864-3083 annelore@mts.net www.bluelagoonorganics Happy

864-3083
annelore@mts.net
www.bluelagoonorganics
Happy Winter.
It's been a glorious winter on the prairies weatherwise but there has been a
worrysome lack of snow. As you can see in the picture, our alfalfa field has no snow
cover. Not only will snow deliver lots of
moisture to the soils, insulation to fragile
roots, but it also delivers nitrogen. In fact,
snow captures nitrogen from the
atmosphere. It is estimated that 2 to 12
pounds of nitrogen are deposited per acre
as a result of snow and rain. It has been
called the "poor man's fertilizer." This day
is getting better and better. It's -2 C with
snow flakes falling from the sky.
In the greenhouse it's 25 C. Since
we are certified organic we cannot buy
starter plants. We have to start all our own
seedlings from certified organic seeds. We
already have some seedlings in the
germinator. When they have germinated,
we take them out and put them on heat
mats . At night we put plastic tents over
them for cold protection. On sunny days it
gets so hot, we have to keep the doors open.
We work in our shirtsleeves in temperatures
up to 40 C. It's our version of going to a hot
place in the winter. Pumpkin our cat enjoys
the heat in spite of wearing a fur coat. He is
sunbathing right in the middle of the
planting space.
Our chickens like to sit in the sun as
well. They are quite anxious to get outside. These are new chickens we got as chicks last
year, silver lace wyandottes and ameraucanas. The ameraucanas lay bluish, greenish or
pink eggs. The
Wyandottes lay
brown eggs.
They have come
of age now and
as the days get
longer they are
starting to lay.
It's such a treat
to eat our own
organic eggs
again. The
soiled hay
bedding we
scoop up is
valuable
fertilizer as it
composts. on the
pile outside,
waiting to be
spread on the growing beds.
We enjoy the slow pace of winter but our first WWOOFer arrives March 1st. and
then it will be farming as usual. Until then, there are several conferences to attend in
Winnipeg. This weekend is the Food Matters' Growing Local Conference.
February 17th is the last opportunity to register on line. The conference is on February 24
& 25. Food matters is a registered charity and home of the Manitoba Food Charter. They
promote food security and state:
1. Food locally grown tastes and looks better.
2. Local Food supports local farm families.
3. Local food builds trust.
4. Local food builds community.
5. Local food preserves open space.
6. Local food keeps taxes down.
7. Local food benefits the environment and wildlife.
8. Local Food makes a lighter carbon footprint.
9. Local food preserves genetic diversity.
10. Local food is an investment in our future
If you want an explanation to
any of these statements, check
out the Food Matters website
www.foodmattersmanitoba.ca
We have updated our website www.bluelagoonorganics.com and our sign up
brochure can now be downloaded and mailed in.
In spite of rising food costs we have not raised our prices from last year. Subscriptions
have started to come in and we hope to collaborate with you again this year.