2020 Interesting Spring

Spring still came even with COVID-19 on the rise. And Sister Moon Gardens has been changing and expanding in this time of uncertainty. The wheels were already in motion for big things requiring big equipment to happen once the weather got better. The weather got better and they came. First the liming truck to dump the next round of lime on the SW, West and the SE fields. That was a bizarre and slightly stressful event as even a slight breeze can pick up that light lime dust and send it flying. And this guy was like a race car driver around the field, dropping tons of lime and dolomite. I don’t see having to do that again (thankfully). The soil test next year will show how far we’ve moved the pH from acidic to more alkaline.

Then my friend, Dean Blades, of the Colton Winery brought his excavator over to make the West field a bit more level to accommodate a perennial cover crop (otherwise known as a lawn) where future events and gatherings will happen. I’ve chosen a seed mix of about 5 different Fescue varieties because of the need for minimal upkeep, good under occasional heavy traffic, a lush green color and ok in partial shade.

The high tunnel is planted for the first round. I chose greens: spinach, lettuce, arugula, bok choi, tat soi, kale and a patch of cilantro. I got a late start because I was just developing the space for the first time. Next year, I’ll have things in the ground by February, I hope, and some overwintering crops to blend into early Spring needs. Now, the high tunnel is getting hotter with these recent gorgeous days. I may have to get a shade cloth. However, I’ve got tomato, tomatillo, eggplant and pepper starts ready to go in next and they may love the heat. Its all a learning curve the first year with any new thing.

Peter and I have been making the racks for the new starts to come over to the high tunnel. So far, they are working well, though I can see a need for shade cloth over them as the season progresses. Or, I’ll just keep all the new starts in our greenhouse at home. Not sure how that will play out.

Hope your Spring is going well and that your family and dear ones are healthy and being safe.

Sister Moon High Tunnel Transformation

During this COVID-19 era, I am beyond grateful that I have a job where I am working outside and pretty much alone. The farm is at my parent’s house so I get to check on them almost daily. This is a blessing to me.

I have cancelled my gardening class on April 4th until the bans are lifted. The risk is low in this environment, but I want to support people self-quarantining and staying home as much as possible. In the meantime, OSU is offering their master gardener short course series for free. Check out the site:

https://workspace.oregonstate.edu/course/master-gardener-short-course-series?fbclid=IwAR3BVvjrzTHzF0hIwMAEyu8oUQ22hs9qTQ85TSziYGumoR4As0T_vD9-OWQ

I will be putting plants into the high tunnel soon. The starts are ready and beds are almost ready. I’ve used 2 of the implements I got with my BCS tractor to prepare the high tunnel soil: the flail mower and the rotary plow. Picture 1 is the Flail Mower, picture 2 is the rotary plow. I used the plow twice because the first time I didn’t go down deep enough. The learning curve on this machine is steep for me. But each time I use it, we become better friends. I still suck at making a straight line, though!

Pictures 3 and 4 show me shaping the beds to receive amendments. I’ll be using the last implement I got with the BCS to stir in the amendments: the Power Harrow. Another learning opportunity.

Planning the configuration of the space almost broke my mind. There are many, many options. I chose 4 - 4 foot beds, which I’m used to planting in, at 75 feet long to give room on the ends to turn the tractor around and have a staging area for maintenance and harvest. That’s 1200 sq. feet of planting space, doubling the amount I planted out last year! I chose 2 foot pathways because I like ease of movement and the ability to bring a wheelbarrow down the bed if I want. I also chose to leave a 5 foot space along the East side to build racks for my starts and have a propagation area right in the high tunnel so I don’t have to build another structure right away.

Spring is here and I will be planting my starts in the new beds in the next couple of days. I’m very excited! Another piece of the dream in place.

Be well and breathe in deeply the promise of Spring.

First plantings at Sister Moon Gardens

The new high tunnel changes everything! It changes when I can start planting seeds indoors both as starts or direct plantings, it changes the schedule of succession crop plantings because my season can start so much earlier, and it changes how soon I can start bringing food to Harmony Baked. Very exciting and mentally time consuming as I work out all the details to make all of that flow well.

My first task was to switch from using so much plastic in the keiki hut (propogation house). I built cedar flats to hold the soil blocks I’ve been wanting to make. It completely changes the feel in the greenhouse to smell the wet cedar warming under the potting soil. Check out the pics below.

I planted spinach and other winter hardy greens in our glass greenhouse at home last fall for our personal use. However, now that spring is coming, the spinach has been growing like gang busters! I delivered the first spinach of the season to Harmony Baked last Thursday. Very exciting for both of us. It is quite gorgeous and they were jazzed to receive it. Soon, that spinach will be growing in the high tunnel at the farm.

I rotary plowed the soil in the high tunnel most recently after using the flail mower on the crimson clover cover crop. Me and my BCS walk behind tractor are still getting to know each other and each implement gives me a new chance to see what this thing can do. Soon I’ll be using the power harrow to finish the beds and then its direct seeding time. Soon after that, plant starts I’ve got going in the green house will go in.

And speaking of new plants, my friend Claire Mathes gave me a gift the other day. I got discounted blue berry and evergreen huckleberry plants as well as raspberry, Marion berry and Logan berry canes. I’m putting in the berry field at half the price! Here are pics of me putting in the blueberries last week - 6 different varieties that will take me from early in the season to late, and everything in between. Canes go in on the next sunny day run.

All of this activity is setting the farm up to be a more interesting host for my first gardening class. SATURDAY, APRIL 4TH from NOON-2 PM at $25/person at Sister Moon Gardens. Check the website calendar for more information. If you are on my class mailing list, you will receive a more complete description of the class. Contact me by email or phone to secure your spot. (503)735-5447 or sistermoongardens@gmail.com.

Harmony has changed hands!

HAVE YOU HEARD?! Harmony Bakery has changed hands as of December 22, 2019. They reopened on January 4th with a fresh look, a new schedule (open 6 am-3 pm everyday) and a menu that honors the old and brings in some new. Sister Moon Gardens has started a working relationship with Jenny and Corey, the new owners. Jenny is the niece of Linda Lawrence, the former owner, and this transition has been seamless. You’ll see the same staff with a few new faces to fill out the daily schedule. And, hopefully, soon you’ll see some salad greens from my garden. Plus, I’m making their pickled beets, pickled onions and sauerkraut.

With the addition of the high tunnel, I’ll be able to get growing sooner and provide produce to the restaurant for longer because this wonderful structure extends my seasons. Thank you to NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) and the grant I received to get this in place. 2020 promises to be a booming year with lots of change and expansion.

Farmer's Work in January

It has been a super year already in 2020 at Sister Moon Gardens! I invested in a new BCS 739 hand tractor with a 32” Power Harrow, a 30” flail mower and a rotary plow. I’ve discovered over the past 2 years that this farmer needs more help prepping the fields and beds. Then I can get to the fun part faster - planting and growing. This is going to be a total game changer for me and I look forward to opening up the soil under the high tunnel soon.

Speaking of the high tunnel, I did a soil test on that area plus the field outside of it. I got my results and talked with a soil consultant at Concentrates, Inc. and he helped put together a beginning plan for this season. More lime and Azomite to start. Then feather meal, fish bone meal and potash just before the first plowing. As you can imagine with old Christmas tree land, the soil was pretty depleted. This will amp it up when combined with the quality compost I have. I’m excited to get into it!

And get into it, I will, with my new seeds from Johnny’s and Territorial. With these and others from last year, I’ll put together the planting plan soon and start putting seeds in next month. I’m hoping to put a propagation hut inside the high tunnel to expand the space available for plant starts this year. Our super fabulous glass greenhouse at home is just too small for my growing operation. With the addition of the high tunnel, I can begin my season a lot sooner than before. You’ll see Sister Moon Gardens greens at Harmony sooner than last year.

Happy Holidays from Sister Moon!

Holiday greetings from the garden at Sister Moon. I have been busy birthing a new edition to the farm this fall - our High Tunnel. With a grant from NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service), we purchased a 30’ X 96’ covered growing space that will extend our season on both ends and increase our farm profits by double at least! The weather goddess shined down on us as we built this beauty in good weather during October and November. I worked with a FABULOUS builder named Nathan McFall of Converging Creeks Construction, LLC of Colton, Oregon. I believe I have a new friend for life. He also has a farm that is further along than mine so I’m picking his brain for ideas as this new area is being developed. He’s a great builder and a great guy. I feel super blessed we’ve met. Thanks, Kim at NRCS, for his contact info! And thanks to Peter Bush, Jack Townes and Rod Stewart for coming to help pull the plastic over the top. Wow! Made it look easy.

Fall Farm Update

The Fall Equinox brought with it almost a curtain dropping of cold, wet weather. I’ve been diligently watching the 10-day forecasts, waiting for that perfect window of sun to get the fields tilled and re-seeded with the winter cover crop. Well, I got them tilled the first time but a second time is best before seeding and so the wait continues.

I’m winterizing my active garden, one bed at a time, completing the harvest of each crop and carting off their remains to the compost pile. It feels good to be reminded of the bounty of the season as I lay each bed to rest. Year 2 was successful and challenging. The pests found the garden and reminded me that I’ve stirred up the balance in this space. Year 3 will be better, as things start to equalize and by Year 4, the soil will hopefully be so healthy the plants will thrive with few pest issues.

The Sauerkraut 101 classes in the new farm kitchen were so much FUN! It felt like folks went away happy with the information and jazzed to have their own quart jar of fermenting cabbage to tend. I got many messages from the students about their successes and their launch into the next sauerkraut batch on their own. Very exciting!

I haven’t offered another class because the heavy fall harvest on the farm began (including pesto and salsa making) and I haven’t had any quiet time to develop another curriculum. Plus, I finally found a builder to help me put up a greenhouse in the field at the farm, which will be happening soon. This will take up all my time until its completion. Those interested in classes, keep checking back to my facebook page and website for offerings. Or subscribe on my website and I’ll send you a personal invite the second another class is offered. I foresee not offering one until the turn of the year. January and February feel like the months I’ll have time to sit and create a host of classes to unveil over next year, including gardening classes in the Spring. Thanks for your patience.

Have a fabulous Fall season.

Estacada's last Farmer's Market of the 2019 season

Hey, All.

This Saturday, the 21st, is the last Estacada Farmer’s Market and Sister Moon Gardens will be there. Our table will feature the final summer squash, red slicing tomatoes, yellow cherry tomatoes, garlic braids and heads, red and green cabbages, kale, chard, head lettuce, fresh herbs and tin can bouquets. You might also see fresh sauerkraut if I get my act together.

Thanks for a great 2019 season. I learned a lot.

Look to the Sister Moon Gardens website for more classes this Fall, Winter and into Spring. They will happen in the kitchen and the garden, so stay tuned. If you want to be on my e-mailing list for personal class alerts, subscribe on the website.

A big thanks and yahoo! to the participants in the Sauerkraut 101 classes this month. It was a wonderful initiation of the new farm kitchen and I anticipate years of good times preparing food in different ways together.

Sister Moon NOT at 9.14.19 Estacada Farmer's Market

Due to having a cold for the last 5 days that continues to keep me down, I am not coming to market tomorrow. My highest priority is being well for the 2nd Sauerkraut 101 class in my farm kitchen on Sunday the 15th. Sorry for the inconvenience of no market table. My hope is to be back for the final market of the season on the 21st with fresh sauerkraut on the table for sale.

Have a great weekend.

Sister Moon Gardens at 9.7.19 Estacada Farmer's Market

Now is the time to get to the market. Estacada Farmer’s Market ends on September 21st. Sister Moon Gardens is starting to wrap up the season. However, the bounty for the table continues! Our field tomatoes are ripening beautifully and you’ll see large, red slicers and sweet, yellow cherry tomatoes this Saturday. The summer squashes are still abundant - yellow and green zukes and patty pans make tasty veggie steaks on the grill or fresh, raw salads with a tart vinaigrette or a replacement for noodles in a lasagna. Garlic braids have been a hit and there will be more this weekend. The cabbages have been exceptional this year and several sizes from 3 varieties will be on the table. Freshly made sauerkraut will be making a showing next week. The first product from our new farm kitchen!

Those coming to the Sauerkraut 101 classes have another opportunity to reserve your spot with payment by visiting me at the market. Cash or check is accepted at $25/person. Checks should be made out to “Lisa Fuller”.

See you at the market!

Sister Moon Gardens at Estacada Market 8.31.19

Fill your market basket at the Sister Moon Gardens booth at the Estacada Farmer’s Market, Saturday, August 31st from 11 am - 3 pm. We’re deep in the bounty of the end of summer. Summer squash, cabbage, greens, carrots, green beans, scallions, head lettuce, cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs, garlic braids, and tin can bouquets.

Also, the sauerkraut classes are full in September. If you are on my list and haven’t paid to reserve your spot, come and see me at the market. You can pay by cash or check - $25/person. Or send me a check in the mail to: Lisa Fuller, 27187 S. Benjamin Rd., Estacada, OR 97023.

See you at the market!

Sister Moon Sauerkraut 101 Blunder

Ok…confession. Somewhere between last Friday and this Monday I lost my only list of the class participants for my Sauerkraut class on Sept. 8th. I have looked high and low to no avail. I am not able to recreate the list completely, so I’m putting it out there again.

However, I’m adding a second date to choose from because there was so much interest I had a waiting list. You can now choose from Sept. 8th or Sept. 15th. Both are Sundays and both will be from 1-4 pm at the farm kitchen on Duus Rd.

Please contact me again with your wishes. The original class members will be given first dibs on the 8th. I am also asking interested people to pay the class fee up front to reserve your spot. I will be at the Estacada Farmers Market on Saturdays from 11 am - 3 pm (8/17, 8/31, 9/7, 9/14) and you can bring $25 in cash or check to me there. Or you can send a check to me at: Lisa Fuller, 27187 S. Benjamin Rd., Estacada, OR 97023.

If you are seeing this for the first time, this class will be going over all the basics of vegetable fermentation using sauerkraut as our example. The goal is to make this process easy, complete and accessible so you can move from the basics (cabbage and salt) to more advanced creations (kim chi, pickles…). And you will go home with your own quart of brewing sauerkraut with my on going support till its completion.

Contact me if you are interested: sistermoongardens@gmail.com, (503)735-5447

Sister Moon at Estacada Farmers Market Saturday the 17th

It’s a bountiful week at Sister Moon Gardens! You’ll want to come to the Estacada Farmers Market this Saturday from 11 am - 3 pm and see what’s on my table. GREEN BEANS, CABBAGE, BUTTER LETTUCE, GREEN HERITAGE ZUCCHINI, YELLOW BUTTERY ZUCCHINI, PATTY PAN SQUASH, BIG SCALLIONS, GARLIC, CARROTS, KALE, CHARD, EDIBLE FLOWERS, AND FRESH HERBS.

You can also sign up for the Sauerkraut 101 classes I’m offering on Sept. 8th and 15th from 1-4 pm. For $25, you’ll get instructions on how to be successful with your vegetable ferments, you’ll walk away with a quart of brewing sauerkraut and you’ll have instructions and support from me until its done. I take cash or check to reserve your spot.

SEE YOU AT THE MARKET!

Sister Moon not at Market Saturday and Sauerkraut class is full!

Sister Moon Gardens will not be at the Estacada Farmers Market this Saturday because it is the Vintage Fair at Wade Creek House Antiques and it is a whole day affair. My veggies wouldn’t last the whole day and vendors are required to stay the entire time. I’ll be back to market on Saturday the 17th at 11 am.

The Sauerkraut 101 class at the new Farm Kitchen is full! I am keeping a waiting list in case someone cancels so if you are interested, please let me know and I’ll put you on the list. Plus, interest has been so high, I’m looking at other dates to have another class on sauerkraut and veggie fermentation. I’ll keep you posted.

Sister Moon is Back at Market Saturday!

My busy July is complete and its time to bring the garden bounty back to the Estacada Farmers Market this Saturday from 11am-3pm. Some new things will be on the table including beautiful green cabbages, yellow and green striped zucchinis, patty pan summer squash, scallions, 4 kinds of kale, baby beets and greens, baby salad greens, garlic, fresh dill, edible flowers, fresh parsley and Tin Can Bouquets.

And a big thank you to all who came through Sister Moon Gardens on the Estacada Garden Tour. I had some great conversations, made some super connections and had fun showing the current garden and talking about our future plans.

Speaking of future plans, I’m teaching my first class in the Farm Kitchen on September 8th from 1pm-4pm. In Sauerkraut 101, we will be going over the basics of vegetable fermentation from ingredient choices to storage upon completion and everything in between. Plus, all participants will walk away with a quart of sauerkraut they’ve made with step by step instructions. If you are interested in being on the e-mail list to receive all class information, go to the website and sign up under “Subscribe”. I’ll be sending out a full letter with information soon.

First Cabbage Harvest

Just got a picture of the first cabbage harvested this year from my friend Katinka. She’s preparing it in some yummy way to take to the Oregon Country Fair where Kolieha and my sweetie, Peter have a booth. They sell everything from paper mache figures and wands to marimbas and Marbelous Mazes and so much more in Booth 938.

If you are going to the Fair, be sure to check them out and say “Hi” for me.

Notice the “Uncorked” wine glass on the right? Its another great Estacada area event that just happened at the end of June. Be sure to put it on your calendar for next year.

Sister Moon on the Estacada Garden Tour July 13th!

Sister Moon Gardens is on the 2019 Estacada Garden Tour starting at 10 am on Saturday, July 13th and ends at 4 pm. You’ll have an opportunity to see the foundation we’ve laid to transform a 40 year old Christmas tree farm into a food growing haven. As I’ve said in the past, it is a labor of Love.

The garden will be open to walk through and I will be there for questions and conversation about organic food growing, bio-intensive techniques, and all things plant related. I will also have freshly harvested veggies, flowers and herbs to purchase so bring your produce bags or purchase a canvas shopping tote with the Sister Moon logo on it for $8. I’ll also have our soft t-shirts with the logo available for $12. I’ve had several people tell me it became their favorite shirt because it is sooo cozy. And those of you familiar with the Estacada art scene, the logo was designed by my soon to be sister-in-law, Kolieha Bush! Thank you for bringing cash for farm purchases as I don’t have charging abilities and don’t take checks.

I’m also excited to be able to share my new farm kitchen! I will be using it to make products for direct purchase from produce/fruits grown on the farm as well as for teaching classes on food preservation, veggie fermentation and special diet cooking. There will be a sign-up for those interested in being contacted directly with class dates and times.

For information on how you can join the tour, contact Wade Creek House Antiques at 664 N. W. Wade Street, Estacada, Oregon 503-630-7556. Tickets are $15.00 per person/ $25.00 per couple.

It will be a sweet day to share the vision of Sister Moon Gardens and our commitment to supporting our Estacada community with healthy, local food. I look forward to meeting you there!

Sister Moon not at Market in July

Greetings All. The month of July is a busy one for me. I will be out of town, in a class, and hosting the Estacada Garden Tour. Every weekend is spoken for so no market table for me. I will be back the first weekend in August.

Speaking of the Estacada Garden Tour… Saturday, July 13th the Garden Tour will begin at 10 am and go through 4 pm. Its a great opportunity to see beautiful and unique gardens around the Estacada area and is a fundraiser for Meals on Wheels.

At Sister Moon Gardens, we will be touring the current garden space, showing off the new farm kitchen where classes on food preservation and fermenting will begin in the Fall of 2019 and selling produce harvested from the garden that morning. Bring your grocery bags or coolers so you don’t miss out on a crunchy, sweet lettuce or a big bunch of mild, bright red radishes and other green goodies.

To sign up for the Estacada Garden Tour, stop by Wade Creek House Antiques in Estacada or call (503)630-7556 for further information.

See you at the farm and maybe in my new farm kitchen!

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