Shares for sale

I've started selling shares for the 2012 season! I am excited both to have returning and new farm members already. It's neat to have a few shares sold already when it is still 2011. This is a flyer I brought to the Leyden Craft Fair. If you would like a copy, I can email or snail mail one to you. So happy about farming. I just planted Red Russian Kale, Swiss Chard and Red Garnet Mustard for the hoophouse today. I am aiming for mid May harvest for the earliest shares. Keep your fingers crossed!

IN CASE YOU CAN'T READ THE FLYER, IT SAYS: Laura Timmerman's Farm A tiny farm with a big heart. Leyden's very own little CSA – really local and really fresh, organically grown vegetables, fruits, and flowers Three sizes to suit your needs: Full Shares, Half Shares and Mini Shares I grow a wide variety of produce and flowers, focusing on delicious and heirloom varieties. In addition to standard garden favorites, such as beans, tomatoes and lettuce, I like to grow vegetables that you might not find in your local market, such as fresh shell beans, Italian and Asian greens, and varieties that are difficult to ship long distances, but are oh so tasty. I have been growing food organically in this same location for over thirty years. I never use chemical fertilizers or pesticides but focus on natural, intensive, sustainable methods of caring for the garden. The farm includes a mixed flock of heirloom, pasture-raised chickens who lay delicious, dark-yolked eggs in a rainbow of colors. I am an experienced gardener but a new farmer. I invite you to become part of my exciting and joyful adventure. BASIC SHARE INFO: Farm members receive fresh, local produce during the growing season. Full and Half Shares last 20-24 weeks, depending on the weather, and include a weekly bouquet. Mini Shares last 16 weeks and include a bouquet when possible. All shares include Pick-Your-Own privileges when possible. Full Shares - $600.00 - $675.00, sliding scale Half Shares - $300.00 - $350.00, sliding scale Mini Shares - $100.00 Pick Up at the farm on Thursdays Contact Laura for more information or to reserve your share for the 2012 season. 413-773-8325, laurat-at-crocker.com

I'll be at the LEYDEN CRAFT FAIR this Sunday with eggs and information about the 2012 Farm Shares. Stop by for a visit!

FARM SHARE # 23 - October 27, 2011

HALF SHARE:


FULL SHARE:

Last share of the season!
I am pretty happy with the size and variety of this last share. Let's hope for winter squash, broccoli and more potatoes next fall. It's been a lovely year in general, despite so much rain. It has always been reassuring to me as a gardener, and now as a farmer, that every year some things do well, some fail or wimp along, and some crops are outstanding. There's always enough to eat and each year has its special flavor. This year I grew the best peppers ever. In fact I will be very glad when the hot peppers are done! I miss winter squash and I look forward to trying corn next year.

Most of all, I am grateful to my farm members for their patience and willingness to try new things, whether it's radish tops or edaname or tiny thinnings of Swiss chard. In fact, our farm members are frequently appreciative of many of the vegetables, fruits and flowers they get in their shares, as well my efforts on their behalf. That gives me courage and hope, no matter what the season.

So to all you farm members, THANK YOU! You are the best.

FARM WEEK # 14 - August 25, 2011 - Minis - Week # 11

August 22, 2011
Hello on this beautiful late summer day!

FARM NEWS
The most exciting news around here is that the TILLER is repaired!! (Thank you, Doug. You are awesome.) Robin spent much of the weekend tilling and weed whacking some of the most weedy, neglected parts of the farm. It made a big difference. (Thank you, Robin! You are awesome, too.) I put my time into hand weeding and planting more fall crops, especially spinach. I also harvested the last of the onions and although they are a bit small this year, they still look good. At the moment my projects are to freeze tomatoes, make pickles and plant more fall items, daikon radishes, Chinese broccoli, kolrabi and pak choy. Hmmm, I seem to detect an Asian theme to these fall items...

Speaking of Asian food, the EDANAME (fresh soybeans) is almost ready. Robin and I tested some and it was so, so good! Still a bit small but, wow. We just pulled the pods off the plants, boiled them a few minutes and then squeezed open the pods so the inner bean could pop into our mouths. Yum.

My thoughts are already turning towards 2012, thinking about what to plant and where and how to prepare the soil this year for NEXT SPRING. One thing I really want to grow is sweet corn. I haven't grown it for quite a few years but I've done well with it in the past. And imagine how delicious our own corn on the cob would be! I also want to plant strawberries and maybe some more raspberries. Feel free to make suggestions about your favorite crops.

I guess I am feeling pretty hopeful and full of ideas today. I think it's a direct effect of all that cleared out brush and freshly rototilled ground. Many things look possible.


THIS WEEK'S SHARES:

FULL AND HALF SHARES -
Carrots or beets
Garlic
Leeks
Tomatoes
Kale
Cucumbers
Beans
Hot peppers
Sweet peppers
Squash
Fennel - this was supposed to bulb up but it bolted instead. Use like dill. Smells and tastes like licorice.
Soybeans? This is very close to being ready. Maybe this week...
Flowers


MINI SHARES - Choose two (plus flowers, as usual)
Tomatoes
Beans
Carrots
Hot peppers
Leeks
Garlic
Kale

Have a great day and maybe I hope to see you during pick up on Thursday, 12:00 - 6:00.

Your farmer,
Laura

Laura Timmerman
910 Greenfield Rd
Leyden, MA 01337
413-773-8325
laurat-at-crocker.com

2011 Farm Shares on facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150198790794656.328961.837814655&l=c1ca374ea9

ShARE # 13 - 2011

MINI SHARE



HALF SHARE



FULL SHARE



Everything is picked, sorted, chilled and ready for pick up. Watch full and half share folks, the shares are big this week!

Kale is mostly from Robin's garden. Collards are from here.

No edible flowers today. They just weren't open yet because of all the recent rains. Probably they will open up during the day today so if you want some, bring scissors and a container.

PYO cherry tomatoes.

Half shares get 2 boxes of tomatoes; full shares get 4.

Mini Choices:
tomatoes - 3 portions
beans - 1
collards - 1
carrots - 1
All requests were filled. Actually, I have been able to fill all the mini share requests all year!

I am heading out around 3:30 or 4:00. Good luck!
Laura

FARM WEEK # 9 - July 21, 2011 - Minis - Week # 6

Crocosmia



July 19, 2011
Hello friends of the farm,

I'm going to try to keep this brief tonight so I can get to sleep early and so nothing grows bigger before I get this out to you! When I checked the garden on Monday morning and at that time I thought there would be 3 kinds of beans ready to pick for Thursday. This afternoon I discovered that there are now 5 kinds that are big enough. It must be something about the warm sunshine. Everything is growing fast!

FARM NEWS:

Not a lot of news this week. As you know, I was ill last week and most of my extra time and energy has been devoted to healing. Thank goodness, that seems to be bearing fruit. (couldn't resist, sorry) We did spread plastic mulch over a large area so the pumpkins have lots of room to run around. And I have been tying up the tomato plants; they just get bigger and bigger. And we've been weeding. Sarah watered the young fruit trees and has gone on bug patrol several times, collecting potato bugs, Japanese beetles and cabbage worms. These are two important tasks that need to happen over and over. Thanks, Sarah! Lots more of everything to do and 15 more bales of straw were delivered yesterday so the weekend won't be dull.

Meanwhile, the garden is thriving. There are raspberries to pick every few days, lots of beans, including the first Scarlet Runner beans, AND the tomatoes are ripening! The first tomatoes will be included in half and full shares this week. I must warn you that very soon we will have lots and lots of cucumbers. It's time to think about your favorite salad and pickle recipes.

(I just took a break from writing to go shut up the chickens for the night. With the long summer days, I have to wait until after 8:30 before all the birds have gone in so I can shut the coop door. Two exceptions: there is one young pullet who would like to roost outside on top of a fence. Each evening I have to prod her off with a stick and remind her about nighttime predators. The other exceptions are the two mama hens and their chicks. The mothers bring the chicks in early and tuck them underneath their bodies. By 7:00 all the babies are in bed.)

There will a bit of a lull before the next round of mesclun. In the meantime, we have head lettuce.

Rubeckia


THIS WEEK'S SHARES:

FULL & HALF SHARES:

turnips
radishes
a few small kolrabi?
head lettuce
beans - Provider, Annellino Stortino, Dragon Tongue, Royal Burgandy, Northeaster, Scarlet Runner
fava beans - priority to the half shares this week since they haven't had them yet.
greens - could be chard, kale, turnip greens or a mix, depends on the harvest
green onions (regular onions that are not fully formed yet. very tasty)
raspberries
tomatoes
carrots

snap peas pyo
snow peas pyo

MINI SHARES:

Several of these items only have enough for 2 or 3 shares. There's plenty over all but it will be first come, first serve if you have a preference.

1 - Your Choice of TWO of these:
head lettuce
green onions
beans
mixed greens - turnip, kale, chard
raspberries
or
Farmer's Choice of any of the above or something else entirely that needs picking!

2 - flowers

snap peas pyo
snow peas pyo

I'll be finishing the picking on Wednesday evening so let me know before that if you have a preference.

Have a great day and see you at pick and pick-your-own Thursday, 12:00 - 6:00.
Follow-up PYO on available on Saturday.
Laura

Laura Timmerman
910 Greenfield Rd
Leyden, MA 01337
413-773-8325
laurat-at-crocker.com
Back to the Farm
2011 Farm Shares on facebook:

Sweet peas

SHARE # 8 - 2011

It feels like we are really on a roll. Lots to pick out there! I picked 8 pounds of beans this week and it was the first "small" picking. So get set, think about all the ways you like to eat beans. Dilly beans for the winter or for gifts? Three bean salad for pot lucks? Beans with mint? Frozen beans for winter eating? What are your favorites?

Suddenly we are in the part of the season where things Must Be Picked or they go bad or get too big or whatever. Tomorrow I will be picking raspberries for my own freezer. And there are snap peas, snow peas in the PYO area plus sweet peas for bouquets if you care to come by to pick some on Saturday.

The weeds are trying to get ahead of me so there are plenty of hands-on possibilities here if that appeals to you. Saturday anytime is fine for weeding, mulching or tomato supporting.

YOUR SHARES:
(sizes are approximate)



Half Share-
mesclun 5 oz
garlic 1
turnips 4 oz
pea shoots 1.5 oz
beans 1 pound
raspberries 1 pint
peas 1 pound
sorrel 1 bundle
radishes 20
flowers



Full Share-
Twice as much except for peas and beans
Also: fava beans 1 pound 2oz and squash blossoms



Mini Share-
Your choice of two items: 1 pt. berries, 1 pound beans, or 5 oz. mesclun

Half and Minis got a couple of fava beans each to sample. Hopefully, there will be favas for the half and mini shares in the coming weeks. Favas a bit unusual and their preparation may be unfamiliar. See the recipe blog for some links to some useful web sites.

I forgot to put purslane in the mesclun, but I'll add it next week. This time we added borage and calendula flowers to the mesclun. You can eat the borage whole but it's probably best to pull the petals off the calendula. Another PYO item: If you come by on Saturday and want to pick calendula flowers to dry fo tinctures or salves, you are welcome to do so.

Enjoy!
PS Now that we have Make Your Own bouquets, I seldom have a good picture of a made up bouquet to post here. Feel free to send me pictures of your finished bouquets!

FARM WEEK # 8 - July 14, 2011 - Minis - Week # 5

July 11, 2011
Good morning, farming friends,

FARM NEWS:

Raspberries!
Sweet peas!
Beans!

Oh, it is so SUMMERY around here! Hot and sunny, lots of bees and butterflies, lots of pepper and tomato blossoms, flowers bursting into bloom, tiny fruits forming and ripening. Every time I turn around there is something new to see. This morning it was half inch long cucumbers and a multitude of young runner beans. The earth is bountiful.



One of my favorite flowers is in full bloom now. SWEET PEAS. They smell incredible and like many annuals, they simply must be picked or they will stop flowering. Okay. I will! (Keep in mind that sweet pea flowers are toxic! Garden pea flowers are edible. Go figure.)

PICK YOUR OWN snap peas went well last week. This week there should be more snap peas and some snow peas (like those used in stir fry) as well. There are some flowers blooming that area as well and you are welcome pick some of those too. Later there will be cherry tomatoes in a variety of colors and shapes and flavors.

We have been WEEDING and weeding and weeding. Thanks to Robin's efforts, the Swiss chard and hot peppers and Brussel sprouts and the second planting of carrots and beets have room to grow and thrive. I thinned the first planting of carrots and was surprised to see how many are getting close to full size. I plan on letting them get nice and big before picking the next batch but it won't be very long.

The salad tomatoes and pole bean areas look like lush little JUNGLES. Every time I go by I try to tuck those plants up their poles and trellises. We are trying to keep in control so we can get in there to pick. Already there are plenty of green tomatoes and tiny beans. The bush beans already have full sized beans and Rob and I ate the first picking of Provider bush beans this past weekend. Delicious! I'll be picking for the shares this week!

Yes, I did say RASPBERRIES. Raspberries. And black raspberries. I picked the first few pints on the weekend and they were wonderful. The weather is perfect for ripening fruit so I expect the full and half shares to have berries this week. If there is enough, the minis can have some as well. Raspberry season usually lasts about 3 weeks. By the time the season is done, everyone can have some at least once.



Gosh, this is a busy place. We also have BABY CHICKS. The second batch is hatching. Total count so far is six and we are hoping for more. Both moms are doing a great job of caring for their babies. The most entertaining thing so far was giving them some chickweed a few days ago. The bantam mom kept picking at the plants and her chicks would reach up to take tiny leaves out of her mouth! The next day when I gave them the chickweed, the chicks knew all about what to do and kept tugging at the plants themselves. In general, it is great to see the mother hens caring for and teaching their little ones.



I could go on and on but better stop. I will just say that the large bundles of strange smelling greenery hanging up to dry on the porch is not an illegal substance! It's just STINGING NETTLES that we are drying to feed the chickens in the winter. Nettles are full of protein, vitamins and minerals and easy to add to their grain.



THIS WEEK'S SHARES:

FULL & HALF SHARES:

turnips
radishes
mesclun
pea shoots
head lettuce? (Next batch is almost ready.)
beans
green garlic
raspberries
sorrel (A green leafy herb with a lemon flavor, especially nice for sorrel and potato soup or with eggs.)
shell peas - full and working
fava beans - full and working, more? (I forgot to mention that these are starting up! Bigger by the minute.)

snap peas pyo
snow peas pyo
rubeckia, calendula. tithonia, snaps, sweet peas, cosmos, more


MINI SHARES:

Several of these items only have enough for 2 or 3 shares. There's plenty over all but it will be first come, first serve if you have a preference.

1 - Your Choice of TWO of these:
mesclun
green garlic
beans
turnips
sorrel
(raspberries - may or may not be available this week)
or
Farmer's Choice of any of the above or something else entirely that needs picking!

2 - flowers

3 - Pick Your Own
snap peas
snow peas

I'll be finishing the picking on Wednesday evening so let me know before that if you have a preference.

Have a great day and see you at pick and pick-your-own Thursday, 12:00 - 6:00.
Follow-up PYO on available on Saturday.
Laura

Laura Timmerman
910 Greenfield Rd
Leyden, MA 01337
413-773-8325
laurat-at-crocker.com
Back to the Farm
2011 Farm Shares on facebook:

Your shares - July 7 and June 30, 2011

With all the happy celebrating going on around here last weekend, I never posted anything about what was in the shares. I hope you figured it out and also found some tasty ways to use your food! For cooking ideas, don't forget to check out the recipe blog. It is now set up so you can search it by key word, such as pea shoots, or turnips, or garlic scapes. I find this to be very helpful.

Pick up went very smoothly this week. The only hitch was that I had put some turnip greens in a bucket of water and I am not sure if everyone saw them or not. If you wanted some but didn't see them, let me know and I'll pick you some extra greens next time. (Eliza?)

Pea shoots are much more tender now that I am only picking off the growing tips, about 2 -3 inches long. Enjoy!

For myself, I once again found myself just putting out the shares at 1:30, having worked since 6:30. Now it's the weekend and there are still some picking buckets to wash, cold paks to put in the freezer and some drying cloths to wash and dry for the next picking. It just seems to be very important for me to pick everything on Wednesday so there is time and energy to clean up and put away my equipment on Thursday afternoon. I will concentrate on that this week.



First, a brief report of the shares on June 30:
Half Shares:
Garlic scapes, head lettuce, dill, kolrabi, radishes, turnips, mesclun and flowers.
Full Share: The same but more of them and also kale and peas.
Mini Shares:
Everyone got mesclun and flowers and either garlic scapes or pea shoots.

Pick Your Own started up with snap peas for all who wanted them.







This week's shares, July 7, 2011:
Mini Shares:
Everyone got flowers and their choice of two things from this list:
kale
mesclun
mixed greens (kale, collards, mustard greens)
garlic scapes
snap peas
turnips

Half Shares:
mesclun 6 oz.
small cabbages 1
parsley 1 bunch
cilantro 1 bunch
tiny carrots 1 bunch
green garlic 2
turnips 1 6 oz bunch
turnip greens big bunch
pea shoots 1 1/2 oz
radish thinnings 1 box
flowers

Full Share:
The full share got twice as much on the above, except for greeen garlic. Plus they got 1 # peas, 8.5 oz chard, and 10 oz snap peas.





There were lots of snap peas ready to pick and many people chose to pick some to add to their share. Neat! Wednesday Nick cut some more poles and Thursday Sarah and I supported the snow peas and mulched the PYO area. Yesterday I finished putting signs in the pick-your-own area, so now it is easy to see where to walk and where are the snap peas, snow peas, flowers and cherry tomatoes. Most of the cherry tomatoes have variety labels as well so you can start imagining Matt's Wild Cherries, Sun Golds, Lemon Drop, Black Pear, Black Cherries and more!

FARM WEEK # 7 - July 7, 2011 - Minis - Week # 4

July 6, 2011
Greetings, patient farm members!

I am sorry to be slow late to send you your weekly farm news/what's coming in your share email. My only excuse is that I was goofing off. Seriously. There was lots of visiting, singing, pot luck meal sharing, baby chick showing, garden touring, more singing, laughing, and general carrying on all weekend with friends from far and wide. It was wonderful. I hope you had a happy holiday as well.

I just realized that I did not send an email or post at the blog about what was picked and shared last week. Oops. I guess I started to party early. Please feel free to call or email with questions about your share. I want to help you enjoy your food.

FARM NEWS:
While inspecting the garden on Tuesday morning in order to write this message, I found that the first bush beans were forming many little beans about 1 inch long. Later that afternoon, the little beans were about 1 1/2 inches long. Today (Wednesday) there are some 2 inch beans! They are growing so fast in this warm, summery weather! I think we will be eating fresh beans very soon. And these first beans are just the beginning. We have 4 kinds of bush beans - green, yellow and purple and about 10 kinds of pole beans. Then there will be edaname (fresh soybeans) and fava beans as well. Yum.



HIGHLIGHTS OF FARM NEWS:
Four baby chicks hatched on Sunday!



We ate the first tomato on Saturday, a delicious, orange Jaune Flamme!
All the tomatoes are supported and mulched!
Carrots are starting to size up. There are tiny green hazel nuts. The dahlias have buds.
The Swiss chard is still kind of small, due to weed overload. The crew is working on it!
Lots of SNAP PEAS ready in the Pick Your Own area. Please feel free to pick some for extra for your share.
Mesclun this week includes kale and radish thinnings for vitamins and spice!



More head lettuce coming soon.

THIS WEEK'S SHARES:

FULL & HALF SHARES:
mesclun
little cabbages - I had to pick these before they split. Tiny, but hopefully, tasty.
curly parsley
cilantro
green garlic
a few baby carrots
turnips
turnip greens
pea shoots
Sugar Snap peas - Full Share only, Half Shares are welcome to pick some.
Shell peas - Full and Working Shares only
Chard - for the Full Share only
flowers - rudbeckia, sweet peas? daisies, cosmos, calendula, yarrow, snapdragons, etc.

MINI SHARES:

Several of these items only have enough for 2 or 3 shares. There's plenty over all but it will be first come, first serve if you have a preference. Again, I apologize for the late email.

1 - Your Choice of TWO of these:
mesclun
greens - mustard, turnip, kale or a mix
Sugar Snap peas (picked by LT)
green garlic
garlic scapes
or
Farmer's Choice of any of the above or something else entirely that needs picking!

2 - flowers



I'll be finishing the picking on Thursday morning so let me know before that if you have a preference.

Have a great day and see you Thursday, 12:00 - 6:00.
Laura

Laura Timmerman
910 Greenfield Rd
Leyden, MA 01337
413-773-8325
laurat-at-crocker.com


2011 Farm Shares on facebook:

FARM WEEK # 6 - June 30, 2011 - Minis - Week # 3

June 27, 2011
Good evening, friends and farm members!

The sun has been a big tease lately but today was a treat!

FARM NEWS:
This week the focus has been on weeding, supporting with trellises and stakes, mulching and setting out the very last of the seedlings. We got the pumpkins in and transplanted a bunch of head lettuces for later on. Most of the flowers are in as well. Still looking for a spot to tuck some more fennel and kolrabi plants. Next up, re-planting some of our favorites like mesclun and white turnips.

In between chores we, (or is it just me?), have been distracted by the prettiness of the garden, especially the weeded and mulched areas and the tiny new crops coming in. Sarah taste tested the first of the Sugar Snap peas and I've been munching tiny turnips and carrots and sniffing the first blooms of the Sweet Peas. Lovely.




The new arbor is up and now we get to watch the hops and moonflower vines grow. So far the shade there is imaginary but I have high hopes for a cool spot to relax and watch the moonflowers open up in the evening. If you've never seen a moonflower, they are amazing. Like giant, fragrant full moons.




The Wicked Early Tomato patch is thriving. The plants are 5 feet tall and stocky AND there is a yellow tomato ripening! There are LOTS of raspberries forming. It looks like a good year for berries. Little orange, yellow and purple carrots are forming. The young pullets now have their own little house and yard so they get lots of outdoor time and the chance to study the big birds to see they can learn anything. Sadly for us, the woodchuck seems to be getting most of the second planting of kale. Hopefully, the third planting will be all ours.




The bantam hen is setting her four eggs with dedication. Her due date is Monday! The Dark Cornish hen's eleven eggs should hatch the following Saturday, July 9.

THIS WEEK'S SHARES:
Pea shoots - I have discovered that the very tips of the shoots are the most tender and for now will be adding them to the mesclun. Or you can request a bundle of just the shoots, if you like, and I will keep them on the short side. When the hot weather comes, these will probably get too tough. I should have more in the fall.

If you have the time when you pick up your share, take a walk through the Pick-Your-Own snap peas on Thursday. There are more ready every day! Eat them up or bring a container. Look for signs at the south end of the garden. (closest to the mail box)




FULL & HALF SHARES:
kolrabi - These are delicious. Just peel and eat the insides raw. Usually slice them and add to salads.
mesclun
head lettuce
dill
garlic scapes - the buds of garlic plants, use like scallions or garlic or make scape pesto
radishes? - They are almost done for now but I think there are still some. More just germinated.
turnips? - almost ready, but it may be next week, we'll just have to see.
Shell peas - Full and Working Shares only
Kale - for the Full Share only
flowers - rudbeckia? sweet peas? sweet william, daisies, cosmos, calendula, yarrow, etc.

MINI SHARES:

1 - mesclun

2 - Your Choice of one of these:
garlic scapes
mustard greens (only one portion, first to call it, gets it)
curly parsley
pea shoots
or
Farmer's Choice of any of the above or something else entirely that needs picking!

3 - flowers

Most likely I'll be picking on Wednesday late afternoon so let me know before that if you have a preference.

Have a great day and see you Thursday,
Laura

Laura Timmerman
910 Greenfield Rd
Leyden, MA 01337
413-773-8325
laurat-at-crocker.com
Farm Blog
2011 Farm Shares on facebook:

Share # 5 - 2011, Mini Share # 2 - 2011

Suddenly, the shares seem big! And there is enough growing in the garden that I didn't need to pick every last leaf that was ready for harvest.

Lots of Sweet William for the bouquets this week, and there are calendula, yarrow, canterbury bells and rudbeckia starting to bloom. Flowers for everyone.

The garlic scapes are in full swing. Expect more next week.

Check out the recipe blog for some ideas for using radish tops, kolrabi, garlic scapes, parsley and pea shoots.


TODAY'S SHARES

Full Share
mesclun 4 oz
kolrabi 4
parsley 4 oz
garlic scapes 6.5 oz
radishes 2 big bunches
scallions 3.5oz
pea shoots 3 oz
cilantro 1.3 oz
chard/beet thinnings 6 oz
mustard greens 1 #




Half Share
Half as much as the full share but no mustard greens and the same amount of mesclun




Mini Shares
Everyone gets 4 oz mesclun and a big bunch of radishes, except for the special requests who got parsley and turnip greens.







Enjoy your fresh food and flowers!
Laura

FARM WEEK # 5 - June 23, 2011

FUZZY YOUNG PEACHES

June 21, 2011
Good morning, farm members!

All is well here on this sunny Solstice morning. Last week's picking and delivery went well. Check the CSA blog for pictures and details.

YOUR SHARE - I keep forgetting a couple of things about the shares. One is that if you have particular likes or dislikes or allergies, please let me know. The other thing is that please remember that your vegetables are NOT ready to eat. They need washing!

FARM NEWS:
The farm crew has been working hard to get the last of the seedlings in and to plant for later crops, like carrots, beets and rutabagas. And to weed, mulch, water, support, fertilize, encourage, admire, and generally nurture all the growing things around here. This includes tiny pea pods, budding calendula, bees, borage seedlings, mock orange flowers, wild roses, baby chicks, setting hens, small green raspberries, huge (I mean really huge!) tomato plants, and more. The garden is alive, smelling sweetly of flowers and full of singing birds. Heavenly.




SCARLET RUNNER BEAN FLOWERS


One exciting item of farm news is that we have a new FARM HELPER, Nick of Leyden, a recent high school graduate and friend, looking for some time outdoors and a chance to build muscles. Well. The farm as an outdoor gym? We have lots of that kind of work around here! Thank you so much, Nick!

The woodchuck is still around. There has been some damage but mostly s/he is making me nervous. Next step is to clear the brush around the garden, especially near the den. I know that they do not like being exposed.

THIS WEEK'S SHARES:
The Italian parsley has decided to bolt. (That means go to seed, not run away.) So I will pick all of that this week and replant. We still have curly leaf parsley to eat. One item that needs picking is some Thick Stemmed Mustard greens. Unfortunately the leaves have lots of holes due to insect damage. It is still fine to eat but I won't put it in your share unless you request it. Garlic scapes are ready!

FULL & HALF SHARES:
kolrabi
mesclun
parsley
garlic scapes (the buds of garlic plants, use like scallions or garlic)
radishes
scallions
pea shoots (if you come up with a great way to prepare these, please let me know)
cilantro (can substitute dill)
thinnings of beets and chard (baby greens, use like spinach)
mustard greens (by request only)
flowers - still lots of Sweet William out there

MINI SHARES:
mesclun
Your Choice of one of these - parsley, garlic scapes, turnip green thinnings
or
Farmer's Choice of any of the above or something else entirely that needs picking!
flowers

Because of the coming rain, I'll be picking on Wednesday, so let me know soon if you have a preference.


Have a wonderful day and a peaceful, happy summer,
Laura

Laura Timmerman
910 Greenfield Rd
Leyden, MA 01337
413-773-8325
laurat-at-crocker.com
http://lasting-impressions-on-the-farm.blogspot.com/
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Share # 4 - 2011, Mini Share # 1 - 2011

Mini Share - 1 bunch radishes and 6 oz. mesclun

We did it! We picked and packed for all the shares this time and the Mini Share folks came and picked up their mesclun and radishes. It was great to have the farm going full swing and thank you, everyone for patiently waiting for your food to grow.

Some little Pick Up related items:
Please check off your NAME when you take your share, so I can tell who didn't get theirs if there is a problem.
Please do take your food in any bag or container it is packed in, if you wish. Please wash, dry and return freezer BAGS and CONTAINERS. This is a big help to me.
If I have extra EGGS, I will put them in the little refrigerator. Any that are reserved will be so marked but others are for sale. $4.00 a dozen. Leave the money in the basket.
FLOWERS - So far we are using no real system except trusting that each person will take flowers if they want and leave some for others. It's working fine, and later there will be even more flowers available so that should continue to be fine. If you don't want flowers for yourself, or even if you do but it looks like there are lots that day, please take flowers for someone who needs something beautiful and bright in their life.




TODAY'S SHARE

Approximate amounts for the Half Shares; Full Shares got twice as much.
1 bunch radishes
6 oz. mesclun
5 oz. turnip greens
3 oz. arugula
1/2 oz. cilantro
herb sampler: lemon thyme, parsley, peppermint




To see photos of all the 2011 shares click here.

YES!! The Mini Shares are starting tomorrow! 6/16/11

6/15/11

Hip hip hooray! We picked the mesclun and radishes this morning and there is enough for all the farm shares! I can't offer the minis any choice this week, but you can eat crunchy, juicy Radishes and Mesclun.

This week's mesclun includes baby chard, chicory, leaf lettuce, wild sorrel, chickweed, baby spinach, endive thinnings, mustard thinnings, Golden Frills mustard, Ruby Streaks mustard, Endive frisee, Johnny Jump Up flowers and calendula flower petals! Pretty and tasty.

For those new to picking up:

Pick up is 12:00 - 6:00, or let me know if you need to be late.

I live at 910 Greenfield Rd. Call me if you don't know where that is. 773-8325
I have a circular driveway. Come in at the end by the mailbox.

Bring a bag for your things, including a bag or container for your radishes, if you wish. The mesclun will be in bags. Mostly this year, I am hoping you will bring your own containers but I will be packing some items to protect them from drying or crushing, etc. Please return clean, dry containers the following week.

Bouquets are Make-Your-Own this year. There will be plenty of Sweet William for everyone tomorrow. Bring a jar, or a vase, or a vase. There will be scissors for trimming, water for containers and a few extra jars.

I will be here to guide you and in some cases, meet you! I am so glad to be starting up the Mini-Shares.
See you,
Laura


Laura Timmerman
910 Greenfield Rd
Leyden, MA 01337
413-773-8325
laurat-at-crocker.com
http://lasting-impressions-on-the-farm.blogspot.com/

FARM WEEK # 4 - June 16, 2011 - Still only FULL AND HALF SHARES?????

June 14, 2011

Dear friends of the farm,

FARM NEWS
I've been putting off writing this week because I SO want to start the Mini-Shares. Earlier in the week I was sure there were not enough vegetables ready. Now, I am not so sure. I will be picking the radishes and mesclun tomorrow morning and will make a decision based on the harvest. There is a chance that there will be enough for everyone. I'll send you an email by noon tomorrow and let you know. If the minis start, there will be no choice this time; only the mesclun and radishes look likely.

However, coming right along are garlic scapes, head lettuce, kolrabi, dill and cilantro. The peas, (snow, snap and shell), are all blooming, the tomatoes are busily setting fruit, the onions and leeks suddenly look substantial, the pole beans are climbing their poles and making buds, and the cabbages are forming heads. The garden is a happening place!

The chicken coop is kind of busy too. There are two broody hens and I am gathering eggs for them to set. In a few weeks there will be more chicks, if all goes well. And the young pullets are all feathered out and about ready to enter the main flock. They look like miniature chickens now.
To see pictures of chicks from our hens' eggs go here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/eroyalty/May2011Chicks?authkey=Gv1sRgCMmi3uaZx_aPXw&feat=directlink#
We gave some eggs to someone with a broody hen and that's what hatched out!

Now that the rain slowed down I have been setting out more plants. Celery, fennel, Asian onions, 75 more head lettuces, and Pick-Your-Own flowers are all in. Kale, brussel sprouts, more lettuce and a ton of flowers going in tomorrow. After that I'll be planting rutabagas and more squash, cukes, carrots and beets. And then more succession plantings after that, but if I look that far ahead my head starts spinning.

I am looking forward to some sunny days! Wow!

Still lots to do here before I feel like the garden is really in. Planting and mulching are the main things. If you feel like helping with that, come on by on Saturday (all day) or Sunday morning. It's fun! it's grubby! It's peaceful here! There are chickens for entertainment!

SHARE # 3: For information about last week's share check out the csa blog:
http://lastingimpressionscsa.blogspot.com/


PICK UP: Pick up went more smoothly this week. Thanks for the extra care selecting your items. I think that listing the Half and Full Shares on separate papers might have helped as well. For the time being, (until I finish cleaning the garage) we will continue putting the shares on the porch, especially if it looks like rain. I will probably put the flowers outside on sunny days since the porch gets so warm. The coolers worked fine for the vegetables. (Still looking for more refrigerators...)

THIS WEEK'S SHARE:

Mesclun - featuring thinnings of spinach, chard, mustard and chicory and Johnny Jump Up flowers
Radishes
Arugula
Baby turnip greens
Probably bits of garlic scapes, mint, cilantro and maybe dill.
Flowers - Peonies! Sweet William!, and more. Calendula and Valerian starting to bloom. And I just bought about 75 more flower plants at Walker Farm in Putney, VT, mostly perennials that we can enjoy in the bouquets for years and years.

The shares still seem kind of small to me. We need sun and rain. In good proportion.
I am looking forward to that.

Look for another email tomorrow by noon about the minis. If not this week, it will be next week for sure. Think garlic scapes!
Laura


Laura Timmerman
910 Greenfield Rd
Leyden, MA 01337
413-773-8325
laurat-at-crocker.com
http://lasting-impressions-on-the-farm.blogspot.com/

SHARE # 3 - 2011

This week's share was picked by Laura and prepped by Sarah. Thank you, Sarah! Because of the possibility of thunderstorms, we put the produce and flowers on the front porch. This worked out well and when the rains came, everything stayed nice and dry. Eventually, the garage will be set up for the shares but the porch is a convenient alternative.

One of the fun parts of the day occurred when two farm shares were being picked up at the same time. This allowed Marie Bartlett to read her new book, The Little Yellow Trolley Car to our youngest farm member, Hugo and his mom. It was a hit.





Your farm share this week:
(approximate weights)

Half Share
Radishes 1 bunch
Rhubarb 1 #
Kale 1 bunch
mesclun 4 oz.
parsley 1/2 oz
Sweet Cicely 1 oz

Full Share -
Twice as much plus 1 kolrabi, 12 oz broccoli side shoots and 6 oz. arugula thinnings