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
Monday, September 22, 2008
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
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