Hi, April! The Latest News from Farm & Larder and Bella Luna Farms

After a very challenging month of March for us all, we are greeting the arrival of April with hope for healthier days ahead—you are all in our thoughts and we send our warmest wishes for your health and happiness during this time. As we too are hunkered down here at the farm, we’ve been keeping ourselves busy with the many tasks and chores that spring normally brings.

And there are signs of spring everywhere: New seedlings emerging from the ground; sun peeking through the trees and a wave of blossoms. Nestled amongst the sea of early daffodils, other flowers have also begun to bud, including the rhododendrons, native trilliums and primroses, as well as evergreen huckleberries and hot pink salmonberry flowers—a favorite snack of the girls, both feathered and furred. These spring blooms regularly find their way onto the farmhouse table, bringing a delightful glimpse of the season inside.

Spring is also starting to crop up in the vegetable garden, where we have been both weeding and adding compost, then getting the first sweet peas, snap peas, favas, onions, and leek starts going in the hoop house to be ready for planting, as well as early spring lettuces, Swiss chard, kale, beets, and carrots going into the ground . The herbs continue to grow in the walled garden, kissing the air with the savory scent of thyme, parsley and chives.

The animals have been a great comfort to us: Our new brood of laying hens have been laying, laying, laying in between strutting around their enclosure and pecking at seeds. (One night we found seven eggs tucked in one straw nest!) Our gaggle of goats, and our sweet shaggy donkey, never fail to bring us a smile and Miette, the farmdog, is always ready for a snuggle or pet.

We hope to see you all here soon and look forward to the days of gatherings, celebrations and workshops again. As always, we wish you the best this season and hope you are staying safe and well at home.