Shining Rock Creek Hike

This hike is an amazing hike almost anytime of the year, though I wouldn't recommend it during the summer as it is strenuous.

The 18,500 acres of Shining Rock Wilderness is located in northwestern corner of Pisgah National Forest. Shining Rock Creek trail follows the creek beginning from the Big East Fork trailhead located off HWY 276 in Cruso.

Seeds of Life

It was a lovely drive home from work today. As if it wasn't enough to leave behind a hectic work weekend, mother nature gave me a reason to smile as well.  Days of warm temperatures and today's rain brought about more growth and beauty.
I love the beginning of a new growing season.
Every morning there is something new to welcome and new growth by evening!  This morning, like every morning I walked around the gardens.  The spinach seeds that we planted last weekend sprouted on Friday but carrots planted the same day had yet to emerge.  Until today.  This morning the carrots began to peek out.  A few sprouts here and there.  By the time I returned home this evening the amount of sprouts had more than quadrupled! 
We already have a fair amount of crops started for 2012 here at Rothe Farms.  Kale, leeks, celery, cilantro and spinach from fall have taken off and are looking great.  We have three varieties of cabbage, red onions and potatoes that are developing nicely.  The herb garden is looking excellent as well.  Though I lost a lavender, everything else seems to be coming along nicely.  The stevia, which is a tropical plant has survived another winter and is emerging out of the mulch.  The curry plant, parsley, valerian root, spanish lavender, thymes and oreganos all survived the mild winter.  The herb garden also has four rosemary plants and I am hoping for some flowers on them this year.  The roman chamomile is green and spreading.  The fennel which also stayed green all winter is growing larger each day and I'm wondering if it will grow as tall as the house again like last year.  And the feverfew is just about to blossom.
The greenhouses Patch made will be getting some use again.  Today we started the first of the warm weather crops.  Basil, tomatoes and squash will spend their first night inside on top of the washing machine before they are moved out to spend their days in the greenhouses.

Spring is a time to gaze at creation with the wonder of a child.  To be refreshed with the newness of life of life.  And to be reborn.

A new season at Rothe Farms

Spring.
It's a new season and I think this year is going to be even better than last year!  Rothe Farms has come a long way in the last year.  The 2011 growing season was great.  We were overwhelmed with the about of produce that we harvested.  2011 gave us incredible amounts of tomatoes and peppers as well as cabbage, greens, onions, squash and cucumbers.  The first Rothe Farms salsa and cucumber relish was canned.

And we can't wait to do it all over again.

Cauliflower!

Everyday holds a little bit of excitement during the growing seasons.  I love that I can go outside and look at nature's overnight progress.
Change.
Hope.
Little bits of progress are seen all over the garden at the start of this week.  Peppers and tomatoes are starting to form.  In fact, Patrick has already had to start making tomato supports.  The potatoes are popping out of the ground.  Little sprouts are becoming small plants.  And flowers are blooming.  The air smells amazing at dusk from the wild honeysuckle that surrounds the yard.
Looks like this week we will be in for some cooler temperatures which is always good for working in the gardens.  With last weeks highs reaching into the 80's we could already use a break from the heat.  Hopefully this week brings as much or more rain than last week! 
Sadly I report that the baby mice that we rescued did not make it.  Patrick did such a great job providing round the clock care to the little ones.  But sadly they were just not able to thrive without their mom.  Fortunately we have the Rothe Farm Rats to love on.  And we may have a little chipmunk running around the house that Makita the cat chased in and has yet to find!
We have lots to be thankful for and to look forward to. 

Harvesting the broccoli

Hmmmm. There's nothing like eating fresh vegetables that you have grown yourself. 
The broccoli we planted here at Rothe Farms is ready to harvest.  We got a good crop and the florets are huge!  Did you know that broccoli is actually a whole bunch of potential little flowers?  So if you don't pick your broccoli you will end up with tall stalks of yellow flowers.  Broccolli is best before this process begins.  But no worries if you are late, the broccoli still tastes great!
We now have to decide what to put in where the broccoli is now.  Beans maybe?  I would like to plant more broccoli.  Broccoli can be grown early in the growing season and mid to late season here in WNC.  So, hopefully come july we will be planting more for a late summer harvest.
Everyone should grow something.  Gardening is life affirming.  Gardening nurtures our relationship with earth.  It is also better for the environment to grow and share your food. 
Satisfaction.
Guaranteed.
Gardening may not be for everyone.  But it is for me.

Baby mice rescue update

The baby mice are doing well!  Thanks to Patrick's TLC it looks like the babies will pull through!
Yesterday Patrick brought the babies to work to ensure that they are fed and loved.  Unfortunately today Patrick was sick and stayed home which was to the babies advantage as he was able to give them care.  Last night we set the alarm and got up around 2:30 am to feed and love on the babies.
They are still succling milk from the paint brush but we are happy the are eating.  Hopefully they will be eating from a dropper within a few days.
Of course they are cute as can be.  They have a lot of fight in them and crawl around quickly.  It has been a great experience for both Patrick and myself.