Monday, October 27, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
LAST SHARE OF 2008 - Delivery #21 - October 17, 2008
Hello friends,
Well, this is it, the last delivery for 2008. You all have been wonderful. Thank you so much for being part of my little farm! I have really enjoyed sharing the harvest with you. Year 2 for the farm has been great for me. It's a ton of work but I love doing it so it doesn't feel like work at all. It has been terrific to have Karen as a working member, scheming and drudging and chattering along side of me. Thanks, Karen!
Next year I plan on selling 2 or 3 more shares plus a few mini-shares. And just as important to me, I will be doing my best to add in some crops that just never got planted this year due to lack of prepared ground and will be working on my replanting schedule so we can have larger and steadier supplies of our favorites.
Right now my focus is on preparing the garden for next year, expanding, planning, prepping some of the beds for early planting, planting garlic and tulips, and thinking and evaluating. Yesterday I bought 2 huge bags of gemination mix potting soil so I can be ready to start my seeds in January and February. Next weekend I hope to put up the hoop house so the extra hardy greens will be protected. Some of the chickens have a date with a butcher in a few weeks and the others need me to work on the chicken house some more. The farm never really shuts down but the chores change with the seasons. I'll be in touch with you in January to see if you are interested in being part of the farm in 2009.
COMING THIS WEEK
beets
chard
mesclun
NZ spinach (One member reported this as being very astringent when eaten raw this time of year. I haven't found any information about that yet. It might be that as it ages, it's better cooked.)
Any other greens I can gather.
Baldwin apple drops and Stayman Winesaps (the winesaps are good keepers and tasty eating apples; you might stick them in your refrigerator or any cold, moist spot)
floral decoration
surprise item
Have a great fall!
Laura
Well, this is it, the last delivery for 2008. You all have been wonderful. Thank you so much for being part of my little farm! I have really enjoyed sharing the harvest with you. Year 2 for the farm has been great for me. It's a ton of work but I love doing it so it doesn't feel like work at all. It has been terrific to have Karen as a working member, scheming and drudging and chattering along side of me. Thanks, Karen!
Next year I plan on selling 2 or 3 more shares plus a few mini-shares. And just as important to me, I will be doing my best to add in some crops that just never got planted this year due to lack of prepared ground and will be working on my replanting schedule so we can have larger and steadier supplies of our favorites.
Right now my focus is on preparing the garden for next year, expanding, planning, prepping some of the beds for early planting, planting garlic and tulips, and thinking and evaluating. Yesterday I bought 2 huge bags of gemination mix potting soil so I can be ready to start my seeds in January and February. Next weekend I hope to put up the hoop house so the extra hardy greens will be protected. Some of the chickens have a date with a butcher in a few weeks and the others need me to work on the chicken house some more. The farm never really shuts down but the chores change with the seasons. I'll be in touch with you in January to see if you are interested in being part of the farm in 2009.
COMING THIS WEEK
beets
chard
mesclun
NZ spinach (One member reported this as being very astringent when eaten raw this time of year. I haven't found any information about that yet. It might be that as it ages, it's better cooked.)
Any other greens I can gather.
Baldwin apple drops and Stayman Winesaps (the winesaps are good keepers and tasty eating apples; you might stick them in your refrigerator or any cold, moist spot)
floral decoration
surprise item
Have a great fall!
Laura
Delivery #20 - October 10, 2008
Hello farm members,
Here we go again. It's so amazing to me how the garden keeps producing. It is getting cold and it's starting to feel like time for me to wind down and prepare for winter so this will be your penultimate delivery. (Wow, I don't think I have ever used that word in my entire life!) I have already started looking at seed catalogs and dreaming and planning for next year.
I have a fair amount of the garden under cover and plan on covering more, just to see how long things can go. Keep your fingers crossed and we may have some more tomatoes and peppers for the last delivery.
THIS WEEK'S DELIVERY
kale
turnip greens? (The chickens got into these a bit.)
Baldwin apple drops
radishes
beets
bok choy
bouquet - Karen and I keep adding more and more wild things lately. Look for Kousa dogwood berries and wild rose hips in this week's bouquet. --As it turned out, I couldn't find any rose hips but found other bright red berries - NOT edible though.
See you Friday,
Laura
Here we go again. It's so amazing to me how the garden keeps producing. It is getting cold and it's starting to feel like time for me to wind down and prepare for winter so this will be your penultimate delivery. (Wow, I don't think I have ever used that word in my entire life!) I have already started looking at seed catalogs and dreaming and planning for next year.
I have a fair amount of the garden under cover and plan on covering more, just to see how long things can go. Keep your fingers crossed and we may have some more tomatoes and peppers for the last delivery.
THIS WEEK'S DELIVERY
kale
turnip greens? (The chickens got into these a bit.)
Baldwin apple drops
radishes
beets
bok choy
bouquet - Karen and I keep adding more and more wild things lately. Look for Kousa dogwood berries and wild rose hips in this week's bouquet. --As it turned out, I couldn't find any rose hips but found other bright red berries - NOT edible though.
See you Friday,
Laura
Delivery #19 - October 3, 2008
Dear farm members,
We made it to October! Yay!
The garden is slowing down and yet there are still things to pick. Every time I pick for the shares I am surprised by how much is there. The Farm Stand is closed, so the garden is now just for you and me. My expectation is that we will have a few more deliveries but they will get smaller each time. I wish I had potatoes and winter squash and many, many roots to share with you. Next year!
Every time I visit the green house I feel the extra warmth in there and it's starting to feel really nice. A friend told me that his greenhouse, of the same type, had 70 degree temperatures on sunny days last February. That reminds me, I need to leave space in there for a chair... It all seems amazing to me but I am prepared to be delighted.
Generally this spot does not get hit by the earliest light frosts so the pole beans may still be producing this week. The greens are slowing down their growth rate but there will be some. The chickens are out of the garage at last. Some will be butchered in a few weeks and the rest are supposed to start laying in December. I will have extra eggs for sale, if you are interested. Raised organically, of course.
Horseradish: The best way I know to keep horseradish (and ginger root) is to wash it and stick it in the freezer. Then when you want some, just grate off the amount you need and put the rest back in the freezer. The horseradish you buy in the store is basically grated root plus vinegar so that's very easy to make. No more moldy horseradish or shriveled ginger! See the recipe blog for an easy recipe for beets using horseradish.
COMING THIS WEEK
mesclun
chard
beans
a few tomatoes
red onions
beets
carrots
horseradish root
bouquet
Laura
We made it to October! Yay!
The garden is slowing down and yet there are still things to pick. Every time I pick for the shares I am surprised by how much is there. The Farm Stand is closed, so the garden is now just for you and me. My expectation is that we will have a few more deliveries but they will get smaller each time. I wish I had potatoes and winter squash and many, many roots to share with you. Next year!
Every time I visit the green house I feel the extra warmth in there and it's starting to feel really nice. A friend told me that his greenhouse, of the same type, had 70 degree temperatures on sunny days last February. That reminds me, I need to leave space in there for a chair... It all seems amazing to me but I am prepared to be delighted.
Generally this spot does not get hit by the earliest light frosts so the pole beans may still be producing this week. The greens are slowing down their growth rate but there will be some. The chickens are out of the garage at last. Some will be butchered in a few weeks and the rest are supposed to start laying in December. I will have extra eggs for sale, if you are interested. Raised organically, of course.
Horseradish: The best way I know to keep horseradish (and ginger root) is to wash it and stick it in the freezer. Then when you want some, just grate off the amount you need and put the rest back in the freezer. The horseradish you buy in the store is basically grated root plus vinegar so that's very easy to make. No more moldy horseradish or shriveled ginger! See the recipe blog for an easy recipe for beets using horseradish.
COMING THIS WEEK
mesclun
chard
beans
a few tomatoes
red onions
beets
carrots
horseradish root
bouquet
Laura
Monday, September 22, 2008
Delivery #18 - September 26, 2008
Hello farm friends,
Gosh it is cold out there in the mornings! Growth is slowing down but the plants look happy. This is the start of my September farm week so I have time to think, prep the garden for next year and make tunnels to cover some of the beds. It will be interesting to see how the vegetables respond to just a little more warmth. I hope to keep the mesclun and leaf lettuce growing for a while yet and there are young beets and rutabagas and daikon radishes out there that I hope will become full grown.
I have also planted 3 beds with extra hardy greens for the winter. (Now to build hoop house over them.) This is a total experiment. The books say I might be picking kale, cress, arugula, and corn salad in January and February. I hope it's true. The greenhouse still has ripening peppers, tomatoes and black eyed peas. We'll see how long they last into the fall. Later I will be planting the very earliest of greens for 2009 in there.
I hope to continue the shares through October but Mother Nature may have something to say about my plans. The shares will be getting smaller each week. The squash and cukes seem to be done now, for instance. But the kale and mesclun are fine and there are still occasional new items like the kolrabi and endive this week. Thank you for being patient as I learn about extending the seasons. Next year at this time there should be winter squash, turnips, eggplant and potatoes and a lot more carrots, beets and tomatoes, at least that is my plan.
COMING THIS WEEK
mesclun
kale
broadleaf endive
beans
a few tomatoes?
Asian onions
kolrabi
BOUQUET
Have a great first week of fall,
Laura
Gosh it is cold out there in the mornings! Growth is slowing down but the plants look happy. This is the start of my September farm week so I have time to think, prep the garden for next year and make tunnels to cover some of the beds. It will be interesting to see how the vegetables respond to just a little more warmth. I hope to keep the mesclun and leaf lettuce growing for a while yet and there are young beets and rutabagas and daikon radishes out there that I hope will become full grown.
I have also planted 3 beds with extra hardy greens for the winter. (Now to build hoop house over them.) This is a total experiment. The books say I might be picking kale, cress, arugula, and corn salad in January and February. I hope it's true. The greenhouse still has ripening peppers, tomatoes and black eyed peas. We'll see how long they last into the fall. Later I will be planting the very earliest of greens for 2009 in there.
I hope to continue the shares through October but Mother Nature may have something to say about my plans. The shares will be getting smaller each week. The squash and cukes seem to be done now, for instance. But the kale and mesclun are fine and there are still occasional new items like the kolrabi and endive this week. Thank you for being patient as I learn about extending the seasons. Next year at this time there should be winter squash, turnips, eggplant and potatoes and a lot more carrots, beets and tomatoes, at least that is my plan.
COMING THIS WEEK
mesclun
kale
broadleaf endive
beans
a few tomatoes?
Asian onions
kolrabi
BOUQUET
Have a great first week of fall,
Laura
Friday, September 19, 2008
Today's Delivery - September 19, 2008
DELIVERY THIS WEEK
Temperature dips into the low 30's, but no frost here! It's probably because Laura covered all tender plants last night. I guess you'll just have to freeze your own veggies. Some things are winding down while others are just getting going. It still seems strange to be planting seeds this late but exciting too. Welcome to the wonderful world of adventure gardening!
The endive this week is best enjoyed braised or sauteed in olive oil with a little onion or garlic. If you are looking for things to do with cucumbers, a quick and easy chilled cucumber soup with yogurt and dill is nice. Apple crisp is another way to use apples, or try drying them for winter use in hot cereal or oatmeal or chop and add to pancakes.
Happy eating!
Karen
Cannellino beans
mesclun
turnip greens
curly endive
Swiss chard
beets
squash
cucumbers
beans
a few tomatoes
red onions
BOUQUET
Temperature dips into the low 30's, but no frost here! It's probably because Laura covered all tender plants last night. I guess you'll just have to freeze your own veggies. Some things are winding down while others are just getting going. It still seems strange to be planting seeds this late but exciting too. Welcome to the wonderful world of adventure gardening!
The endive this week is best enjoyed braised or sauteed in olive oil with a little onion or garlic. If you are looking for things to do with cucumbers, a quick and easy chilled cucumber soup with yogurt and dill is nice. Apple crisp is another way to use apples, or try drying them for winter use in hot cereal or oatmeal or chop and add to pancakes.
Happy eating!
Karen
Cannellino beans
mesclun
turnip greens
curly endive
Swiss chard
beets
squash
cucumbers
beans
a few tomatoes
red onions
BOUQUET
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Delivery #17 - September 19, 2008
GARDEN NEWS
It's definitely fallish out there. I can see orange and yellow on the trees and the pumpkins are turning orange. All the vegetables seem to grow more slowly this time of year. The squash family items are slowing down day by day. Even so, I am still planting! This past weekend I transplanted some kale seedlings (75 feet worth) for some late fall/winter greens. I also fertilized and dug a bed to plant carrots that are supposed to start now and be ready early next spring. I still need to plant the super hardy items for the winter harvest - claytonia, arugula, corn salad, etc. This is all new to me.
This is also a time for thinking and planning. While we pick and prep the shares, Karen talk about our favorite vegetables and flowers and recipes and think about what has grown well, what problems need to be addressed and what items are either missing or in short supply or are SO GOOD we want more! I welcome your ideas on this too, especially now as I work on my plans for next year.
On my "plant more" list:
garlic, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, potatoes, NZ spinach, white turnips, carrots, beets, onions, head lettuce, peaches, raspberries, soybeans, zinnias...(okay I need to stop here.)
What do you want in the shares? What have been your favorites?
COMING THIS WEEK
Cannellino beans
mesclun
turnip greens
endive
Swiss chard
beets
squash? These seem to be slowing down a bit...
cucumbers? ditto
beans
a few tomatoes?
red onions
apple drops for those who would like some - LET ME KNOW if you do.
BOUQUET
Laura
It's definitely fallish out there. I can see orange and yellow on the trees and the pumpkins are turning orange. All the vegetables seem to grow more slowly this time of year. The squash family items are slowing down day by day. Even so, I am still planting! This past weekend I transplanted some kale seedlings (75 feet worth) for some late fall/winter greens. I also fertilized and dug a bed to plant carrots that are supposed to start now and be ready early next spring. I still need to plant the super hardy items for the winter harvest - claytonia, arugula, corn salad, etc. This is all new to me.
This is also a time for thinking and planning. While we pick and prep the shares, Karen talk about our favorite vegetables and flowers and recipes and think about what has grown well, what problems need to be addressed and what items are either missing or in short supply or are SO GOOD we want more! I welcome your ideas on this too, especially now as I work on my plans for next year.
On my "plant more" list:
garlic, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, potatoes, NZ spinach, white turnips, carrots, beets, onions, head lettuce, peaches, raspberries, soybeans, zinnias...(okay I need to stop here.)
What do you want in the shares? What have been your favorites?
COMING THIS WEEK
Cannellino beans
mesclun
turnip greens
endive
Swiss chard
beets
squash? These seem to be slowing down a bit...
cucumbers? ditto
beans
a few tomatoes?
red onions
apple drops for those who would like some - LET ME KNOW if you do.
BOUQUET
Laura
Friday, September 12, 2008
Today's Delivery - September 12, 2008
(All amounts are approximate. Half shares amounts in brackets.)
Cannellino beans - 2 # [1 1/2#]
mesclun - 3/4 #
Red Russian and Dwarf Siberian Kale - 1 bunch
Swiss chard - 1 bunch
New Zealand spinach - 3/4 # [0]
carrots - small bunch
squash - 2-3 squash
cucumbers - 2 #
mixed pole beans - 1 3/4 # [1 #]
cherry tomatoes and Green Grape tomatoes - 1/2 # [1/4#] (and 1 Amish Paste tomato in the full shares)
Asian onions 3 [2]
red onions 4 [2]
Red Astrachan apple drops - 1/3 a grocery bag
BOUQUET
Cannellino beans - 2 # [1 1/2#]
mesclun - 3/4 #
Red Russian and Dwarf Siberian Kale - 1 bunch
Swiss chard - 1 bunch
New Zealand spinach - 3/4 # [0]
carrots - small bunch
squash - 2-3 squash
cucumbers - 2 #
mixed pole beans - 1 3/4 # [1 #]
cherry tomatoes and Green Grape tomatoes - 1/2 # [1/4#] (and 1 Amish Paste tomato in the full shares)
Asian onions 3 [2]
red onions 4 [2]
Red Astrachan apple drops - 1/3 a grocery bag
BOUQUET
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Delivery #16 - September 12, 2008
GARDEN NEWS
Hi gang,
I hope you haven't been feeling overwhelmed by the large size of your shares the past two weeks. Harvest time is a busy time. Whenever I look at the amount of apples on the Baldwin apple I am amazed. And the Red Astrachan has been so generous with its fruit this year. I just froze 13 quarts of applesauce yesterday and there are still apples in the tree! The Baldwin will be ready later and is more of a storage apple so some can go in the basement for later. It is just a bountiful year for tree fruits.
We are at the time of year when each week I look to see if there are any more new items coming in. At some point the harvest will consist only of items we have already been eating but for now there are still new things to look forward to. This week you'll be getting some Cannellini beans, a tasty type of fresh shell bean. You can substitute them for any recipe that calls for dried white beans or dried Cannellini beans. Look to Italian and Greek cooking for ideas.
My pear tree has started making drops so there should be some of them too.
I am still trying to plant a few more things for overwintering and winter. I have some special carrot seeds that are supposed to be good for planting now. Mostly I am fitting the gardening in between the harvesting and putting up of fruit and vegetables and my other work of course. It's a challenge but I love doing it.
COMING THIS WEEK
Cannellino beans
mesclun
kale
Swiss chard
carrots
squash? These seem to be slowing down a bit...
cucumbers
beans
a few cherry tomatoes
Asian onions and red onions
perhaps a few pears
BOUQUET
Laura
http://lastingimpressionscsa.blogspot.com/
Hi gang,
I hope you haven't been feeling overwhelmed by the large size of your shares the past two weeks. Harvest time is a busy time. Whenever I look at the amount of apples on the Baldwin apple I am amazed. And the Red Astrachan has been so generous with its fruit this year. I just froze 13 quarts of applesauce yesterday and there are still apples in the tree! The Baldwin will be ready later and is more of a storage apple so some can go in the basement for later. It is just a bountiful year for tree fruits.
We are at the time of year when each week I look to see if there are any more new items coming in. At some point the harvest will consist only of items we have already been eating but for now there are still new things to look forward to. This week you'll be getting some Cannellini beans, a tasty type of fresh shell bean. You can substitute them for any recipe that calls for dried white beans or dried Cannellini beans. Look to Italian and Greek cooking for ideas.
My pear tree has started making drops so there should be some of them too.
I am still trying to plant a few more things for overwintering and winter. I have some special carrot seeds that are supposed to be good for planting now. Mostly I am fitting the gardening in between the harvesting and putting up of fruit and vegetables and my other work of course. It's a challenge but I love doing it.
COMING THIS WEEK
Cannellino beans
mesclun
kale
Swiss chard
carrots
squash? These seem to be slowing down a bit...
cucumbers
beans
a few cherry tomatoes
Asian onions and red onions
perhaps a few pears
BOUQUET
Laura
http://lastingimpressionscsa.blogspot.com/
Friday, September 5, 2008
Today's Delivery - September 5, 2008
(All quantities are approximate.)
FULL SHARE
soy beans (edemame) - 1 1/2 #
baby corn - 1 dozen
mesclun - 5 oz.
apple drops for sauce or pie - big big bag!
Swiss chard - big bunch
mixed roots - 1 #
carrots, beets, radishes
squash - 6
cucumbers -3 1/2 #
beans - 1 # Green Annellino and 1 1/4 # mixed Blue Lake (round) and Garrafal Oro (flat)
tomatoes - 1/2 pt. cherries and 2 1/2 # heirloom mix (Tappley's Finest - pink, Purple Calabash - ribbed, Green Grape - small and yellow/green, Japanese Trifle - plum, Chocolate Stripe - big, orange and green stripes
red onions - 2
BOUQUET - lots of kinds of Cosmos, zinnias, snapdragons, dahlias and more
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Delivery #15 - September 5, 2008
GARDEN NEWS
No matter what I do there is always plenty more to keep me occupied. I love it but I am already feeling the fall hussle along with the cool mornings and shorter days. Something is turning a corner, or at least approaching a corner. I find myself thinking often of what do I want to do in 2009, how many shares can I grow, where shall I extend the garden, what new perennials do I want to plant (asparagus, quince and black currants for sure!), and generally planning and dreaming. One idea I had yesterday is to offer a "MINI-SHARE". This would be for the folks who just want a little bit of fresh local vegetables in their lives but don't want a full half share. It would be just a couple of items each week, maybe mesclun or lettuce and one other item. I haven't worked out the details yet but if you have friends who are admiring your vegetables but think a share looks too big for them, pass on the word please.
Happily I have changed my work schedule so I no longer have to work 3-4 hours after delivery. Phew. So I will continue to bring your share at some point on Friday, aiming for noon but with leeway for a non stressful morning of picking and preparing with Karen. I hope this works for you all. (I feel like a small part of the 'slow food' movement.)
Speaking of Karen, she's terrific! What a boon to the farm. Thank you so much, Karen!
For a photo of Karen and last week's share see the post from August 29.
COMING THIS WEEK
soy beans (edemame)
baby corn
mesclun
apple drops for sauce or pie
Swiss chard
carrots
beets
squash
cucumbers
beans
radishes?
a few tomatoes
red onions
BOUQUET
Laura
No matter what I do there is always plenty more to keep me occupied. I love it but I am already feeling the fall hussle along with the cool mornings and shorter days. Something is turning a corner, or at least approaching a corner. I find myself thinking often of what do I want to do in 2009, how many shares can I grow, where shall I extend the garden, what new perennials do I want to plant (asparagus, quince and black currants for sure!), and generally planning and dreaming. One idea I had yesterday is to offer a "MINI-SHARE". This would be for the folks who just want a little bit of fresh local vegetables in their lives but don't want a full half share. It would be just a couple of items each week, maybe mesclun or lettuce and one other item. I haven't worked out the details yet but if you have friends who are admiring your vegetables but think a share looks too big for them, pass on the word please.
Happily I have changed my work schedule so I no longer have to work 3-4 hours after delivery. Phew. So I will continue to bring your share at some point on Friday, aiming for noon but with leeway for a non stressful morning of picking and preparing with Karen. I hope this works for you all. (I feel like a small part of the 'slow food' movement.)
Speaking of Karen, she's terrific! What a boon to the farm. Thank you so much, Karen!
For a photo of Karen and last week's share see the post from August 29.
COMING THIS WEEK
soy beans (edemame)
baby corn
mesclun
apple drops for sauce or pie
Swiss chard
carrots
beets
squash
cucumbers
beans
radishes?
a few tomatoes
red onions
BOUQUET
Laura
Friday, August 29, 2008
Today's Delivery - August 29, 2008
THIS WEEK'S SHARE
soy beans (edemame)
baby corn
mesclun - (I am so glad this is back.)
crabapples
Red Astrachan apple drops (great for sauce)
mixed kale - Red Russian, Dwarf Siberian, Winterbor
Rapa turnip greens
carrots
beets
squash
cucumbers and some dill
beans
red onions
BOUQUET!
Now to weed the garden...
Laura
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Delivery #14 - August 29, 2008
GARDEN NEWS
This is my September 'farm week' and the sun is shining so I get to play in the garden a bunch. Today I will be weeding from start to finish and making applesauce in the evening. My hope is to get the fall winter planting and seed/bulb order in hand. And get a start on prepping the ground for 2009. Already kale and spinach is coming up for the winter. This is my first experience planting with the idea of harvesting in January - May. It's a big experiment and I figure I'll just try a lot of things and see how it goes.
I went out to tour the garden and it's cold out there! AND buggy! I don't quite see how both of those could be true but they are. Lots to do though so I bette get crackin'!
If you are unfamiliar with edename, the thing to do is cook the beans in their shells. Then just squeeze the beans onto your plate or straight into your mouth. They are wicked hard to shell when raw but just pop open after cooking. I understand that in some Asian countries they are served in their shells so each person pops opens their own. Sounds sensible to me.
COMING THIS WEEK
soy beans (edename)
baby corn
mesclun - (I am so glad this is back.)
crabapples or apple drops for sauce
Swiss chard
turnip greens
carrots
beets
squash
cucumbers
beans
red onions
BOUQUET!
Now to weed the garden...
Laura
This is my September 'farm week' and the sun is shining so I get to play in the garden a bunch. Today I will be weeding from start to finish and making applesauce in the evening. My hope is to get the fall winter planting and seed/bulb order in hand. And get a start on prepping the ground for 2009. Already kale and spinach is coming up for the winter. This is my first experience planting with the idea of harvesting in January - May. It's a big experiment and I figure I'll just try a lot of things and see how it goes.
I went out to tour the garden and it's cold out there! AND buggy! I don't quite see how both of those could be true but they are. Lots to do though so I bette get crackin'!
If you are unfamiliar with edename, the thing to do is cook the beans in their shells. Then just squeeze the beans onto your plate or straight into your mouth. They are wicked hard to shell when raw but just pop open after cooking. I understand that in some Asian countries they are served in their shells so each person pops opens their own. Sounds sensible to me.
COMING THIS WEEK
soy beans (edename)
baby corn
mesclun - (I am so glad this is back.)
crabapples or apple drops for sauce
Swiss chard
turnip greens
carrots
beets
squash
cucumbers
beans
red onions
BOUQUET!
Now to weed the garden...
Laura
Last week's delivery - August 22, 2008
baby corn
radishes
mesclun
crabapples
Swiss chard
carrots
beets
squash
cucumbers
beans
Asian onions
red onions
BOUQUET!
The delivery seemed extra big. I hope you don't feel overwhelmed by vegetables. Maybe I am just projecting, because my kitchen is so full of produce!
Delivery #13 - August 22, 2008
COMING THIS WEEK/GARDEN NEWS
Everything is producing like mad! It's almost scary to go out to check the squashes and beans and cucumbers. Not a job for the faint hearted but a job that must be done at least every other day. This morning, (Wednesday), I picked alot of items for my own freezer but there is plenty of extra and more coming in for Friday. Feel free to come by here next week on Tuesday or Wednesday next week for more cukes or squash or beans if you find yourself running short or want to freeze some. Give a call first if possible. 773-8325
MORE NEWS
The baby chicks are officially chickens, fully feathered, they know how to roost at night, they know what do to with a giant zucchini and they even know how to escape their pen. They have not learned how to get back inside though. Plans are afoot for building their next enclosure with Rob's help. Also thanks to Robin, we now have a riding lawn mower which helps with the general sense, false or not, of being in control of the vegetation around here. However, every time I walk by the jack o'lantern pumpkins I get a little bit nervous. The vines remind me of that old horror movie, The Blob. They are spreading rapidly and look like they will soon be taking over the planet. Plus I KNOW there are pumpkins lurking in there!
One thing I like to grow is shell beans. I have 7 25 foot rows of shelling beans in the garden plus 1 teepee of Vermont Cranberry shelling beans. I noticed that the white Cannelinni beans (sort of a white kidney bean, for minestrone soup, for example) are forming up, as well as one kind of soy bean for edaname, Black Pearl. This is a new type for me. I fell for the catalog description: "One taste and you'll forever find space in your garden for this beautiful black soybean." Sounds good to me.
This seems to be a banner year for fruit. My trees are loaded. Most of them won't be ripe for awhile yet but I have been picking up drops from one apple that makes great sauce. I think it is a Red Astrachan but don't know for sure. If you would like some drops that are small and less than perfect but really tasty, let me know and I will add some to your share.
COMING THIS WEEK
baby corn
radishes
mesclun - some for sure!
crabapples - There are lots available. Email or call by Thursday evening if you want 3-4 quarts for making sauce or jelly. Otherwise the your share will have 1-2 quarts.
Swiss chard
carrots
beets
squash
cucumbers
beans
Asian onions
red onions
BOUQUET!
RECIPES
I don't have any actual recipes but here are a few tasty tips from Karen and Marie.
Dress cooked beans with mint and basil. (yum)
Roast your summer squashes for a tasty change from steaming or stir-frying.
Eat your vegetables!
Laura
Everything is producing like mad! It's almost scary to go out to check the squashes and beans and cucumbers. Not a job for the faint hearted but a job that must be done at least every other day. This morning, (Wednesday), I picked alot of items for my own freezer but there is plenty of extra and more coming in for Friday. Feel free to come by here next week on Tuesday or Wednesday next week for more cukes or squash or beans if you find yourself running short or want to freeze some. Give a call first if possible. 773-8325
MORE NEWS
The baby chicks are officially chickens, fully feathered, they know how to roost at night, they know what do to with a giant zucchini and they even know how to escape their pen. They have not learned how to get back inside though. Plans are afoot for building their next enclosure with Rob's help. Also thanks to Robin, we now have a riding lawn mower which helps with the general sense, false or not, of being in control of the vegetation around here. However, every time I walk by the jack o'lantern pumpkins I get a little bit nervous. The vines remind me of that old horror movie, The Blob. They are spreading rapidly and look like they will soon be taking over the planet. Plus I KNOW there are pumpkins lurking in there!
One thing I like to grow is shell beans. I have 7 25 foot rows of shelling beans in the garden plus 1 teepee of Vermont Cranberry shelling beans. I noticed that the white Cannelinni beans (sort of a white kidney bean, for minestrone soup, for example) are forming up, as well as one kind of soy bean for edaname, Black Pearl. This is a new type for me. I fell for the catalog description: "One taste and you'll forever find space in your garden for this beautiful black soybean." Sounds good to me.
This seems to be a banner year for fruit. My trees are loaded. Most of them won't be ripe for awhile yet but I have been picking up drops from one apple that makes great sauce. I think it is a Red Astrachan but don't know for sure. If you would like some drops that are small and less than perfect but really tasty, let me know and I will add some to your share.
COMING THIS WEEK
baby corn
radishes
mesclun - some for sure!
crabapples - There are lots available. Email or call by Thursday evening if you want 3-4 quarts for making sauce or jelly. Otherwise the your share will have 1-2 quarts.
Swiss chard
carrots
beets
squash
cucumbers
beans
Asian onions
red onions
BOUQUET!
RECIPES
I don't have any actual recipes but here are a few tasty tips from Karen and Marie.
Dress cooked beans with mint and basil. (yum)
Roast your summer squashes for a tasty change from steaming or stir-frying.
Eat your vegetables!
Laura
Friday, August 15, 2008
Today's Delivery - August 15, 2008
carrots
kale
chard
cukes - some pickling and 1 small slicer
beans - one kind (labeled) plus some Northeaster pole beans
squash
red onions
1 qt. of crabapples
bouquet - includes lots of eustoma, flox, dahlias, zinnias, coreopsis, Queen Anne's Lace, calendula, cosmos, and more!
kale
chard
cukes - some pickling and 1 small slicer
beans - one kind (labeled) plus some Northeaster pole beans
squash
red onions
1 qt. of crabapples
bouquet - includes lots of eustoma, flox, dahlias, zinnias, coreopsis, Queen Anne's Lace, calendula, cosmos, and more!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Delivery #12 - August 15, 2008
Hello farm members,
I feel amazed that we are on to delivery #12. Some how it's been 3 months and the growing, picking and delivery feel like a routine part of my life. I guess when the winter comes I'll have to adjust to not turning the kitchen into a barn every Friday. I am studying and planting as much as I can these days, trying to start plants for the fall and winter greenhouse. I am hoping to have enough vegetables for my little family this winter and to learn about extending the season in both directions for future CSA shares. I like the idea of picking kale and other things throughout the winter and having really early greens for next year. I really like doing this!
COMING THIS WEEK
mesclun
carrots
kale
chard
cukes?
beans
squash
red onions
bouquet
This sure reads like an August list. Soon there will be tomatoes, crabapples and baby corn.
The mesclun continues to not include lettuce in the mixture but there are some tender leaves of arugula, chickweed, purslane and chard to balance the more intensely flavored endive, mustard and whatever else Karen and I can find for the mix. The new mesclun and leaf lettuce beds are up and growing. Also the radicchio, Chinese cabbage, daikon radishes, winter beets (Lutz Green Leaf) and rutabagas (Marian, Laurentian, Gilfeather). That's fun to see.
This Saturday, August 16, from 9-12, there will be a nature walk here in the woods at the farm. See the Leyden Life newsletter for details.
Enjoy the cooler nights, the sound of crickets, the occasional sunshine, and the bounty of late summer,
Laura
I feel amazed that we are on to delivery #12. Some how it's been 3 months and the growing, picking and delivery feel like a routine part of my life. I guess when the winter comes I'll have to adjust to not turning the kitchen into a barn every Friday. I am studying and planting as much as I can these days, trying to start plants for the fall and winter greenhouse. I am hoping to have enough vegetables for my little family this winter and to learn about extending the season in both directions for future CSA shares. I like the idea of picking kale and other things throughout the winter and having really early greens for next year. I really like doing this!
COMING THIS WEEK
mesclun
carrots
kale
chard
cukes?
beans
squash
red onions
bouquet
This sure reads like an August list. Soon there will be tomatoes, crabapples and baby corn.
The mesclun continues to not include lettuce in the mixture but there are some tender leaves of arugula, chickweed, purslane and chard to balance the more intensely flavored endive, mustard and whatever else Karen and I can find for the mix. The new mesclun and leaf lettuce beds are up and growing. Also the radicchio, Chinese cabbage, daikon radishes, winter beets (Lutz Green Leaf) and rutabagas (Marian, Laurentian, Gilfeather). That's fun to see.
This Saturday, August 16, from 9-12, there will be a nature walk here in the woods at the farm. See the Leyden Life newsletter for details.
Enjoy the cooler nights, the sound of crickets, the occasional sunshine, and the bounty of late summer,
Laura
Sunday, August 10, 2008
THIS WEEK'S DELIVERY - August 8, 2008
mesclun
Rapa turnip greens
chard - a mix of Fordhook, Five Color Silverbeet and Perpetual
summer squashes - mostly zucchini
a few radishes
baby carrots
beets - Ace, Chioggia, Touchstone Gold
beans - Slenderette
red onions - Red Burgermaster
Asian onions
New Zealand spinach - cook like spinach
bouquet
I hope you enjoy your fresh vegetables and flowers!
The baby corn is growing fast and the pickling cukes look like they might be ready for next week. Today I saw my first jack o'lantern pumpkin. Hurray for sunshine!
Laura
PS Next Saturday, August 16, there will be a nature hike in the woods here at the farm, led by naturalist John Foster. Come on over for a fun hike through the woods, 9:00 to about 12:00.
The program is supported in part by a grant from the Leyden Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Delivery #11 - August 8, 2008
Hello farm members,
GARDEN NEWS
Well I just got back from walking the dog and visiting the garden. The plants are doing very well, with just a few minor exceptions. We lost some chard leaves to hail but the chickens thought they were tasty. Most of the beans are either producing beans like mad or blooming. The shell bean soybeans are still in bloom and look really happy, except for one variety called Black Coco. I don't know what's up with them but the leaves are small and yellowish. The actual beans look fine though. The new mesclun and leaf lettuce is up and I planted more Chinese cabbage and radicchio yesterday. Isn't amazing how even the names of plants evoke tastiness?
At the back of the garden there is a pumpkin patch that seems to want to take over the planet. The baby corn plants are doing fine, green, lush and healthy. I guess in general we have been really lucky in regard to pests and disease in the garden this year. So far even the deer and woodchucks have done only minor damage. Keep your fingers crossed.
In the weeks to come there will be crab apples, cucumbers and sweet peppers and some tomatoes. Unfortunately, I didn't get as many tomatoes and peppers planted this year as I had planned (and no eggplant) so although there will be some for salads, there will not be enough for putting up for winter. Right now the tomatoes and peppers are full sized and ripening... There may very well be cukes for pickles though, if you are interested in that. At some point there should be some fall brassicas - broccoli, cauliflower, kolrabi and cabbage. An shell beans and soy beans.
Right now my main focus in the garden (besides planting and planting) is to prepare more ground for 2009. I am extending both vegetable gardens and making 3 new spaces. Lots of work but I am really looking forward to having more planting room.
Remember to check the blog for details about what's in your share each week and perhaps, recipes.
Please do send me your favorite vegetable recipes and I will post them at the blog. Thanks!
http://lastingimpressionscsa.blogspot.com/
THIS WEEK'S DELIVERY
mesclun (for sure this week)
Rapa turnip greens
chard
summer squashes - mostly zucchini
baby carrots and/or beets
beans
red onions
bouquet
Laura
GARDEN NEWS
Well I just got back from walking the dog and visiting the garden. The plants are doing very well, with just a few minor exceptions. We lost some chard leaves to hail but the chickens thought they were tasty. Most of the beans are either producing beans like mad or blooming. The shell bean soybeans are still in bloom and look really happy, except for one variety called Black Coco. I don't know what's up with them but the leaves are small and yellowish. The actual beans look fine though. The new mesclun and leaf lettuce is up and I planted more Chinese cabbage and radicchio yesterday. Isn't amazing how even the names of plants evoke tastiness?
At the back of the garden there is a pumpkin patch that seems to want to take over the planet. The baby corn plants are doing fine, green, lush and healthy. I guess in general we have been really lucky in regard to pests and disease in the garden this year. So far even the deer and woodchucks have done only minor damage. Keep your fingers crossed.
In the weeks to come there will be crab apples, cucumbers and sweet peppers and some tomatoes. Unfortunately, I didn't get as many tomatoes and peppers planted this year as I had planned (and no eggplant) so although there will be some for salads, there will not be enough for putting up for winter. Right now the tomatoes and peppers are full sized and ripening... There may very well be cukes for pickles though, if you are interested in that. At some point there should be some fall brassicas - broccoli, cauliflower, kolrabi and cabbage. An shell beans and soy beans.
Right now my main focus in the garden (besides planting and planting) is to prepare more ground for 2009. I am extending both vegetable gardens and making 3 new spaces. Lots of work but I am really looking forward to having more planting room.
Remember to check the blog for details about what's in your share each week and perhaps, recipes.
Please do send me your favorite vegetable recipes and I will post them at the blog. Thanks!
http://lastingimpressionscsa.blogspot.com/
THIS WEEK'S DELIVERY
mesclun (for sure this week)
Rapa turnip greens
chard
summer squashes - mostly zucchini
baby carrots and/or beets
beans
red onions
bouquet
Laura
Friday, August 1, 2008
Today's Delivery - August 1, 2008
chard - a mix of Perpetual, Fordhook Giant, and Five Color Silverbeet
summer squashes - Yellow Crookneck, Rampacante, Magda Cousa, Flying Saucer
mixed kale - Winterbor, Siberian Dwarf, Red Russian
baby carrots
Blue Lake bush beans
Red Burgermaster onions
scallions
1 Watermelon radish
bouquet - a mix of crocosmia, zinnia, cosmos, scabiosa, rubeckia, eustoma, calendula, centaurea, yarrow, dahlia, snapdragons - I think that's all...
Not enough raspberries for the shares this week. There will be more next year.
We are experiencing a gap in the mesclun harvest. There should be some next week.
Some migrant workers from New York City a.k.a. Dan and our friend Courtney
Enjoy!
Monday, July 28, 2008
Extras for the shares!
Farm extras!
Tom Ashley of Dancing Bear Farm has some pickling cukes and squashes to add to your shares, if you wish. Our pickling cukes won't be ready for awhile yet so if this is a good time for you to make pickles, Tom has a bunch ready now. The way this works is you email back with your order, I let Tom know, and he will pick what you want to add to your share. At delivery you can leave money for Tom and I will get it to him.
Picklers - 4/$1.00
Squash - Zucchini, Summer squash (yellow) and Zephyr (yellow with green tip) - $1.50/lb
Please let me know by Thursday morning what you would like from Dancing Bear Farm. If you are not familiar, Dancing Bear is an organic farm on Frizzell HIll Rd in Leyden. www.dancingbearfarm.com/Dancing_Bear_Farm/Welcome.html
Thanks, Tom!
Tom Ashley of Dancing Bear Farm has some pickling cukes and squashes to add to your shares, if you wish. Our pickling cukes won't be ready for awhile yet so if this is a good time for you to make pickles, Tom has a bunch ready now. The way this works is you email back with your order, I let Tom know, and he will pick what you want to add to your share. At delivery you can leave money for Tom and I will get it to him.
Picklers - 4/$1.00
Squash - Zucchini, Summer squash (yellow) and Zephyr (yellow with green tip) - $1.50/lb
Please let me know by Thursday morning what you would like from Dancing Bear Farm. If you are not familiar, Dancing Bear is an organic farm on Frizzell HIll Rd in Leyden. www.dancingbearfarm.com/Dancing_Bear_Farm/Welcome.html
Thanks, Tom!
Delivery #10 - August 1, 2008
Hello farm members,
GARDEN NEWS
Everything is growing and growing, including the weeds, of course. It seems like the only way to beat the weeds is to clear an area and then IMMEDIATELY throw on some mulch. Otherwise the rain comes along and the the next time I look the weeds are already getting big. We are so lucky to have enough water. I am looking forward to some sunshine this week. Maybe I'll even weed the flowers...
The night blooming cereus has not bloomed yet. Keep your fingers crossed. To see a picture of the bud, check the farm blog. The snapdragons are back in bud, the pink lisianthus and crocosmia has started blooming and the dahlias are producing. The cucumbers are running and in bloom. Happily, the slicing cukes (planted first) have come back after being eaten by woodchucks and the woodchucks seem to have moved away. The leaves of the pumpkins are tremendous! The baby chicks are in the garage and seem happy to have more room. They seem more like chickens now too. They tuck their heads back to sleep and sleep at night instead of napping around the clock. They scratch at their greens and love to run around and flap their wings, especially if it includes chasing a chick with something interesting (ie anything) in its mouth.
I really am such a beginner at this farming business. Although I have gardened for years, the whole process of producing food in quantity and continuously is a challenge, especially doing it part time. You all are wonderful to allow me to learn about farming while providing food and flowers for all of us. Thank you for your patience. I wish I had lots of lettuce and mesclun for you but for a little while there will only be small quantities of mesclun, with no lettuce in the mix. If the mesclun is too intense for you with no lettuce, use it for stir fry. Karen and I planted lots of leaf lettuce and mesclun on Saturday but it will take awhile to be big enough to pick. As always, the CSA shares get priority over the farm stand.
I still dream big. Looking at the peaches and baby chicks this morning I was imagining future shares that will include lots of fresh fruit and eggs, and last from early spring to late fall, with an option of items to store or can...
This whole project makes me very happy.
Remember to check the blog for details about what's in your share each week and perhaps, recipes.
Oh yes! Speaking of recipes, please do send me your favorite vegetable recipes and I will post them at the blog. Thanks!
http://lastingimpressionscsa.blogspot.com/
THIS WEEK'S DELIVERY
raspberries (assuming they last)
mesclun (a bit)
chard
summer squashes
mixed greens - kale, collards, turnips
baby carrots?
beans
red onions
scallions
bouquet
Laura
GARDEN NEWS
Everything is growing and growing, including the weeds, of course. It seems like the only way to beat the weeds is to clear an area and then IMMEDIATELY throw on some mulch. Otherwise the rain comes along and the the next time I look the weeds are already getting big. We are so lucky to have enough water. I am looking forward to some sunshine this week. Maybe I'll even weed the flowers...
The night blooming cereus has not bloomed yet. Keep your fingers crossed. To see a picture of the bud, check the farm blog. The snapdragons are back in bud, the pink lisianthus and crocosmia has started blooming and the dahlias are producing. The cucumbers are running and in bloom. Happily, the slicing cukes (planted first) have come back after being eaten by woodchucks and the woodchucks seem to have moved away. The leaves of the pumpkins are tremendous! The baby chicks are in the garage and seem happy to have more room. They seem more like chickens now too. They tuck their heads back to sleep and sleep at night instead of napping around the clock. They scratch at their greens and love to run around and flap their wings, especially if it includes chasing a chick with something interesting (ie anything) in its mouth.
I really am such a beginner at this farming business. Although I have gardened for years, the whole process of producing food in quantity and continuously is a challenge, especially doing it part time. You all are wonderful to allow me to learn about farming while providing food and flowers for all of us. Thank you for your patience. I wish I had lots of lettuce and mesclun for you but for a little while there will only be small quantities of mesclun, with no lettuce in the mix. If the mesclun is too intense for you with no lettuce, use it for stir fry. Karen and I planted lots of leaf lettuce and mesclun on Saturday but it will take awhile to be big enough to pick. As always, the CSA shares get priority over the farm stand.
I still dream big. Looking at the peaches and baby chicks this morning I was imagining future shares that will include lots of fresh fruit and eggs, and last from early spring to late fall, with an option of items to store or can...
This whole project makes me very happy.
Remember to check the blog for details about what's in your share each week and perhaps, recipes.
Oh yes! Speaking of recipes, please do send me your favorite vegetable recipes and I will post them at the blog. Thanks!
http://lastingimpressionscsa.blogspot.com/
THIS WEEK'S DELIVERY
raspberries (assuming they last)
mesclun (a bit)
chard
summer squashes
mixed greens - kale, collards, turnips
baby carrots?
beans
red onions
scallions
bouquet
Laura
Today's Delivery - July 25, 2008
I just realized that I forgot to post anything about last week's delivery! Sorry about that.
Well, in case you didn't figure it out, this is what was in the delivery.
mesclun - includes Lemon Gem Marigold flowers but no lettuce
chard
summer squashes - Magda cousa, Rampacante, Romanesco zucchini or Yellow Crookneck
turnips & their tops
kale
beans - just a taste
Asian onions (use these like giant scallions)
1 red onion
1 Watermelon Radish
dill and cilantro
bouquet
Because of all the rain I was unable to pick raspberries but you are welcome stop by and pick a pint.
Well, in case you didn't figure it out, this is what was in the delivery.
mesclun - includes Lemon Gem Marigold flowers but no lettuce
chard
summer squashes - Magda cousa, Rampacante, Romanesco zucchini or Yellow Crookneck
turnips & their tops
kale
beans - just a taste
Asian onions (use these like giant scallions)
1 red onion
1 Watermelon Radish
dill and cilantro
bouquet
Because of all the rain I was unable to pick raspberries but you are welcome stop by and pick a pint.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Today's Delivery - July 18, 2008
Hi folks,
Karen and I finished picking and prepping your shares. Hurray! There are raspberries and red currants for everybody. Also the first of the summer squashes - Yellow Crookneck, Romanesco Zucchini, Magda Cousa, and Rampacante. The Rampacante (sort of trombone shaped) is new to me so let me know what you think.
I still remember the raspberry patch when it produced 12 quarts a day for weeks at a time. It got pretty darn weedy for a while there but I have been reclaiming it and it's starting to bear fruit. The pints you are getting in your order today are just a taste of what will be coming in future years.
Along with your Rapa turnip greens and Siberian Dwarf Kale, there is also 1 Watermelon radish. Eat the radish as spicy treat and add the tops to your Red Milian turnip tops.
Enjoy the snow peas, they may be the end for this year as the vines don't last in the heat.
Today's bouquets are short and sweet, full of sweet peas, echinacea, bee balm and more. Karen makes beautiful bouquets.
Just a small amount of mesclun today. I will be planting soon. In the meantime, enjoy everything else.
Oh yes, there are 2 inch long beans on the Northeaster pole bean plants...
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Delivery #8 - July 18, 2008
I am amazed to think that this is Delivery #8! The summer seems to be flying by. Deliveries are going so smoothly that they have begun to feel like my normal routine. Karen and I have worked on our system of harvesting and prepping so it's a bit less confusing. For the next month my work schedule is such that Fridays will be less of a hussle so that's nice too. It also means that I may be delivering late morning to noon instead of at least aiming for earlier. Please let me know if that doesn't work for you.
COMING THIS WEEK
mesclun
a mix of kale and turnip greens
summer squash or zucchini - these look really close
red turnips and their tops
red currants?
raspberries?
snow peas?
The delivery feels a bit smaller than usual but then again, if the squashes, currants and raspberries are plentiful it will feel big. Soon there will be carrots, beets and red onions. I must be patient.
bouquet - Yarrow, Sweet Peas, Veronica, Gypsophilia, Rubeckia, Dianthus, Shapdragons, Agrostemma, Lilies, Calendula, Centaurea, Delphineum, Cosmos, Zinnias, Dahlias? ETC!
GARDEN NEWS
This morning the garden is quiet and peaceful. The day is still cool and I can hear green frogs and birds. It feels like the restful sanctuary I need.
I keep poking into the soil to check the carrots and they still look tiny but orange. The pole beans are blooming and the baby squash are so cute. How can the weeds grow so fast and yet I wait and wait for certain things? How can there be so much planted and yet I feel so behind?
Of late I have been concentrating on weeding and pulling out plants that have bolted and the next step will be to plant and plant and plant. It's time for continued plantings of mesclun, lettuce and greens and for the first plantings of some of the fall items. Learning to plant for the fall, winter and spring while making use of the greenhouse is a whole new gardening arena for me. Naturally I have high hopes for harvest through the fall and winter and for extra early vegetables in the spring. I love that having the CSA means learning. I am amazed at how much I want to do and to learn. For instance, next spring I plan on planting black currants, quince, pears, plums, asparagus, strawberries and blueberries, as well as a giant (to me) cutting garden. I seem to have boundless enthusiasm. Thanks for your support and appreciations.
Laura
lastingimpressionscsa.blogspot.com/
COMING THIS WEEK
mesclun
a mix of kale and turnip greens
summer squash or zucchini - these look really close
red turnips and their tops
red currants?
raspberries?
snow peas?
The delivery feels a bit smaller than usual but then again, if the squashes, currants and raspberries are plentiful it will feel big. Soon there will be carrots, beets and red onions. I must be patient.
bouquet - Yarrow, Sweet Peas, Veronica, Gypsophilia, Rubeckia, Dianthus, Shapdragons, Agrostemma, Lilies, Calendula, Centaurea, Delphineum, Cosmos, Zinnias, Dahlias? ETC!
GARDEN NEWS
This morning the garden is quiet and peaceful. The day is still cool and I can hear green frogs and birds. It feels like the restful sanctuary I need.
I keep poking into the soil to check the carrots and they still look tiny but orange. The pole beans are blooming and the baby squash are so cute. How can the weeds grow so fast and yet I wait and wait for certain things? How can there be so much planted and yet I feel so behind?
Of late I have been concentrating on weeding and pulling out plants that have bolted and the next step will be to plant and plant and plant. It's time for continued plantings of mesclun, lettuce and greens and for the first plantings of some of the fall items. Learning to plant for the fall, winter and spring while making use of the greenhouse is a whole new gardening arena for me. Naturally I have high hopes for harvest through the fall and winter and for extra early vegetables in the spring. I love that having the CSA means learning. I am amazed at how much I want to do and to learn. For instance, next spring I plan on planting black currants, quince, pears, plums, asparagus, strawberries and blueberries, as well as a giant (to me) cutting garden. I seem to have boundless enthusiasm. Thanks for your support and appreciations.
Laura
lastingimpressionscsa.blogspot.com/
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Yesterday's Delivery - Friday, July 11, 2008
Yesterday's delivery went well despite my not prepping the kitchen the night before. First step: lots of dishes and cleaning of counter tops. Karen and I decided that doing the vegetables and flowers separately works better. That way we can use the large table for each step. (This once was known as the dining room table. I think Rob and I used to eat there...) Of course we always have kept the two items separate in certain ways, using separate tools, tubs, counters, etc. and washing our hands between flowers and vegetables. We don't want to get flowers mixed up into your vegies - except for the mesclun flowers, of course. Mesclun flowers now include Johnny Jump Ups, Borage, Nasturium, and Shungiku. Later there will be Calendula and maybe more. Mesclun also includes Purslane and Chickweed. These are both tasty and included on purpose. AND I do like adding vegetables to the bouquets, anything that looks pretty or interesting.
mesclun
kale - Red Russian, Dwarf Siberian or Winerbor
baby pak choy
beet thinnings - all edible but the stems and roots are a bit stringy so you might want to just use the leaves.
turnips and their tops - mostly Hakarai with 1 Red Milan in each bunch
snow peas - just a taste
shelling peas - Alderman - the last row to bear this year
herb bouquet - sage, cilantro, rosemary, tarragon
bouquet - Yarrow, Sweet Peas, Gypsophilia (Baby's Breath), Rubeckia, Dianthus (smells really sweet), Shapdragons, Day lilies (my own special mango-colored ones I grew from seed), Calendula, Centaurea, Hosta, Meadowsweet, Cilantro, Garlic scapes, a bit of everything!
mesclun
kale - Red Russian, Dwarf Siberian or Winerbor
baby pak choy
beet thinnings - all edible but the stems and roots are a bit stringy so you might want to just use the leaves.
turnips and their tops - mostly Hakarai with 1 Red Milan in each bunch
snow peas - just a taste
shelling peas - Alderman - the last row to bear this year
herb bouquet - sage, cilantro, rosemary, tarragon
bouquet - Yarrow, Sweet Peas, Gypsophilia (Baby's Breath), Rubeckia, Dianthus (smells really sweet), Shapdragons, Day lilies (my own special mango-colored ones I grew from seed), Calendula, Centaurea, Hosta, Meadowsweet, Cilantro, Garlic scapes, a bit of everything!
Friday, July 11, 2008
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Delivery #7 - July 11, 2008
COMING THIS WEEK
mesclun
kale
baby pak choy
summer squash or zucchini?
turnips?
snow peas
shelling peas?
sage - perhaps a sampling of other herbs
bouquet - Yarrow, Sweet Peas, Veronica, Gypsophilia (Baby's Breath), Rubeckia, Dianthus, Shapdragons, Agrotemma, lilies?, Calendula, Centaurea, etc. The flowers are really coming in strong.
GARDEN NEWS
I am getting a bit tired of rain. Especially when I look around and see how fast the weeds are growing. Luckily I have some time this weekend for the garden and sunshine is predicted so I plan on a weeding marathon.
Truly I am grateful for the rain. It makes everything grow. Yesterday I noticed that the summer squash plants are so big that I can actually bend down under them and look up! And there are little zukes and squashes under there so in a short time we will be eating squash. The currants are starting to turn red and I picked a handful of raspberries. I am hoping there will be enough raspberries to share with you all. Reclaiming the patch is long term project that seems to be bearing fruit...;). It's encouraging to see the progress. The baby corn is about a foot high. The beans plants are bigger every time I look at them. The zinnias look fat and happy. It's a jungle out there!
Late again this week with the CSA prediction; just having too much fun singing.
Laura
lastingimpressionscsa.blogspot.com/
mesclun
kale
baby pak choy
summer squash or zucchini?
turnips?
snow peas
shelling peas?
sage - perhaps a sampling of other herbs
bouquet - Yarrow, Sweet Peas, Veronica, Gypsophilia (Baby's Breath), Rubeckia, Dianthus, Shapdragons, Agrotemma, lilies?, Calendula, Centaurea, etc. The flowers are really coming in strong.
GARDEN NEWS
I am getting a bit tired of rain. Especially when I look around and see how fast the weeds are growing. Luckily I have some time this weekend for the garden and sunshine is predicted so I plan on a weeding marathon.
Truly I am grateful for the rain. It makes everything grow. Yesterday I noticed that the summer squash plants are so big that I can actually bend down under them and look up! And there are little zukes and squashes under there so in a short time we will be eating squash. The currants are starting to turn red and I picked a handful of raspberries. I am hoping there will be enough raspberries to share with you all. Reclaiming the patch is long term project that seems to be bearing fruit...;). It's encouraging to see the progress. The baby corn is about a foot high. The beans plants are bigger every time I look at them. The zinnias look fat and happy. It's a jungle out there!
Late again this week with the CSA prediction; just having too much fun singing.
Laura
lastingimpressionscsa.blogspot.com/
Friday, July 4, 2008
THIS WEEK'S DELIVERY - JULY 4, 2008
YOUR SHARE
3-4 heads of lettuce - Crisp Mint, Reine d'Glaces, Forellenschluss, Four Seasons
snowpeas
shelling peas
tarragon and rosemary
Swiss chard
Turnip greens
Red Milan turnips (You can eat the tops as cooked greens too.)
radishes
bouquet - mostly Sweet Peas with some Dianthus, Shapdragons, and a few Salvia 'Lipstick', Salvia 'May Night', and Bachelor's Buttons
Since there were so many head lettuces that needed picking and they will be gone for awhile after this week, I just gave you lettuce and will bring mesclun next time.
Have a fun holiday!
Delivery #6 - Friday, July 4, 2008
COMING THIS WEEK
(emailed on Wednesday morning)
mesclun - now includes chickweed, purslane, nasturium flowers, borage blossoms and shungiku flowers. Shungiku is an edible chrysanthemum from the folks at Baker Creek. They describe it as "Delicious green leaves are great in salads and stir-fries. The brilliant yellow flowers are also tasty! A beautiful Oriental heirloom, very colorful."
2 heads of lettuce - Crisp Mint, Reine d'Glaces, Forellenschluss, Four Seasons
snowpeas
shelling peas?
tarragon
Swiss chard/Turnip greens/Collards
bouquet - Yarrow, Sweet Peas, Veronica, Gypsophilia (Baby's Breath), Rubeckia, Dianthus, Shapdragons, Lady's Mantle, Centaurea, etc.
GARDEN NEWS
Hot, sunny, and humid today in the garden. It's nice to see the sun for a change. It helps me get a good look at all the weeds! The bee balm has reached shoulder height. I am feeling way behind on my planting but I suppose that makes sense since it's been so rainy lately. Things look good and lush. So far the woodchuck has only damaged the slicing cukes but I believe they will recover.
One exciting bit of farm news is that yesterday I made my first wholesale sale. Greenfields Market bought 5 pounds of mesclun! Late in the day I stopped in the store and got to see it packed up and on the shelf with my name on the label! Thrilling. This might mean that the shares will have less mesclun this Friday. It's an experiment but one worth doing as there is so much mesclun in the garden right now. Also, it's a good week to try it out since the head lettuce is thriving and plentiful so there will be no shortage of salad greens for the shares.
Sorry to be a bit late on this email. I had car trouble on Monday. All better now but I am behind on my week.
See you Friday perhaps.
Happy summer and July 4.
Laura
lastingimpressionscsa.blogspot.com/
(emailed on Wednesday morning)
mesclun - now includes chickweed, purslane, nasturium flowers, borage blossoms and shungiku flowers. Shungiku is an edible chrysanthemum from the folks at Baker Creek. They describe it as "Delicious green leaves are great in salads and stir-fries. The brilliant yellow flowers are also tasty! A beautiful Oriental heirloom, very colorful."
2 heads of lettuce - Crisp Mint, Reine d'Glaces, Forellenschluss, Four Seasons
snowpeas
shelling peas?
tarragon
Swiss chard/Turnip greens/Collards
bouquet - Yarrow, Sweet Peas, Veronica, Gypsophilia (Baby's Breath), Rubeckia, Dianthus, Shapdragons, Lady's Mantle, Centaurea, etc.
GARDEN NEWS
Hot, sunny, and humid today in the garden. It's nice to see the sun for a change. It helps me get a good look at all the weeds! The bee balm has reached shoulder height. I am feeling way behind on my planting but I suppose that makes sense since it's been so rainy lately. Things look good and lush. So far the woodchuck has only damaged the slicing cukes but I believe they will recover.
One exciting bit of farm news is that yesterday I made my first wholesale sale. Greenfields Market bought 5 pounds of mesclun! Late in the day I stopped in the store and got to see it packed up and on the shelf with my name on the label! Thrilling. This might mean that the shares will have less mesclun this Friday. It's an experiment but one worth doing as there is so much mesclun in the garden right now. Also, it's a good week to try it out since the head lettuce is thriving and plentiful so there will be no shortage of salad greens for the shares.
Sorry to be a bit late on this email. I had car trouble on Monday. All better now but I am behind on my week.
See you Friday perhaps.
Happy summer and July 4.
Laura
lastingimpressionscsa.blogspot.com/
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Friday's Delivery - June 27, 2008
THIS WEEK'S DELIVERY
mesclun - Yes, you can eat the nasturium flowers. They taste peppery like the nasturium leaves.
1- 2 heads of lettuce - Crisp Mint - green romaine, Forellenschluss - speckled romaine, Four Seasons - red romaine, Buttercrunch - softer, bibb type
Snap peas - eat the shells on these, raw or cooked. Good for dips and general snacking.
snowpeas - includes some Golden Sweet snowpeas
shelling peas - Early Frosty and Canoe mix
greens: collards/kale mixture
radishes
turnips
Remember, you can eat the tops of both the radishes and turnips. Very tasty and nutritious. Plus there is a blues song about "eatin up them turnip greens".
bouquet - Yarrow, Sweet Peas, Veronica, Rubeckia, Snapdragons, Lady's Mantle, Clary Sage, Artemesia
Monday, June 23, 2008
Delivery #5 - Friday, June 27, 2008
COMING THIS WEEK
mesclun - now includes chickweed, purslane, and soon will have nasturium flowers
1- 2 heads of lettuce - Crisp Mint, Reine d'Glaces, Forellenschluss, Four Seasons
snowpeas
shelling peas?
greens: collards/kale/chard mixture
radishes
turnips
bouquet - Yarrow, Sweet Peas, Veronica, Gypsophilia (Baby's Breath), Rubeckia, Dianthus, Shapdragons, Lady's Mantle - all of these are in bud or bloom
BITS OF BUSINESS
Dang, I forgot the receipts last week. I will include them this time for sure as I am home for a farm week so in a way life is less hectic than normal. I forgot to mention in my email last week that the share price is based on an expected 20 deliveries. If things go really well and we get up to 24 or more deliveries and you feel inclined, you may pay more but I will not ask for more.
Since we have done this for a month now, I want to check in with you all to see how things are going. Is there anything that needs to be different for the delivery to run more smoothly? Are your vegetables and flowers arriving in good condition? How do you like the bags? Are there foods you especially like? Are there foods that you don't want in your delivery? How about quantities? Anything else? Since I am new at farming, there is so much that I want and need to learn. Your feedback is really important to me. Since the farm is so small, it's easy to adapt your share to suit your needs. Thanks again, for being part of my tiny fledging farm.
I been having some technical difficulties at the blog so haven't been able to post recently. In general though, you can see what is actually in your delivery and sometimes find some recipe ideas at: lastingimpressionscsa.blogspot.com/ I try to post by Saturday.
GARDEN NEWS
Each Monday before I write this email, I like to wander about the garden taking note of what looks ready or nearly ready or gone by and noting the progress of various plants. Equally important, I like to soak in the general atmosphere of the farm. Today things are very moist and weedy. There is a certain sense of burgeoning lushness that could develop into being wildly out of control but I hope to steer towards an abundance of good eating and fine bouquets. The shell peas are loaded with young pods that are starting to fill out. The Red Milan turnips are finally forming and the white Hakurei turnips look just right for picking on Friday. The head lettuces are lovely and enjoying the cool moist weather. Happily, the carrots are thinned, so I hope they will swell up soon. Inside the greenhouse it's a whole different world, sort of hot and humid and dry. I've got tomatoes, sweet peppers, black eyed peas, basil and okra in there.
Of course the weeds are loving all the rain too and there are woodchucks nearby. Mostly the woodchucks are eating grass and I keep putting up barriers and deterrents around OUR plants. Keep your fingers crossed. I will be dog sitting for a month starting mid July and that may send them on their way, I hope.
Some of the Red Russian Kale from last year came through the winter and is now in full bloom. I plan to harvest and store the seeds. I also noticed that the Seckel pear tree seems to have a good crop this year so if the CSA is going into October, there should be pears for all. Perhaps eggs too as I am expecting a delivery of chicks in a couple of weeks. Busy, fun times here. I am grateful.
Laura
mesclun - now includes chickweed, purslane, and soon will have nasturium flowers
1- 2 heads of lettuce - Crisp Mint, Reine d'Glaces, Forellenschluss, Four Seasons
snowpeas
shelling peas?
greens: collards/kale/chard mixture
radishes
turnips
bouquet - Yarrow, Sweet Peas, Veronica, Gypsophilia (Baby's Breath), Rubeckia, Dianthus, Shapdragons, Lady's Mantle - all of these are in bud or bloom
BITS OF BUSINESS
Dang, I forgot the receipts last week. I will include them this time for sure as I am home for a farm week so in a way life is less hectic than normal. I forgot to mention in my email last week that the share price is based on an expected 20 deliveries. If things go really well and we get up to 24 or more deliveries and you feel inclined, you may pay more but I will not ask for more.
Since we have done this for a month now, I want to check in with you all to see how things are going. Is there anything that needs to be different for the delivery to run more smoothly? Are your vegetables and flowers arriving in good condition? How do you like the bags? Are there foods you especially like? Are there foods that you don't want in your delivery? How about quantities? Anything else? Since I am new at farming, there is so much that I want and need to learn. Your feedback is really important to me. Since the farm is so small, it's easy to adapt your share to suit your needs. Thanks again, for being part of my tiny fledging farm.
I been having some technical difficulties at the blog so haven't been able to post recently. In general though, you can see what is actually in your delivery and sometimes find some recipe ideas at: lastingimpressionscsa.blogspot.com/ I try to post by Saturday.
GARDEN NEWS
Each Monday before I write this email, I like to wander about the garden taking note of what looks ready or nearly ready or gone by and noting the progress of various plants. Equally important, I like to soak in the general atmosphere of the farm. Today things are very moist and weedy. There is a certain sense of burgeoning lushness that could develop into being wildly out of control but I hope to steer towards an abundance of good eating and fine bouquets. The shell peas are loaded with young pods that are starting to fill out. The Red Milan turnips are finally forming and the white Hakurei turnips look just right for picking on Friday. The head lettuces are lovely and enjoying the cool moist weather. Happily, the carrots are thinned, so I hope they will swell up soon. Inside the greenhouse it's a whole different world, sort of hot and humid and dry. I've got tomatoes, sweet peppers, black eyed peas, basil and okra in there.
Of course the weeds are loving all the rain too and there are woodchucks nearby. Mostly the woodchucks are eating grass and I keep putting up barriers and deterrents around OUR plants. Keep your fingers crossed. I will be dog sitting for a month starting mid July and that may send them on their way, I hope.
Some of the Red Russian Kale from last year came through the winter and is now in full bloom. I plan to harvest and store the seeds. I also noticed that the Seckel pear tree seems to have a good crop this year so if the CSA is going into October, there should be pears for all. Perhaps eggs too as I am expecting a delivery of chicks in a couple of weeks. Busy, fun times here. I am grateful.
Laura
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Delivery #4 - Friday, June 20, 2008
COMING THIS WEEK
Mesclun
Head lettuce - 1 -2 heads
A handful of snow peas?
Mixed greens, mostly kale, collards and Zen
Radishes
Peppermint - I'll try to pick enough to dry for winter tea
Tarragon
Turnips??
Bouquet - Veronica, Daisies, Lady's Mantle, Snapdragons?, Yarrow?, Peonies?, Mock Orange, Rubeckia
Remember to check the blog for a description of what gets delivered each week. I try to post by Saturday. And call me if you have any questions.
lastingimpressionscsa.blogspot.com/
There is a chance that there will be spinach at the stand this week from Peter Tusinski's farm on River Rd.
BAGS/FOOD STORAGE
Based on some cloth bags I saw in a mail order catalog, Karen has made us some lovely bags to store our mesclun. Wash your mesclun and put it in the bag while still damp. The leaves keep fresh in the frig. Karen will be making more bags as time allows so that you will able to return empty bags to us so we can use them for future deliveries.
I am determined that eventually we will have a system that does not require plastic bags.
MONEY
Several people have asked me about the cost of the shares and when they ought to pay.
Each share costs $400 to $550 on a sliding scale.
Half shares are $225 - $300 on a sliding scale.
You decide where you belong on that scale.
All members made a minimum deposit of $100 by April 1.
The balance is due by August 1.
However, if you prefer to pay sooner than August 1, that is perfectly fine, in fact it is helpful to me as most of my farm expenses are in the first half of the year. If you would like to pay in installments, that is fine too. I will be sure to include a receipt in your delivery this week and I apologize for not giving you a receipt sooner.
GARDEN NEWS
It feels like there is a lot of news this week. The greenhouse is up, covered and planted. (Thank you Robin!) I am pretending it's Georgia in there and have planted some blackeyed peas, okra, hot and sweet peppers and tomatoes under cover. The Farm Stand opened for the first time this year on Saturday and despite my very low key marketing, there were enough visitors to buy everything that I had picked. I have also received some really encouraging messages from friends far and near in response to my announcement about the stand.
The peas are all in bloom, the snow peas have little pods, the Rat's Tail radish is blooming, the baby corn is up, the mock orange is blooming which always such a sweet smelling treat, suddenly the zinnia plants look BIG, and the baby peaches are as large as pecans.
Of course the weeds are also off and running but fortunately both Karen and I find weeding rather soothing. Plus we can chat across the garden bed. I am working on digging up a new area next to the garage and increasing the flower garden space. Karen is beating back the old weedy patch of the garden so we can set out more lettuce and plant more greens. Saturday is the beginning of my 3rd Farm Week so even though there is a ton to do I feel fairly relaxed about it all.
Happy Solstice!
Laura
Mesclun
Head lettuce - 1 -2 heads
A handful of snow peas?
Mixed greens, mostly kale, collards and Zen
Radishes
Peppermint - I'll try to pick enough to dry for winter tea
Tarragon
Turnips??
Bouquet - Veronica, Daisies, Lady's Mantle, Snapdragons?, Yarrow?, Peonies?, Mock Orange, Rubeckia
Remember to check the blog for a description of what gets delivered each week. I try to post by Saturday. And call me if you have any questions.
lastingimpressionscsa.blogspot.com/
There is a chance that there will be spinach at the stand this week from Peter Tusinski's farm on River Rd.
BAGS/FOOD STORAGE
Based on some cloth bags I saw in a mail order catalog, Karen has made us some lovely bags to store our mesclun. Wash your mesclun and put it in the bag while still damp. The leaves keep fresh in the frig. Karen will be making more bags as time allows so that you will able to return empty bags to us so we can use them for future deliveries.
I am determined that eventually we will have a system that does not require plastic bags.
MONEY
Several people have asked me about the cost of the shares and when they ought to pay.
Each share costs $400 to $550 on a sliding scale.
Half shares are $225 - $300 on a sliding scale.
You decide where you belong on that scale.
All members made a minimum deposit of $100 by April 1.
The balance is due by August 1.
However, if you prefer to pay sooner than August 1, that is perfectly fine, in fact it is helpful to me as most of my farm expenses are in the first half of the year. If you would like to pay in installments, that is fine too. I will be sure to include a receipt in your delivery this week and I apologize for not giving you a receipt sooner.
GARDEN NEWS
It feels like there is a lot of news this week. The greenhouse is up, covered and planted. (Thank you Robin!) I am pretending it's Georgia in there and have planted some blackeyed peas, okra, hot and sweet peppers and tomatoes under cover. The Farm Stand opened for the first time this year on Saturday and despite my very low key marketing, there were enough visitors to buy everything that I had picked. I have also received some really encouraging messages from friends far and near in response to my announcement about the stand.
The peas are all in bloom, the snow peas have little pods, the Rat's Tail radish is blooming, the baby corn is up, the mock orange is blooming which always such a sweet smelling treat, suddenly the zinnia plants look BIG, and the baby peaches are as large as pecans.
Of course the weeds are also off and running but fortunately both Karen and I find weeding rather soothing. Plus we can chat across the garden bed. I am working on digging up a new area next to the garage and increasing the flower garden space. Karen is beating back the old weedy patch of the garden so we can set out more lettuce and plant more greens. Saturday is the beginning of my 3rd Farm Week so even though there is a ton to do I feel fairly relaxed about it all.
Happy Solstice!
Laura
Friday, June 13, 2008
Today's Delivery
The harvest: 3 containers of mesclun, head lettuce, escarole, radishes
Delivery - Friday, June 13, 2008
Radishes
Mesclun
Garlic chives
Head lettuce - Forellenshuss (speckled romaine) or Webb's Wonderful (green romaine) or Buttercrunch (bibb)
Escarole
Spearmint
Apple Mint
Cilantro and marjoram
Bouquet
Each order also included a cloth bag made by Karen. These can be used to store your washed mesclun in the refrigerator. We plant on making more bags so you will always have one available. Still working on good ways to avoid using plastic. Let us know what you think of the bags.
Violet Jelly - I noticed that the violet jelly goes moldy fairly quickly after it is opened so when you open yours, keep it in the frig and eat it up promptly. It goes well with meat, like basil or mint jelly.
Today's bouquet: Iris - blue, white, yellow, tan, etc., Deronicum - like a yellow daisy, Peonies - light and dark pink and white, Lady's Mantle - lime green, Kousa dogwood - 4 whitish green petals, Dictamus (tall purple and white streaks), Hosta leaves - white and green
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Yesterday's Delivery - Friday, June 6, 2008
Delivery was smoother and faster the second time. We picked some of the flowers on Thursday evening and that helped and it was exciting to pick five whole pounds of mesclun! It was raining off and on while we picked so the leaves were spattered with soil. We felt like 'real farmers' as we picked despite the rain.
I field washed the mesclun, mustard greens and radishes but...you need to wash the vegetables yourself.
Delivery #2
THIS WEEK'S DELIVERY
Radishes - small, a taste of things to come.
Mesclun
Mixed greens - a small taste of Red Russian Kale, Winterbor Kale, Siberian Dwarf Kale.
Green Wave Mustard volunteers. (I know that some folks do not like spicy greens. Be unafraid. These young mustard greens are spicy when raw but when cooked they are very mild.)
Wild peppermint
Apple Mint
Rhubarb - full share members only
Bouquets - Each bouquet is a mixture of some of the following blooms:
Iris (mostly purples), Dianthus (pinks), Deronicum (yellow, daisy-like), Garden Peonies (coral with yellow center), Lady's Mantle leaves (big, round and fuzzy), Dame's Rocket (white), Amsonia (pale blue), Valerian (green buds), Ragged Robin (rose pink)
Monday, June 2, 2008
Delivery #2 - Friday, June 6, 2008
Hello folks,
Well the first delivery went smoothly and was a bunch of fun to do. It was amazing to me how different making up 5 orders was compared to 2 last year and also it was so helpful to have Karen helping me and contributing some flowers.
One thing I want to mention is that I try to deliver the vegetables in a relatively clean looking state but they are not ready for the table. You need to wash the vegetables yourself.
COMING THIS WEEK
Radishes
Mesclun
Mixed greens - a small taste of various greens, Red Russian Kale, Green Wave Mustard (not too spicy at this stage), Zen. These may or may not be ready.
Wild peppermint - great in tabouli or for drying for the winter.
Apple Mint - I like to put this and some sliced lemons into a large amount of water for a simple, non-sweet refreshing drink.
Rhubarb - maybe
Bouquets - Iris, Dianthus, Centaurea, Daisies, Deronicum?, Garden Peonies?, Chive flowers, Lady's Mantle leaves, Yarrow? Whatever looks good on the day.
GARDEN NEWS
Everything is growing very quickly of late. The other day I toured the garden in the morning and later the same day beans, greens, cukes and squash had all popped up where there had been bare ground in the morning. It made me think of Jack and the Beanstalk. The first head lettuces are forming heads and look lovely. Rob is making progress on the greenhouse set up and I started planting in that space already. Very satisfying. We have a resident woodchuck who loves to eat Bishops Weed, for which I am grateful, and also likes Hollyhocks, which is not so good.
Karen and I are creeping up on finishing the main planting. Still have winter squash, shell beans, potatoes, storage roots and pickling cukes to go. Plus I bought just a few more flowers recently...
Generally it is busy, hard work and fun. I am sleeping very soundly.
Laura
Well the first delivery went smoothly and was a bunch of fun to do. It was amazing to me how different making up 5 orders was compared to 2 last year and also it was so helpful to have Karen helping me and contributing some flowers.
One thing I want to mention is that I try to deliver the vegetables in a relatively clean looking state but they are not ready for the table. You need to wash the vegetables yourself.
COMING THIS WEEK
Radishes
Mesclun
Mixed greens - a small taste of various greens, Red Russian Kale, Green Wave Mustard (not too spicy at this stage), Zen. These may or may not be ready.
Wild peppermint - great in tabouli or for drying for the winter.
Apple Mint - I like to put this and some sliced lemons into a large amount of water for a simple, non-sweet refreshing drink.
Rhubarb - maybe
Bouquets - Iris, Dianthus, Centaurea, Daisies, Deronicum?, Garden Peonies?, Chive flowers, Lady's Mantle leaves, Yarrow? Whatever looks good on the day.
GARDEN NEWS
Everything is growing very quickly of late. The other day I toured the garden in the morning and later the same day beans, greens, cukes and squash had all popped up where there had been bare ground in the morning. It made me think of Jack and the Beanstalk. The first head lettuces are forming heads and look lovely. Rob is making progress on the greenhouse set up and I started planting in that space already. Very satisfying. We have a resident woodchuck who loves to eat Bishops Weed, for which I am grateful, and also likes Hollyhocks, which is not so good.
Karen and I are creeping up on finishing the main planting. Still have winter squash, shell beans, potatoes, storage roots and pickling cukes to go. Plus I bought just a few more flowers recently...
Generally it is busy, hard work and fun. I am sleeping very soundly.
Laura
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Yesterday's Delivery - Friday, May 30, 2008
Delivery # 1
THIS WEEK'S ACTUAL DELIVERY
Mesclun
Rhubarb
Garlic chives
Apple mint
Catnip for your kitties (square stem, jagged edged leaves)
(catnip also makes a nice tea for humans; use fresh or dried)
An herbal mix: sorrel, chives, and small tastes of dill, cilantro, rosemary, scented sage
Violet Jelly
Bouquet with Lilacs-white and pale yellow, Deronicum-yellow daisy-like, Tree Peonies-pale pink, Solomon's Seal-long spray with small dangling white and green bells, Sweet Cicely-ferny foliage and white flowers, smells like anise, Iris-deep purple, Centaurea-purply/blue, Flox leaves-green and plum
Current mesclun mixture: Green Wave Mustard, Tyee Spinach, Arugula, Rapa Turnip greens, Osaka Purple Mustard, Zen, (I am not sure what this is but I like it.) Mizuna, Purple Mizuna, Big Stem Mustard, Heading Mustard, Wrinkled Crinkled Cress, White Russian Kale, Red Russian Kale, Borage leaves, Ruby Streaks Mustard, Golden Frilled Mustard, Nasturium leaves, Johnny Jump Up flowers, and leaf lettuces. Leaf lettuce varieties: Tango, Green Deer Tongue, Galactic, Cracoviensis, Red Sails, Mascara, Australian Yellowleaf, New Red Fire, Royal Oakleaf, Lollo di Vino, Black Seeded Simpson, Blush Butter Oaks
Monday, May 26, 2008
Delivery #1 - Friday, May 30, 2008!
Hurray! It's time to start sharing the garden produce with all of you! Thank you for being part of my little farm.
GARDEN NEWS
I am very happy to report that the various vegetables and flowers have grown so much that now we can all start enjoying them. Robin and I have eaten some lovely mesclun a few times, made with tiny, flavor-packed leaves. Now it's your turn.
Karen and I have been working hard to get things planted. It seems like the the task list goes on and on but we are doing it bit by bit. There are lots of greens, lettuce, carrots, beets, mesclun, pole beans, squash, onions, beets, radishes, cucumbers, peas, zinnias, calendula and sweet peas already up and growing and there are more things being planted every day. I love the way the tiny plants look so distinctly like 'themselves'.
Rob has been helping too. Just today he set up the frame for the greenhouse, a very impressive and exciting sight. Today is the start of my second Farm Week. It's terrific to have help and time to do this.
Please do feel free to stop by and visit. I am here most Saturdays gardening. In the upcoming weeks the only Saturdays I won't be here are June 7 and July 5. And if you get the urge to dig or weed or generally do a a bit of gardening, stop by any Saturday and I'll point you at a project. There's plenty of 'work' to share too. (Jobs are of various levels of needed energy and skill to match your interest.) To be sure I will be here, call ahead. I won't be tending the stand when it is open, just picking for it and letting the customers serve themselves.
DELIVERY
I will be bringing your share in the morning, most likely between 8:30 and 10:00 on Fridays. Your part will be to either be home, or leave a cooler for the food in a shady, protected spot near your house. I will bring flowers in a glass jar. It's best if the cooler has some of those cooler things inside, especially as the weather warms up. Since this is the first time, if I haven't heard from you by Wednesday, I will give you a call Wednesday or Thursday to make sure I know where you want your delivery and go over any questions or details. One thing that I continue to puzzle over are containers for the food. I would love to avoid using plastic bags if I can figure out a better plan. I am investigating biodegradable cellophane as an option. Another idea I had was to make cloth bags to hold the lettuces and greens. I also thought that it might work to use food storage containers of some sort. I could put the vegetables in the containers and then into your cooler and you could leave clean containers for me for the next week. If you come up with ideas about this or just find that you have some reusable containers you would like me to use, let me know, or just label the containers and put them in your cooler.
COMING THIS WEEK
Mesclun
Rhubarb
Garlic chives
Apple mint
Wild Peppermint
An herbal mix: sorrel, chives, dill, cilantro
Surprise spring treat from my kitchen.
Bouquet with lilacs, Jacob's ladder, Dianthus, Deronicum and more, whatever is open; new flowers are opening every day.
Do you have cats? I have some nice catnip to share if you would like some.
Current mesclun mixture: Green Wave Mustard, Tyee Spinach, Arugula, Rapa Turnip greens, Osaka Purple Mustard, Zen, (I am not sure what this is but I like it.) Mizuna, Purple Mizuna, Big Stem Mustard, Heading Mustard, Wrinkled Crinkled Cress, White Russian Kale, Red Russian Kale, Borage leaves, Ruby Streaks Mustard, Golden Frilled Mustard, Nasturium leaves, Johnny Jump Up flowers, and leaf lettuces. Leaf lettuce varieties: Tango, Green Deer Tongue, Galactic, Cracoviensis, Red Sails, Mascara, Australian Yellowleaf, New Red Fire, Royal Oakleaf, Lollo di Vino, Black Seeded Simpson, Blush Butter Oaks
Okay, this got pretty long. Usually it will be a shorter message but to get us started there are some extra details to consider. I am totally loving being a farmer; it feels so right. Thank you for helping me do this work.
Laura
GARDEN NEWS
I am very happy to report that the various vegetables and flowers have grown so much that now we can all start enjoying them. Robin and I have eaten some lovely mesclun a few times, made with tiny, flavor-packed leaves. Now it's your turn.
Karen and I have been working hard to get things planted. It seems like the the task list goes on and on but we are doing it bit by bit. There are lots of greens, lettuce, carrots, beets, mesclun, pole beans, squash, onions, beets, radishes, cucumbers, peas, zinnias, calendula and sweet peas already up and growing and there are more things being planted every day. I love the way the tiny plants look so distinctly like 'themselves'.
Rob has been helping too. Just today he set up the frame for the greenhouse, a very impressive and exciting sight. Today is the start of my second Farm Week. It's terrific to have help and time to do this.
Please do feel free to stop by and visit. I am here most Saturdays gardening. In the upcoming weeks the only Saturdays I won't be here are June 7 and July 5. And if you get the urge to dig or weed or generally do a a bit of gardening, stop by any Saturday and I'll point you at a project. There's plenty of 'work' to share too. (Jobs are of various levels of needed energy and skill to match your interest.) To be sure I will be here, call ahead. I won't be tending the stand when it is open, just picking for it and letting the customers serve themselves.
DELIVERY
I will be bringing your share in the morning, most likely between 8:30 and 10:00 on Fridays. Your part will be to either be home, or leave a cooler for the food in a shady, protected spot near your house. I will bring flowers in a glass jar. It's best if the cooler has some of those cooler things inside, especially as the weather warms up. Since this is the first time, if I haven't heard from you by Wednesday, I will give you a call Wednesday or Thursday to make sure I know where you want your delivery and go over any questions or details. One thing that I continue to puzzle over are containers for the food. I would love to avoid using plastic bags if I can figure out a better plan. I am investigating biodegradable cellophane as an option. Another idea I had was to make cloth bags to hold the lettuces and greens. I also thought that it might work to use food storage containers of some sort. I could put the vegetables in the containers and then into your cooler and you could leave clean containers for me for the next week. If you come up with ideas about this or just find that you have some reusable containers you would like me to use, let me know, or just label the containers and put them in your cooler.
COMING THIS WEEK
Mesclun
Rhubarb
Garlic chives
Apple mint
Wild Peppermint
An herbal mix: sorrel, chives, dill, cilantro
Surprise spring treat from my kitchen.
Bouquet with lilacs, Jacob's ladder, Dianthus, Deronicum and more, whatever is open; new flowers are opening every day.
Do you have cats? I have some nice catnip to share if you would like some.
Current mesclun mixture: Green Wave Mustard, Tyee Spinach, Arugula, Rapa Turnip greens, Osaka Purple Mustard, Zen, (I am not sure what this is but I like it.) Mizuna, Purple Mizuna, Big Stem Mustard, Heading Mustard, Wrinkled Crinkled Cress, White Russian Kale, Red Russian Kale, Borage leaves, Ruby Streaks Mustard, Golden Frilled Mustard, Nasturium leaves, Johnny Jump Up flowers, and leaf lettuces. Leaf lettuce varieties: Tango, Green Deer Tongue, Galactic, Cracoviensis, Red Sails, Mascara, Australian Yellowleaf, New Red Fire, Royal Oakleaf, Lollo di Vino, Black Seeded Simpson, Blush Butter Oaks
Okay, this got pretty long. Usually it will be a shorter message but to get us started there are some extra details to consider. I am totally loving being a farmer; it feels so right. Thank you for helping me do this work.
Laura
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