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qWWmR_DK7JmzFL0dorDxg9ZbV2GlSUmMl5UFWIYyMiDH3eH6xTvFJ6U-nR8ffbB0LnVEvwQIjYTbCMf_oRN2pxb7i-YJBLdxk5HIeCLdJOP7vryu1zA2ESESmTt3riV_l1Dx6vwwQUhc/s200/rayshedsm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488054287002536994" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My girlfriend thought that we needed something red out in the U-pick for this season and I thought that a tool shed would be useful. so we married the two ideas together and came up with this, a red tool shed "Ray's Red Shed" We have most of the siding on, just need to frame a door and it will be ready. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKLB1CeNq7IxY2sYWqMiosJIoWvx-Ce0cFVECtKjzjjogl1D3q29SZ4yfgdUx1RC-96xcQhwOULCAQPCqmPPQNT6N6HMLQMLDGi2lcau7BUikkSj7oWIj5PhBybVprZPTnHCLenz-8xps/s1600/johnweedsm.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKLB1CeNq7IxY2sYWqMiosJIoWvx-Ce0cFVECtKjzjjogl1D3q29SZ4yfgdUx1RC-96xcQhwOULCAQPCqmPPQNT6N6HMLQMLDGi2lcau7BUikkSj7oWIj5PhBybVprZPTnHCLenz-8xps/s200/johnweedsm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488052925032509570" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />It won't be long until the maze design for this year needs to be cut, but first we have to make sure the weeds are under control. Here we are using our "state of the art" wheel hoes to cut down some chick weed and lambs quarters. I think these pics were taken on <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXGw5BbuoVaYcIbjHJuJ3TJE11lNAr9061aFWQFZ1h_q6-XgN0NjDm35jPDOTgW9G09ZPtelZWpMVvhpTnOTw0zgYay-1UzMu-ASOQvBEQqIZmbuihOU7bMER1r_LrqCF97lnG55Xzr0a/s1600/rayweedsm.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXGw5BbuoVaYcIbjHJuJ3TJE11lNAr9061aFWQFZ1h_q6-XgN0NjDm35jPDOTgW9G09ZPtelZWpMVvhpTnOTw0zgYay-1UzMu-ASOQvBEQqIZmbuihOU7bMER1r_LrqCF97lnG55Xzr0a/s200/rayweedsm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488052913038415730" border="0" /></a>Saturday and when we were out again this morning the sunflowers had doubled in size. It is hard to believe but the corn and sunflowers in the maze will grow up to 2-4 inches every day from now until we open the maze in 26 days.Eagle Creek Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04760155537054514906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484982985721578584.post-70061732563803445562010-06-11T06:10:00.001-07:002010-06-11T07:05:37.579-07:00Markets & Mud<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAny2lyJFd1mK1d-wcG-wlz6KkLrphPX9EEF4yzmyrbFCvcCcjUt42xpA9Eh2lbVUbaAmusPFAfaeSC9aQqlCT78u1mZGBFNcOzbdvslvR5_nSpFwhuSS-_SzIZKPWBYNCzZKn1VZ3gjq-/s1600/igmarketsm.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 161px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAny2lyJFd1mK1d-wcG-wlz6KkLrphPX9EEF4yzmyrbFCvcCcjUt42xpA9Eh2lbVUbaAmusPFAfaeSC9aQqlCT78u1mZGBFNcOzbdvslvR5_nSpFwhuSS-_SzIZKPWBYNCzZKn1VZ3gjq-/s200/igmarketsm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481503340902604242" border="0" /></a>It is June and June is the start of Market season. Unfortunately I do not have anything ready for the markets just yet. We should have radishes starting next week, if the sun decides to poke out of the clouds. Even though I don't have produce of my own, I was able to take fresh asparagus, rhubarb, tomatoes, onions, herbs & potted flowers all from the group of neighbours I work with, Innisfail Growers. <br /><br />You can find an Innisfail Growers Booth at over 15 markets across central Alberta each week, where you can be assured fresh vegetables grown by local Farmers. This is a picture of me at Northlands market which I work every Tuesday from 3:30 - 7:00pm in the Calgary, Northlands Mall Parking lot. One of my customers and I are sampling some of Edgar Farms Fresh Asparagus and Rhubarb (don't worry Elna, I didn't really take a bit out of a bunch of your asparagus, but it did cross my mind...) Find a full list of markets Innisfail Growers attends at <a href="http://innisfailgrowers.com">www.innisfailgrowers.com</a><br /><br />Now for the MUD... We have lots of it at the moment. Anyone want to buy mud? I think this week it rained over 3 inches of rain, which happens to me more than we had all summer last year. But there is no point in complaining about the excess of rain, so I won't, as long as we get a bunch of sun to dry things out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpdC8tEf_iaXhbT39sA4-yXuKfn1hS7rzFbCu0Da2Y7wZneZPVTjxVayXgYljA8A6NNhxDex79Q6l_DHxeUskfrpT5YdXYAlgTdzXY-H5O9yVY_fYW71OWpCXAlK58cFY83QAi_U_Z2Jz/s1600/greenhouse5sm.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpdC8tEf_iaXhbT39sA4-yXuKfn1hS7rzFbCu0Da2Y7wZneZPVTjxVayXgYljA8A6NNhxDex79Q6l_DHxeUskfrpT5YdXYAlgTdzXY-H5O9yVY_fYW71OWpCXAlK58cFY83QAi_U_Z2Jz/s200/greenhouse5sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481503527084955986" border="0" /></a>Excess rain isn't the end of the world. We had plenty of in door jobs for the staff. Our crew took out all the transplants and benches out of our little greenhouse and replaced them with cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers. I think they fit 90 tomatoes, 30 cucumbers and 20 pepper plants. Our CSA members will be enjoying these veggies in about 5 weeks. We will also be selling fresh fresh veggies in our u-pick and farm store this summer starting July 31st when we open our maze & U-pick.Eagle Creek Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04760155537054514906noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484982985721578584.post-39804985951915206712010-06-03T10:00:00.000-07:002010-06-03T10:17:07.179-07:00Planting Season<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdIKWW_sKx0FoFamoNOW1WODmvs8K0xT63at0wWyH1PySFaNPso7PPg8-TEtx471G235MeLuFuv48U8jWB7JgYaXHZ4zqj4GX-nEVfWctR3FzdjftrZ1v7IMA4ZIhJnI5LcxeN4SXxCc7/s1600/planting+spudssm.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 148px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdIKWW_sKx0FoFamoNOW1WODmvs8K0xT63at0wWyH1PySFaNPso7PPg8-TEtx471G235MeLuFuv48U8jWB7JgYaXHZ4zqj4GX-nEVfWctR3FzdjftrZ1v7IMA4ZIhJnI5LcxeN4SXxCc7/s200/planting+spudssm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478594845520580450" border="0" /></a><br />May long is generally our key to start planting and this year was no exception. We did get the carrots, beets, parsnips and onions in last month, but once again our Alberta spring has been full of surprises. The first half of May was far warmer than what we are now experiencing, and that snow storm last weekend was a good reminder that their is no hurry getting those delicate vegetables into the ground too early.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JD3a_t6tTu3koimb0g6oTegsdMNVExdAPZuXIR8CRHrPmld5hK5AM6hrwd2egoyrwQbXfdZeKnllmT7cV7O4Iy92BdlBQjOvFv2XMVJn0qhhdRWv5zDT-e6-NXRcshDBXdpKNthcjP2R/s1600/quadsm.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JD3a_t6tTu3koimb0g6oTegsdMNVExdAPZuXIR8CRHrPmld5hK5AM6hrwd2egoyrwQbXfdZeKnllmT7cV7O4Iy92BdlBQjOvFv2XMVJn0qhhdRWv5zDT-e6-NXRcshDBXdpKNthcjP2R/s200/quadsm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478595752364854946" border="0" /></a>But now it is June and everything, as usual, needs to be in the ground TODAY!!. We two boys from the local high school who work on the farm, planting a bunch of spuds yesterday, and our crew of ladies are busy planting and transplanting hundreds of perennials throughout the gardens.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGgbMQTb8zShANSWglKPBgdvfKpYDbxyVH-bZUswCpIcw4lNALoFsd-n2fZcK9ZzncbFEC7Q1JtgZpeuzOwC6h2lLAqcZqL6U4iwiH7bOvNYZAVt3Ur7Muoifg8d6jDueOrT-7JdWS8eV/s1600/tomato3sm.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGgbMQTb8zShANSWglKPBgdvfKpYDbxyVH-bZUswCpIcw4lNALoFsd-n2fZcK9ZzncbFEC7Q1JtgZpeuzOwC6h2lLAqcZqL6U4iwiH7bOvNYZAVt3Ur7Muoifg8d6jDueOrT-7JdWS8eV/s200/tomato3sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478594855793290498" border="0" /></a><br />This year we are growing 200 tomato plants to supply our U-pick, farm store and Community shared Agriculture Vegetable Delivery. Plans are to have the bulk of the plants in our greenhouses, planted directly into the soil. They are starting to bloom in their pots, so I think it is time to get them in the ground.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5yoee9sp4V6ui7-Bpim3C4H68w9nfDEgVTYwRz3YwO477eLlvxLQezXh2a73lF1fP1V-4jqUr3pJepnhcXn50aajsTaZogpglqYlTKyRMBR0h0rAsSE6p4OSRMqjk3qdfRr46FI788bj/s1600/tulipssm.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5yoee9sp4V6ui7-Bpim3C4H68w9nfDEgVTYwRz3YwO477eLlvxLQezXh2a73lF1fP1V-4jqUr3pJepnhcXn50aajsTaZogpglqYlTKyRMBR0h0rAsSE6p4OSRMqjk3qdfRr46FI788bj/s200/tulipssm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478595763012747714" border="0" /></a>Finally for this post a note on our Tulips. They are looking fantastic, nice and tall, full of colour and are lasting for ever. Unfortunately we will not have any for sale. These in the picture are right beside my house, protected from Bambi, who ate the 4000 we had growing out in the gardens.. I am sure it would have made for a great picture, but not so great for flower sales. We might have to move all the tulips next to the house, or buy a really big dog next year to keep the deer away.Eagle Creek Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04760155537054514906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484982985721578584.post-64809911803399280172010-05-05T05:34:00.000-07:002010-05-05T05:51:20.562-07:00GreenhouseIt has been over a month since we fired up the stove in our new greenhouse and I am continually amazed at how well everything has been growing. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzF9oNw1QgR_cA850GyVEE_0Uylw5VEFq2iU5e3loikHXD8kzfOh7gjRnkK9teMhTVzamUhCTWnQ2rIdWlBHht1HyEuB2LTJlkDJDyiCPqV8l-ZDvvscH6b7qJQbFLyHCaN531eQscWqS/s1600/greenhouse3sm.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 138px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzF9oNw1QgR_cA850GyVEE_0Uylw5VEFq2iU5e3loikHXD8kzfOh7gjRnkK9teMhTVzamUhCTWnQ2rIdWlBHht1HyEuB2LTJlkDJDyiCPqV8l-ZDvvscH6b7qJQbFLyHCaN531eQscWqS/s200/greenhouse3sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467763848465359634" border="0" /></a>We are trying to do everything from seed to harvest with out synthetic fertilizers this season, so it has been a bit of a learning experience. I will have to admit that we did use up some old bags of Promix BX, which does contain synthetic micro nutrients. We only did this because I had the bags and didn't want to throw them in the garbage. We are now starting to create our own potting mix with a combination of peat and compost. I will keep you posted on how well it works.<br /><br />I found a product called fish agri, which I am told is used to supply nutrients to the growing seedlings prior to transplant, which I was told is needed in greenhouse production. Admittedly I was quite skeptical that this brown fishy mixture was going to be the answer to growing without synthetics, especially after the first application stunk up my greenhouse for a day.. But sure enough the onions and zinnias, which were starting to look a little yellow, are now green as ever..<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5hud1SA7vH0dFwhpYNYKrJAKdqS-r2-ariHKvianAwAYElPemFEhYx0iZSpVhanrGOOsJ4UdPjtS_GHaHrdfBZz3pe_lWFnwEK7B7g4nOxpHN6IW07xKlCogdYJOCitM9CQE59XmbWxD/s1600/tomgreen1sm.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5hud1SA7vH0dFwhpYNYKrJAKdqS-r2-ariHKvianAwAYElPemFEhYx0iZSpVhanrGOOsJ4UdPjtS_GHaHrdfBZz3pe_lWFnwEK7B7g4nOxpHN6IW07xKlCogdYJOCitM9CQE59XmbWxD/s200/tomgreen1sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467763955500467298" border="0" /></a><br />Last year one of our potato customers gave us some heirloom black tomato seed that he had been saving each year. We grew a number of these plants in our u-pick last year, absolutely amazing flavour, them kept a couple fruit to save the seeds for our selves. From the 5 tomatoes we took seeds from last fall we now have over 100 plants in the greenhouse. We will be growing about 7 varieties in all this year, but one I am most looking forward to is called Chocolate Cherry.Eagle Creek Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04760155537054514906noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484982985721578584.post-37015410839442454642010-04-06T05:35:00.000-07:002010-04-08T05:42:38.132-07:00What does a farmer do in the winter?Did you ever wonder what we farmers do in the winter? Everyone knows there are many long days to be worked during the summer. But when there is snow on the ground, there is very little that can be done outside. Well, here are a few of the projects which have kept us from sitting idle throughout this unusual winter we are now escaping.<br /><br />I have mentioned before that we do not use any synthetic chemicals in our flower and vegetable <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQAnJVrATOrSqJrhzdeKccAN0MR2ZK70lB1ZE439PI328YnbugOxcXg9cEtAX0krdbudAgseWlrNDM6RCJZeArpAHIMUGHg5U9A0lNqzu8OhvNMdMNUDJ3A56oCVnYDUTfAhb2MIUu6bB/s1600/compostturner1+copy.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQAnJVrATOrSqJrhzdeKccAN0MR2ZK70lB1ZE439PI328YnbugOxcXg9cEtAX0krdbudAgseWlrNDM6RCJZeArpAHIMUGHg5U9A0lNqzu8OhvNMdMNUDJ3A56oCVnYDUTfAhb2MIUu6bB/s200/compostturner1+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457742941019463842" border="0" /></a>gardens. To accomplish this we pull weeds by hand and fertilize our u-pick fields with Compost. In total on the farm we spread approximately 150 tonnes of composted manure each year. It takes quite a bit of work to properly turn 250 tonnes of raw manure into usable compost, so to make the job a little easier this season we built this machine. This compost turner will mix up the piles of manure a couple times during the year to create an excellent product to put on our fields. This project kept us busy for the better part of a month with over 50 hours of welding alone. It still needs to get a paint job this summer, but for the mean time you can tell that the metal parts came off at least 5 old, unused machines on our farm.<br /><br />Another idea I have had in my mind since moving back to the farm was to build a greenhouse.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgPP3kfkA8KQb-JoqFZgGXM7QoUstJ34DGnLg3Aj3PQJT2vblwdUP1hEJANbWMW-Q3W3wsCaQvTFdnq2hWGyTto94m2Q3WsNeqJPV4_UCsKirDjH08dwDDtQTfO3lesC6nHPM0W5BWSJX/s1600/greenhouse2+copy.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 102px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgPP3kfkA8KQb-JoqFZgGXM7QoUstJ34DGnLg3Aj3PQJT2vblwdUP1hEJANbWMW-Q3W3wsCaQvTFdnq2hWGyTto94m2Q3WsNeqJPV4_UCsKirDjH08dwDDtQTfO3lesC6nHPM0W5BWSJX/s200/greenhouse2+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457741448326833938" border="0" /></a> For the past 4 years we have worked with Leona from the Jungle Farm at Innisfail to start many of our flower transplants in her <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxMRliFvAPqFXwjw4fh85v4cY8tTgIAyTVCsegv4QZhIHadcoT-6rRfxMr9-hqsxUoh1vQG4EV53GHQfCJmyq9gv8WcGmGMkdON5NJ5HOQpAskDmjOPNT9r3bldECQuGtKXfphlceFMCM/s1600/greenhouse1+copy.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxMRliFvAPqFXwjw4fh85v4cY8tTgIAyTVCsegv4QZhIHadcoT-6rRfxMr9-hqsxUoh1vQG4EV53GHQfCJmyq9gv8WcGmGMkdON5NJ5HOQpAskDmjOPNT9r3bldECQuGtKXfphlceFMCM/s200/greenhouse1+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457743201591342370" border="0" /></a>greenhouse. Now that we are starting a CSA vegetable delivery program, it was time to start all our plants right here on the farm. With the exception of the plastic, the Greenhouse was built from extra metal we had on the farm. Instead of heating the unit with a natural gas furnace we built a heat exchanger on the top of a wood stove which circulates air and water throughout the greenhouse during our cool nights.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5gBSYoR4te0dlJOi3qBbgbL-XWK4RVWPDUJylO70okLy6VSZR-aHObkLFccny9e4y8GIg6WEhfctSDZmUu73RFqtNJCR2ocK8B7GHyUYvT2GjzaHps9PfuJHEE0jC9lRiEsfj_ZUxPjMF/s1600/potatograd2+copy.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5gBSYoR4te0dlJOi3qBbgbL-XWK4RVWPDUJylO70okLy6VSZR-aHObkLFccny9e4y8GIg6WEhfctSDZmUu73RFqtNJCR2ocK8B7GHyUYvT2GjzaHps9PfuJHEE0jC9lRiEsfj_ZUxPjMF/s200/potatograd2+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457741500392487106" border="0" /></a><br />Finally, one of the less know operations on our farm is the selection of over 30 varieties of Mail Order Seed Potatoes we grow for home gardeners. <a href="http://www.seedpotatoes.ca">Eagle Creek Seed Potatoes</a>. We built this machine which rolls the potatoes as they pass by so we can make sure the potatoes we package have no blemishes. If any of you grow a garden, we will be selling and shipping potatoes until the end of April.Eagle Creek Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04760155537054514906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484982985721578584.post-56886695763650736102009-10-11T03:14:00.000-07:002009-10-11T08:02:30.237-07:00Scarecrow Festival<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCAvrrgFu9aZBMw049yEV8fLddy3Ko1GWjfflqGgguHWKxzxi3U3qVOhKed3dLbaCLM8Ivp3btpIISbUgxLnFHDg-UqsVRM7viYELdY_CCHs8qGcXxMsIlErr0GehWgjCgQCLu9mgGpol_/s1600-h/scare1sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCAvrrgFu9aZBMw049yEV8fLddy3Ko1GWjfflqGgguHWKxzxi3U3qVOhKed3dLbaCLM8Ivp3btpIISbUgxLnFHDg-UqsVRM7viYELdY_CCHs8qGcXxMsIlErr0GehWgjCgQCLu9mgGpol_/s200/scare1sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391356636026900770" border="0" /></a>This is our fourth year with the maze and second year with a <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBsdDtK_Z3cWQKS21jsEzyo2AjA7iM9Q9ANe32IN94hQ-YhxvaYJjionnWQArCv464A2e8a2gO3GVIvEnws_kuePdiJBThHQed_vEPWrPc-Py-RgLaY8cpEzu4VqkVOBDwygzYJvXIWkX/s1600-h/scare4+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBsdDtK_Z3cWQKS21jsEzyo2AjA7iM9Q9ANe32IN94hQ-YhxvaYJjionnWQArCv464A2e8a2gO3GVIvEnws_kuePdiJBThHQed_vEPWrPc-Py-RgLaY8cpEzu4VqkVOBDwygzYJvXIWkX/s200/scare4+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391357331963687458" border="0" /></a>pumpkin festival, however, it is only the first year we have found time to enter a scarcrow into the Innisfail Scarecrow Festival. Fortunately one of the Mexican men working for me this fall has experience making unique creatures out of corn. I have a picture on my face book of a large cat he made a couple weeks ago.<br /><br />So I asked him to make a Scarecrow man and a little dog. Sure enough he did some amazing work and our scarecrow one first place in two categories. 1st in the Visiting Category and 1st the Most Creative Category, which we are very proud of.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdH8cnmyGZP5ImxDGFVfvfksag_hEd7UXmRMGCZj03IqG7kej8XF8S9uzXle886qjW_H_naxj494F05qf7LBbjrEHnkg8JIcU72thygH5xGGOFNBqB2ETAOCSf8TJg_oj9UetiaOGDmAwJ/s1600-h/scare2sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdH8cnmyGZP5ImxDGFVfvfksag_hEd7UXmRMGCZj03IqG7kej8XF8S9uzXle886qjW_H_naxj494F05qf7LBbjrEHnkg8JIcU72thygH5xGGOFNBqB2ETAOCSf8TJg_oj9UetiaOGDmAwJ/s200/scare2sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391356644414241378" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HrMptadrhNHHqiYQJZTfU0PoF6Z-R_YtGYlvLwIZrFtmM12I6pfOBgU7XEtzQ0eARz61osDZLpx7y_vhOYVmUx7rEn35GMjOyAkKlYCNpP2OAYgm3kAJLak6VwtnpG8XAPK_DG8URsCI/s1600-h/scare3sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HrMptadrhNHHqiYQJZTfU0PoF6Z-R_YtGYlvLwIZrFtmM12I6pfOBgU7XEtzQ0eARz61osDZLpx7y_vhOYVmUx7rEn35GMjOyAkKlYCNpP2OAYgm3kAJLak6VwtnpG8XAPK_DG8URsCI/s200/scare3sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391357320421005522" border="0" /></a><br />Epiphanio is the main artist, although Roberto and I put some work into the display as well. <br /><br />Epiphanio is the man up on the truck and Roberto is holding the ScarecrowEagle Creek Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04760155537054514906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484982985721578584.post-68997738031595873272009-10-07T17:35:00.000-07:002009-10-07T18:11:06.982-07:00Pumpkin Festival<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OclfaodcYeuHoY_ccY6SukccyPw9z0KltvKuzqETMRZKne7a42pDbvfnmtHBSWIyVtMtVZ8NHiqih9aV5BM2rggrCuPv6fBO_DC5dT3-w1Iv-m_vsxVE6_SrPfFE0_witiGXtJidPsPm/s1600-h/pumpkinfestblog.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OclfaodcYeuHoY_ccY6SukccyPw9z0KltvKuzqETMRZKne7a42pDbvfnmtHBSWIyVtMtVZ8NHiqih9aV5BM2rggrCuPv6fBO_DC5dT3-w1Iv-m_vsxVE6_SrPfFE0_witiGXtJidPsPm/s200/pumpkinfestblog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390024583060006146" border="0" /></a>Summer has passed us by and we are now in Pumpkin Mode on the farm. This will be a second season hosting a Pumpkin Festival on the farm which is themed around the Halloween season.<br /><br />Surprisingly the Sunflower & Corn Mazes are quite resilient and remain open and navigable until the end of October. The sunflowers have finished their bloom and their seed have matured. You are more than welcome to nibble at the seeds when traveling the mazes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaw5iojClMe2GrP-4z4Y-k_MufzeqpYVrUn1g2h-CjWzk1QWmrSbpU-8zwvMVjtAh-ECJe4ZUy-naEDtGki7rDScanyDUwS5wE9uzRYV7WBoSaU6O5kHcMa5GmDl_JbMx4I69NznTAregk/s1600-h/farmstoresm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 145px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaw5iojClMe2GrP-4z4Y-k_MufzeqpYVrUn1g2h-CjWzk1QWmrSbpU-8zwvMVjtAh-ECJe4ZUy-naEDtGki7rDScanyDUwS5wE9uzRYV7WBoSaU6O5kHcMa5GmDl_JbMx4I69NznTAregk/s200/farmstoresm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390028181067172098" border="0" /></a><br />One very unique aspect to our festival is the large potato storage shed we convert into three indoor event rooms. Our farm store which is open all summer long. A kids Craft and Face Painting Room. Then last is our Pumpkin and lunch room. So even if the weather is undesirable, come inside and enjoy a warm break from the mazes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTderaZVFJCF8zEqcpoXLPO8PrfN6OFNxirP89vAdxE30cTfO_RJBV6IStsjscqbv6cn8AVmqwLNgaOupSsRzvzLWP3NuimcEjz5FPlmw4zBEAY28Cru5gMPfSvFa-8Nnn6lKQ0fxqF0Sr/s1600-h/spidersm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 89px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTderaZVFJCF8zEqcpoXLPO8PrfN6OFNxirP89vAdxE30cTfO_RJBV6IStsjscqbv6cn8AVmqwLNgaOupSsRzvzLWP3NuimcEjz5FPlmw4zBEAY28Cru5gMPfSvFa-8Nnn6lKQ0fxqF0Sr/s200/spidersm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390027662843736706" border="0" /></a><br />Of course it is a Pumpkin Festival and what would a pumpkin festival be without Pumpkins, Pumpkins & more Pumpkins? Not too worry our pumpkin crop this year was absolutely fantastic and we harvested nearly 1000 ranging from small 3lb pumpkins to a record size for us at 45lbs<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysUgK7Urd1U3p5uwy5ESHw3xy1SdnUgwBVw3HsbnQ8a02a298hpZexFPu_6pDwnlc94NwjL-B_lMuJBQrijTChMt1lh0pbm19XrtbKiJs7R0gKfbZN2FjXQ0xFg2oVmBNVaCRHOwId_kr/s1600-h/pumpkin1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 113px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysUgK7Urd1U3p5uwy5ESHw3xy1SdnUgwBVw3HsbnQ8a02a298hpZexFPu_6pDwnlc94NwjL-B_lMuJBQrijTChMt1lh0pbm19XrtbKiJs7R0gKfbZN2FjXQ0xFg2oVmBNVaCRHOwId_kr/s200/pumpkin1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390029877632053794" border="0" /></a>The Pumpkin Festival will be running Every Saturday & Sunday from 11am - 5pm in October. We will be closed if it is a snow storm, so if in doubt please phone before hitting the road. 403 224-3995 or toll free 1877 224-3939.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHXKbyuFdFLR5dTrrKkhEDd0fhlkT-ucmsklBeEHN0NYPa4SM3fKB4ichSSxuOrOeIEoIYLg5tou1GAoJmypeZziNzqocj6xDtLFZdlGXUugHsflBPkoZmJDeD_pI9kj5rfaqpdNM7ZDh/s1600-h/pumpkin1.jpg"><br /></a>Eagle Creek Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04760155537054514906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484982985721578584.post-69581094663945961742009-09-08T06:30:00.001-07:002009-09-08T06:43:50.326-07:00Garlic PartyWell things are a go for Wednesday September 9th Garlic Party.. We have the shed all set up to break apart the garlic bulbs and the field is tilled and ready for planting.<br /><br />So it will be a bit of an informal event this year, but we do have a little bit planned for the day. To start with we have to break the bulbs that we will be planting into each individual clove. Once this is done we can then take them to the field and push them into the ground one by one. Only about 50 000 to 80 000 to plant this year, so not too many. Don't worry we won't be getting it all done in one day. What isn't planted on wednesday we will be getting in the ground over the next week with the help of some local high school students.<br /><br />I am going to be working from 7am till late in the evening, so feel free to stop by at any time during the day. Our farm is located at the Bowden SunMaze, www.sunmaze.ca/contact.htm. There is a map on the website and you can follow hiway signs from the QE2 out to the farm.<br /><br />For any one will be coming out give yourself 3-6 hours or more. If you are able to help for a couple hours with the garlic I would be happy to let you test your navigational skills in the sunflower & Corn maze. Also our U-pick fields are still full of flowers and vegetables & at 12:00 and 6:00 we will be cooking up some bison burgers on the BBQ.<br /><br />If you have any questions send me an e-mail at john@eaglecreekfarms.caEagle Creek Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04760155537054514906noreply@blogger.com1