In August, We’ll Be Eatin’ Salsa
It has officially been one month since we arrived at our acre of frozen, degraded pasture in mid March. Rocky Branch Farm is beginning to look a lot more like a farm with seeds germinating by the thousand in our recently completed propagation greenhouse. Caterpillar tunnel construction is under way (despite missing components), and we have received and assembled nearly all of our tools. We have prepped about one quarter of an acre of land for planting and will begin direct seeding carrots, radishes, and peas outside within a week.
Day one of greenhouse construction with Rhianna’s Family
Wood frame nearly complete
Framed and wrapped with tables under way
We did it! Completed 20’ x 12’ propagation greenhouse for under $1,000
Action shot
Watching those tiny cotyledons push their way into the light has given us just enough hope to keep pressing on. There’s no sense in sugar coating it - it has been a tough month. We are worn thin from camping out, cooking on the ground, and washing dishes in the rain. It has been cold, wet, and windy. We are both working jobs off-farm and have not taken a day off since our arrival. It would be easier to give up if we hadn’t spent all our savings on seeds and equipment.
Caterpillar tunnel has arrived! At least most of it…
It has to get easier, right? I doubt it, but at least it’s going to get warmer. And we will eat fresh vegetables every day.
Greenhouse is looking greener
Hope has also arrived in the form of visits from friends and family, some of whom we haven’t seen in over two years while we were farming and traveling out west. While sitting around a campfire, above our fields and below the stars, drinking good beer and telling stories, I get hit with a wave of gratitude. I remember that all the frustrating days and cold mornings are worth it to be able to be with these people again.
Laying makeshift sandbags with Rhianna’s parents
Out to lunch with my mom!
Before we know it, we will be picking tomatoes, peppers, onions and herbs in the sun and making salsa in the evening. It’s hard to imagine that this day will ever arrive, but I keep telling myself that in August, somehow, we’ll be eatin’ salsa. If I say it enough times it has to be true, right? Yeah, that’s how it works. In August, we’ll be eatin’ salsa! As long as the greenhouse doesn’t blow away or collapse under snow…
6 to 10 inches of snow in the mountains! (thankfully only an inch at the farm)
