This is from my journal at the farm. Its probably a late entry. I may make several entries a day to try to keep up with the backlog of entries I have.

We planted the vineyard gardens today.  I had one gardenin this location last year and learned a bit from it.  Its too hot and dry for things like radishes, carrots, beets but great for vining plants such as squash, gourds, pumpkins, watermelons and such.  So in the first plot, we planted yukon gold potatoes.  I think Rich thought we put maybe 300 seed spuds in.  I'm not sure it was that many but it was a 50 lb sack to start with.

After we got those in, we planted sweet corn in the next plot.  Since I'm trying companion planting this year, I planted a few green beans and peas along with the corn to see how that works.  I also added the squash, zucchini, watermelon, and cantaloupe  vines to this plot.  Supposedly, the beans/peas will use the corn stocks as a pole/trellis and the vining plants will shade the ground helping with water retention and weed control.  We'll see how this works.  I plan on munching the gardens as soon as things are sprouting.

Rich also set up the sprinklers so we can water these gardens.  We have sandy loom soil so things get dry pretty fast.  These areas will require some watering I'm sure.

While we were working the garden plots, I had some chicken stock cooking on the stove.  I used a few of last year's stewing chickens.  I have the best recipe for chicken stock... so yummy.  I'm going to have to share it with you soon.  I really need to order my pressure cooker/canner so the stock can be canned instead of frozen.

Carol