Henry Hudson wearily asks, "Is winter over yet?"

This week it's still technically winter but there are signs of life abounding here at HMG.

Chervil

One of the surprising (and under utilized)  herbs that somehow survived the winter intact and happy.

Chives

A sign of spring is the emergence of this perenniel herb.

Korean Licorice Mint

We know spring is here when we start seeing the emergence of this herb that produces lavender flowers that the bees find irrestible up until the frost.

Giant Parsley of Italy

Also a winter survivor both in the high tunnels and more surprisingly outside!  A definite herb to plant in this zone for who can do without parsley all year round?

Henry and Butters

Guess who became best friends from mortal enemies just a few months ago.  These two are inseparable.  We still think Butters is a human trapped in a French Bulldog's body.

Garlic, garlic, and more garlic.

Planted last October, these babies will hopefully provide us with 250+ bulbs to use throughout the summer to the following spring.  One of the easiest things to grow, one of the healthiest things to eat and the tastiest as well.  We have 6 varieties planted.

Sorrel

One of the first greens to appear in the spring.  Sorrel is a perennial that can be divided every few years and provides a beautiful lemony flavor to soups and sauces.

Leeks

Planted last summer, these were overwintered and getting nice and thick.

HH and Archie Ready for Farm Duty

Henry and Archie are ready to do farm work.  Here they are seen reporting for duty.

The Greenhouse

Our winter and spring supply of baby lettuces.

Witch Hazel

The very first to flower in these climes, these sometimes appear as early as February.  And well before forsythia.

The Witch on the Hook

Witch hazel with Hook Mountain as the backdrop.

Soil Blocks

This is how we start out our seeds.  Sustainability efforts mean no flimsy plastics are used and solar energy provides juice for heat mats and grow lights.

Golden Beet Sprouts

Prepping for spring planting.

Last year we were able to get our shell peas and sugar snap peas out much earlier but with the 2 feet of snow in the beginning of March we solved the problem by seeding these indoors in large soil blocks.  They are going to ground on March 19th, one day before spring.

Sleeping Dog

Well, Henry did report for duty but was found reneging on his farm duties.  Such is the life of a French Bulldog farm dog.