TODAY'S FARM SHARE # 2 - May 29, 2009

The picking went fine; Heather and I were actually done by 11 so we were able to relax and plan and clean up the kitchen for awhile before delivery. I have to relish this when it happens as I suspect that once we add in the mini-shares it will take the whole morning to pick.

There was plenty in the garden. Once again we stopped picking before picking absolutely everything. This gives me confidence. The Mini Shares will definitely start on Friday, June 5 with the first delivery and the following Monday, June 8 will be the first pick up day for Mini Shares. I'll be in touch with more details.

I've had 4 pleasant surprises this week. 1 - My friend Linda stopped by because she just "felt like doing a gardening, did I want any help?" I put her straight to work digging! 2 - Farm Member Ann McCarthy gave me some beautiful, sturdy echinacea plants. 3 - My friend Paul sent me some very intriguing heirloom beans, peas and squash seeds. 4 - I came home yesterday and Robin had worked on the chicken set up so that I can now run the hens in a fresh area and can use their old run for planting. Thank you, pals!



THIS WEEK'S FULL SHARE

mesclun 3/4 #
rhubarb 1 3/4 #
radishes 9 oz.
baby greens - spinach, White Russian kale or turnip greens
garlic chives
small head of lettuce - 2 each - Crystal, Yugoslavian Red Butterhead, Susan's Bibb, Buttercrunch
arugula 11 oz.
bouquet - Lady's Rocket, iris, centaurea, salvia 'May Night', tree peonies
Cilantro or dill - a small bunch

Unfortunately, we had to pick the flowers while they were wet so they may not last as well as usual. Nice to get some rain though.

I'll write again on Monday with more information about pickup and next week's share.
Enjoy the fresh food. Be sure to check the recipe blog for cooking ideas.
Laura

Farm Share # 2 - May 29, 2009

Greetings farm members,

FARM NEWS
The season is progressing nicely. Through hard work and the luck of the weather, Heather and I are pretty much on track with the planting. The summer and winter squash is planted, the pickling cukes and Asian cukes are in, the early tomatoes are set out, we made three new beds for midseason greens, and the baby corn is planted. The pole beans are coming up already and the bush beans - green, shell and soybean - are soaking overnight to be planted tomorrow. Yesterday I set out about 90 Sweet William plants and some Batchelor's Buttons and Cosmos. Sunflowers, zinnias and marigolds are waiting for their turn.

This week we will be picking both Full and Half Shares. If all goes as hoped, the Mini Shares will start in another week. I'm excited!

THIS WEEK'S SHARE

mesclun
rhubarb
radishes
baby greens - spinach, kale or turnip greens
garlic chives
small head of lettuce?
arugula?
bouquet - Lady's Rocket, iris, centaurea, salvia, whatever is ready


Have a great week,
Laura

We did it! Today's Delivery - May 22, 2009

We did it! Heather and I picked and prepped the first shares today. Everything went smoothly and it was nice to get started with a smaller picking, just to get warmed up. From the amount we picked and the amount that was left in the garden for another day, I feel confident that we can start the Half Shares next Friday. I'll be in touch with the Half Share folks to clarify your schedules.

Today's delivery includes:
1 bunch of garlic chives
some apple mint and some cilantro
1 bunch of radishes
1 1/2 # Jerusalem Artichokes
a small bunch of young greens, either kale or turnip
9 oz. spinach
13 oz mesclun
1 1/2 # rhubarb
Bouquet: Solomon's Seal-Primrose Lilac-Tree Peony-Centaurea-Lady's Rocket-(Parrot tulips)




Enjoy your fresh food and flowers!
Check the recipe blog for cooking ideas.
See you soon,
Laura

Delivery #1 - Friday, May 22, 2009

*Note: This week's delivery is for Full Shares only. Half Shares and Mini Shares will start later.

Hello folks,

That time has arrived. There is so much food ready in the garden that it's time to start sharing it with you.
So that means that this Friday, May 22, Heather and I will be picking and prepping vegetables and flowers to bring to your home. All you need to do is either be there to receive your share or set out a cooler at a spot for us to deliver easily.

For those of you who are new to this, a quick reminder. I will send out an email each week (on Monday or Tuesday) with my best guess as to what will be in your share that Friday. Then after we pick, I will email again to let you know what is actually in the share. It isn't possible to be 100% sure of the share as weather affects how quickly everything matures and holds in the field. Almost everything is picked Friday morning so it is really fresh. Using a cooler with a cold pak works very well but of course, the sooner you get your food into the refrigerator, the better. Our plan is to pick Friday morning and deliver early Friday afternoon. It's helpful if you can leave cleaned containers, such as jars for flowers, at your delivery spot so we can use them another day.

Be sure to check the blog for delicious recipe ideas. And if you have recipes you want to share, send them along.
http://lasting-impressions-on-the-farm.blogspot.com/

THIS WEEK'S DELIVERY

garlic chives
mixed salad greens/mesclun
baby greens - some mix of kale, spinach, or turnip greens
radishes
sorrel
Jerusalem artichokes
rhubarb?
nettles?

bouquet

That's all for now. Oh, except please write back so I know you got this message. Otherwise I will call you.
Your farmer,
Laura

Full Shares about to start

GREENS IN THE GREENHOUSE



Full Shares are starting!

Hello farming friends,

It has long time since I have been in touch with you all. The reason is I have been busy digging, planting, weeding, planning and generally having a blast in the garden growing things for all of us.

Farm intern, Heather Loomis, and I have been working hard to get everything planted in a timely fashion. So far we have been able to keep up with our planting schedule and the garden is looking good. I am looking forward to some more warm weather to help the plants grow. In recent weeks we have created a 400 sq. ft. new space for tomatoes, set up and planted 27 teepees of pole beans, done a third planting of mesclun and leaf lettuce, reclaimed the raspberry patch, and more! We are having fun. And getting strong.

Things are pretty lush in the greenhouse and we have started eating some early greens and radishes. In fact, we are ready for the first delivery of full sized shares this Friday, May 22! I expect the half shares to start a week later and the minis are planned to start the first week of June. It seems amazing and exciting.

So a heads up to you all. The shares are about to begin. I will send a separate message to the full share folks.
Yours in good health,
Laura