February 2nd marks the halfway point between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox.
This first moment of spring is the time we begin seeding the crops of summer 2021
The snowdrops are out, lambs are being born, and we are seeding the first crops of 2021. In the Celtic seasonal calendar, this moment in the year is called Imbolc and signals the beginning of spring. Pictured above are some of the seeds Rumi and I saved from our Teddy Bear sunflowers, a cheerful crop that we grow just for fun! Next week the first tomatoes, peppers, onions, and leeks will be in pots on the heat benches. It's an exciting time of year on the farm; there is still plenty of time for planning, tea drinking, and winter projects, but all the idealism of a new season is also with us! You may also be feeling this spring rush, and before you purchase your seeds I would like to direct you to an incredible fundraiser collaboration with West Coast Seeds in support of Rumi's preschool.
Here is how it works:
Visit the West Coast Seeds Fundraiser website
Choose your seeds
Once you have completed your order, find our organization on the dropdown menu - Salt Spring Coop Preschool.
Our preschool will receive 40% of the sales!
Add in your details so that we can contact you when the orders are ready for pick up.
Many of you will recognize the Co-op Preschool by the beautiful sunflower motif adorning the classroom, which is adjacent to the skate park on Kanaka road. Rumi has been attending this lovely program for two years now. This autumn, Ellis and I initiated the "preschool yard expansion project", turning what was once an old parking lot (literally!) into a new eco-playground paradise for the kids. This multi-year, legacy project aims to double the outdoor area available for play, while also restoring the land into a biodiverse ecosystem with plantings of fruit trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals. At the same time we plan to rebuild the beloved pirate ship, expand the bike loop, and create more outdoor covered spaces. If you feel inspired to support this project, please participate in our seed fundraiser or simply donate using the DONATE button on our preschool website. Our goal for this project is 40,000 in financial and in kind donations!
Keeping with the theme of seeds and returning sun, this week we want to encourage you to fill up on BULK SUNFLOWER OIL. We purchase this certified organic product in 55 Gallon drums and instead of packing it up we would like to experiment with a 'fill your own container' system.
Bulk Sunflower Oil (bring your own container) - $8/L
As we dream up all the ways to pack, display, store, and dispense products in our new barn, we would love to hear your feedback. How would you like to shop for bulk food in our new store?
Do you know someone who is interested in organic food, farm fresh flowers, and community projects? Please share this newsletter with them and they can sign up to receive it for themselves!