CSA at Lasting Impressions

SAMPLE FULL SHARES - 2011

2012-01-09T18:05:00.000-08:00

FULL SHARES are geared toward a slightly bigger family or a couple who love their vegetables or who enjoy putting up some food for the winter. The share includes a weekly bouquet and Pick-your-own snap peas, beans, cherry and plum tomatoes.

20 - 24 weeks of organic produce and flowers.

Sliding scale: $600.00 - $675.00 $300 due by April 1, balance due by July 1.

AN EARLY SEASON SHARE

Pea shoots, radishes, mesclun, kale spearmint

PEAK SEASON SHARE

Celery, tomatoes, squash, hot peppers, garlic, microgreens, eggplant, sweet peppers, cukes, beans, leeks, carrots, onions, greens

SUMMER SHARE

Garlic scapes, radishes, mesclun, kolrabi, turnip greens, scallions, arugula, mint

EARLY SUMMER FLOWERS

Peonies, pyrethrum, rocket, salvia

SAMPLE HALF SHARES 2011

2012-01-09T17:43:00.000-08:00

HALF SHARES are intended to be a good amount for a couple who enjoy eating vegetables and occasionally like to preserve something for the winter. Or be about right for a small family. Or be for one person who likes to both eat and put up some food for the winter. A little larger than the MINIS but still quite manageable.

Like the Full Shares, Half Shares start as early as there are crops in the garden (mid May?) and last until mid fall (Halloween?). Depending on the weather, they can last 20 - 24 weeks. With the farm's new hoop house, I am hoping to get them started early and going late with plenty of variety.

The size and content of the shares vary with the season but most weeks will contain some sort of SALAD GREENS, like mesclun, head lettuce or arugula, some kind of COOKING GREENS like kale, chard, collards, mustard greens, turnip greens, spinach or New Zealand spinach, and whatever else is ready. I like to include some form of ONION whenever possible, scallions, leeks, onions, or garlic and ROOT VEGETABLES when they are available, carrots, beets, turnips, radishes, as the season changes.

Other items vary throughout the season from rhubarb in the spring, tomatoes in the summer, and winter squash in the fall. Everything is subject to the whim of Mother Nature, but there is always plenty of GOOD EATING!FLOWERS for Make-Your-Own bouquets are included with your share.

Pick-your-own snap peas, beans, cherry tomatoes are part of your share.

20 - 24 weeks of organic produce and flowers.

Sliding scale: $300 - $350 for the season. $200 due by April 1. Balance due July 1.

FLOWERS FOR BOUQUETS
Zinnias, dahlias, gladiolas, verbena, lisianthus, snapdragons

A REALLY BIG PEAK HARVEST SEASON HALF SHARE

Onions, eggplant, hot peppers, garlic, tomatoes, kale, carrots, leeks, cucumbers, celery, microgreens, squash

AN EARLY SEASON HALF SHARE

Rhubarb, lettuce, spearmint, violets

SAMPLE MINI SHARES - 2011

2012-01-09T16:11:00.000-08:00

MINI SHARES consist of two items each week, plus a bouquet, for 16 weeks. Farm members can choose what they would like out of each week's available items or take Farmer's Choice. Just enough to enjoy. Not so much to be overwhelmed.

$100.00 for 16 weeks. Payable by April 1.

BEANS AND KALE

RADISHES AND MESCLUN

SUMMER SQUASH AND TOMATOES

FLOWERS TO MAKE-YOUR-OWN BOUQUET

Shares for sale

2011-12-22T18:07:00.000-08:00

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 FarmA tiny farm with a big heart.Leyden's very own little CSA – really local and really fresh,organically grown vegetables, fruits, and flowersThree 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 scaleHalf Shares - $300.00 - $350.00, sliding scaleMini Shares - $100.00Pick Up at the farm on ThursdaysContact Laura for more information or to reserve your share for the 2012 season.413-773-8325, laurat-at-crocker.com

2011-12-07T04:43:00.001-08:00

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

2011-10-27T08:58:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-22T11:53:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-18T08:52:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-19T18:19:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-15T17:35:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-11T08:16:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-10T02:07:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-06T12:04:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-27T17:23:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-23T08:01:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-21T05:07:00.000-07:00

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/
2011 Farm Shares on facebook:

HOME

Share # 4 - 2011, Mini Share # 1 - 2011

2011-06-21T03:48:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-15T09:47:00.000-07:00

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?????

2011-06-14T18:13:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-12T13:30:00.000-07:00

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

FARM WEEK # 3 - June 9, 2011 - Still only FULL AND HALF SHARES

2011-06-07T06:37:00.000-07:00

CABBAGE FORMING A HEAD

June 7, 2011

Hello farm members,

6/6/11
I am writing this in the parking lot of Green Fields Market, waiting for a tow truck to come get my car. I ran into a friend who is coming to give me a ride home. Life is full of unexpected challenges and pleasures. The car breaks down, and there is a friend right there to give me help. It rains and rains and then it's hot, hot, hot! There is always something good going on and there is always something good that can be done, no matter what the weather. My task each day is to find those good things that can be done.

6/7/11
FARM NEWS
Shares: Things are still a bit behind because of our cold, wet May so unfortunately, I need to delay the start of the Mini- Shares. Hang in there, people! Your mesclun, salad turnips, radishes and snow peas are growing but are still too small. They getting bigger every day. Really, thank you for your patience. I will make certain that the Minis go for 16 weeks, no matter when they start.

Share # 2: For information about last week's share check out the csa blog:

Pick Up: We had a few snags last week during pick up. I believe that Sarah and I left out the correct number of bags of various vegetables and yet by the last two people picking up, the numbers were off. I am working on a better system of identifying the items and what each share should include. Please be extra careful while choosing your items and let me know if you have ideas for improving the set up. This is a work in progress, definitely a change from previous years so there is plenty of room for improvement. (Still looking for more refrigerators...)

Woodchucks: Yesterday morning I saw an amazing thing, a woodchuck carrying her baby! Into the woodshed! This is a mixed experience for sure. I love nature, and seeing a mother creature moving her baby, how cool is that? But, no, no, no, no! I am not sharing! So plans are in place. The woodshed is now my pathway of choice for my numerous trips in and out of the house, a radio is blasting and the light is on. Wood pallets to be removed soon and I guess if I start stacking wood, that will help too. And as soon as all the seedlings are in, more brush clearing will be done. And I have covered some of the choicest items in the garden. Plotting and scheming on ways to make my little corner of the world less attractive to woodchucks.

Chickens: The young chicks are fully feathered and getting frisky. On sunny days when I know I will be home all day, they get to go out on the grass in their own special yard. They love it. And gobble up bugs and comfrey leaves and run around with worms in their mouths. One of my hens, a Dark Cornish, seems to be getting broody. Robin and I have been waiting for this so we can raise up some chicks from our own hens. I am hopeful that this is about to start as she keeps sitting heavily on the nest, will barely stand up, and pecks me when I check under her for eggs. Keep your fingers crossed. Eggs are being laid regularly and in good amounts, usually 18 per day. $4.00/dozen.

Some sad things: Arugula eaten fiercely by flea beetles, some woodchuck damage on the cauliflower plants. (now covered)

BUG BIT ARUGULA, STILL EDIBLE, BUT LESS PRETTY

Some hopeful things: Soybeans bursting out of the ground, thick lush pea vines forming buds, green tomatoes, the loan of a great tool from some friends (thanks, Paula and Karen!), a new trellis for hops and moonflowers (thanks, Rob!), 7 new fruit trees in the ground (thanks, Rob!), Sweet William showing color, big radishes!

LOVE THEM SOYBEANS

JAUNE FLAMME TOMATO

THIS WEEK'S SHARE:

Kale
Mesclun - featuring various thinnings and Johnny Jump Up flowers
Radishes (full sized)
Rhubarb (from Karen Loomis)
Parsley
Flowers - signs look good for peonies and Lady's Rocket and more.

Farm blog: I have doing better so far this year about regularly posting general news at the farm blog and news about the shares at the csa blog and some cooking ideas at the recipe blog. Also, there are pictures there and sometimes links to more pictures, related items on the web, etc. (recipes, herbal info, farms). I'll try to keep it up. I like to post a picture of the shares each week and some cooking ideas that relate to that share. I did a bit of re-vamping recently and now you can search the blogs using keywords. Sarah will be signing on as an author at the farm blog so perhaps we will get the chance to hear about her experience as a working farm member this summer. (Welcome, Sarah! So glad you are here.) If you have recipes or thoughts you want to share with the rest of the farm members, just send them to me or comment directly at the blogs. That would be great.

See you soon,
Laura

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

SHARE # 2 - 2011

2011-06-07T03:52:00.001-07:00

Last week's share was pretty green and I imagine that they will continue to be that way for awhile. For cooking ideas, see the recipe blog.

Week 2 Full Share:

1 bunch kale
1 bunch endive
2 bags of mesclun
2 bags of pea shoots
2 bunches of radishes
2 bundles of sweet cicely pods
2 bundles of apple mint
flowers - dogwood, centaurea, valerian buds, lady's mantle, peonies

FARM WEEK # 2 - June 2, 2011 - FULL AND HALF SHARES ONLY

2011-05-30T15:47:00.000-07:00

May 30, 2011
Hi gang,

FARM NEWS
This is one busy place here. The sun is shining at last and the farm crew is planting and planting! Many of the early/main planting items are in although there is more to go. It's good to at least imagine the main planting being done, even if it's an illusion. This past week I have been home farming and have been very lucky to have the help of Sarah, Robin and farm member, Desiree. Thanks, you guys!

Fruit trees: 7 new fruit trees will be arriving this week. 2 peaches, 2 sweet cherries, 1 sour cherry, 1 quince and 1 pear. Thank goodness Robin is coming up to help plant them. Here's hoping for lots of delicious fruit in the shares in years to come!

The first share went well. Picking and distribution was pretty smooth. Thank you all for switching to pick up this year. It makes the process a lot simpler for me. One lovely thing was that the tree peony decided to bloom just in time for last week's bouquets. It is absolutely gorgeous.
You can read about last week's share and follow the link for recipe ideas here:

Birthday Gift: This past Saturday I got a phone call from Atlanta, Georgia from a woman who found the farm on line. She asked if I would make up a gift box of vegetables and flowers and deliver it to her friend who lives in Leyden. What a fun thing, out of the blue. So I picked and delivered a Birthday Share to the birthday gal, who was very surprised and pleased. Fun!

You can see pictures here:

I seemed to have run out of steam for the day so I'll just give you a quick low down on this week's share.

THIS WEEK'S SHARE - STILL FOR HALF AND FULL SHARES ONLY (Hang in there, Minis.)
Pick Up on Thursday - 12:00 - 6:00

pea shoots - for stir frys and more
radishes
kale and/or endive
Sweet Cicely seed pods - these are tasty just for nibbling but could be added to salads too.
mesclun
flowers - hoping there will still be peonies and maybe dogwood blossoms

Okay, now to rest up so I can plant more tomorrow!
Cheers,
Laura
PS Anyone who does not want to be on this email list, just let me know.

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

SHARE # 1 - 2011

2011-05-26T10:42:00.000-07:00

TODAY'S SHARE

Thing went pretty well today. I still have a fair amount of prep work to do to make the process more speedy. Simple things like cleaning up the dining room (where we prep the shares) so there is more counter top/table space to use. Also, I need to finish cleaning up the garage so I can make a long term set up. But, all in all, it went well and I am happy with the size and quality of the shares. I had to pick all the head lettuce but that's fine. The mesclun is getting bigger every day and I have lots more small head lettuce plants to set out.

I am trying out a whole new system of distribution this year so it was fun to try out a few new things. No delivery anymore, just pickups. And the bouquets are MYO (Make Your Own). I did not separate each person's share but instead put the bags or bundles of each thing all together and let the farm members pick out their own. Lots of new details to think about.

SHARE # 1 (quantities are approximate)

Half Share:
Rhubarb 1 # 6 OZ.
Lettuce 13.5 OZ
Spinach 1 1/4 #
Peppermint 1 bunch
Violets 1 bunch

Full Share: Twice as much.

For cooking ideas see the Farm Recipe Blog

Flowers: Tree Peonies, Leopard's Bane, Hosta leaves, Perennial Centaurea

TODAY'S SENSATION

2011 Farm Share # 1

2011-05-23T09:36:00.000-07:00

May 23, 2011
Hello Farm Members and Friends of the Farm!

(If you are busy, zip down to the bottom of this email for a list of what will be in this week's share!)

At last I am writing to you all and the share season is beginning. I have not sent you any emails for a long time but starting now, you'll be getting at least one each week, usually on Sunday or Monday. Thank you for waiting so patiently.

FARM NEWS: Rest assured, I have not been idle. Those who I get to see or talk to in my day to day life know that there are hundreds of seedlings and many, many rows of seeds planted and growing. This week I am home all week setting out tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and flowers, and planting beans, squash and cucumbers and more! And then there is fertilizing, hoeing, pruning and mulching. (Not much watering though.)
It's a busy time here.

I am the kind of person who tends to see the bright side, even in the rain. This is great weather for transplanting seedlings and it's wonderful for growing crisp and juicy lettuce and spinach. In fact, the lettuce and spinach are *insisting* that I START THE SHARES THIS WEEK. Okay, okay guys. It's always an act of faith and courage to make any commitment, and that is true for starting the farm shares as well. Now that I've been farming for five years, I recognize the feeling of uncertainty, the concern that there will not be enough for the shares. But, I remember that every year this feeling quickly passes into "What are we going to do with all this food?!"
So, we are STARTING THE SHARES THIS WEEK.

Oops, I mean the FULL AND HALF-SIZED SHARES ARE STARTING. You mini-share folks will need to wait one or possibly two more weeks. It is entirely weather dependant. The plants are in the ground - mesclun, cilantro, spinach, radishes, arugula and more - but they need some sunshine to really get growing. The start up shares this week will be a bit smaller than later ones. Just think of them as warm up shares. We all get to practice our parts and gather our containers, recipes, etc.

OTHER IMPORTANT FARM NEWS:
- Farm Helper, Sarah Brown-Anson has started working at the farm! It is just terrific to have another pair of hands and another interested gardener around the place. I can tell that Sarah's help will make a huge difference around the farm this year.

- There are baby chicks. I have twenty 2 1/2 week old chicks that are thriving and cute. Come by to see them if you are interested. They include more of the green egg laying Ameracaunas and some Welsummers, Leghorns, Anconas, Buff Orpingtons and Speckled Sussex chicks. The grown up hens are laying well. If you are interested in eggs, send me a note. I usually have plenty.

- I'm getting a hoop house! My sons Dan and Robin gave me a hoop house as a birthday/mothers' day gift!!

- It's Farming Week # 2. With a few possible exceptions, I am home this week through Sunday, May 29. If you have the urge to visit, look at your vegetables, admire the chicks or help with the planting, come on by!

DETAILS ABOUT THE SHARES:

PICK UP will be Thursday afternoon. I will be here to help you find your share. Let's say any time between 12:00 and 6:00. If that is a problem, please let me know.
(At this writing, I do not yet have a refrigerator in the garage, so I will be using coolers to start the season. Still looking for one or two more refrigerators, if you happen to bump into one.)

Bring your own BAG or BOX to hold your share. Bring a JAR for your flowers.

Now is a great time to start thinking about how to manage your share. Many people find it helpful to look through and possibly wash their vegetables the day they get them. That way you can get a good sense of what and how much you have. A good goal is to use up all your food before the following week, even if that means freezing some or inviting a friend over.

I usually rinse off the soil from the vegetables but your produce WILL NEED WASHING! If you plan on storing lettuce or mesclun or other leafy things after washing, it helps to dry it off before refrigerating. And it helps to cool down all your vegetables as soon as possible.

Okay, I don't want to say more right now because this email is already way too long. Remember that I am here to help you. If you have questions, please ask. If you want to read more about the farm, check the blog. It has a section for the farm, for the csa, for eggs and other picked-to-order items, and for recipes. If you are not a farm member this year and don't want to be on this email list, let me know. That's no problem; I'll take you right off.

THIS WEEK'S SHARE - May 26, 2011

Head lettuce
Spinach
Rhubarb (Thanks to Karen Loomis)
Wild peppermint (or applemint or spearmint, if you prefer)
Flowers - unless the rain is too much for them

This is for the Full and Half Share folks. If you all would send me a reply so I know that you got this message, that would be helpful.

See you soon!
Laura

Laura Timmerman
910 Greenfield Rd
Leyden, MA 01337
413-773-8325
laurat-at-crocker.com
Back to the Farm
May Photos

Still a few shares left...

2011-03-23T04:34:00.000-07:00

I have been selling shares to former members and to some new folks. Welcome to the farm, new members! Welcome back, you others! (I was going to say "old folks" but that's not right...)

If you are still considering a share, here is the basic information:

DISTRIBUTION DAY:
Thursday afternoon - early evening (before dark) at the farm. (No delivery this year.)

Shares include pick-your-own snap peas, snow peas, cherry tomatoes and some flowers. These will be marked in the garden so you know what's what.

PRICES:
Prices for 2011 are the same as 2010! Full and Half Shares are on a sliding scale.
Full Shares: $600.00 to $675.00, 20 -24 weeks, depending on the weather, starts mid to late May
Half Shares: $300.00 to $350.00, 20 -24 weeks, depending on the weather, starts mid to late May
Mini Shares: $100.00, 16 weeks, June 2 to September 15
PAYMENT:
Deposits of $100 for Full and Half Shares and $50 for Mini Shares are due by March 20. (Hmmmmm.... Today is March 23rd so I guess that now means, ASAP.) If you are able to make a larger payment on your share, that would be extremely helpful as most of my expenses for the farm are in February, March and April. For instance, I recently ordered $700 worth of seeds and plants and now I am building grow tunnel and need to buy potatoes and peach trees! All shares should be paid in full by June 1, 2010.

*****SEED MONEY - special thank you gift for payment in full by April 1.*****

Get in touch soon if you want a share. Only 1 1/2 shares left!
laurat-at-crocker.com

Timmerman Farm and CSA - 2011 Season

2011-02-21T17:23:00.000-08:00

February 21, 2011

Dear FRIENDS OF THE FARM - family, friends, former farm members, helpers and supporters far and wide, and people who have asked about the farm,

This is it! The start of the 2011 growing season and my fifth year as a farmer. Somehow, it still moves me to tears to contemplate the absolute pleasure of growing things. I guess it was meant to be and I am glad I finally figured out what I want to be when I grow up.

FARM NEWS:
Still small, and getting smaller. I decided to cut back this year on the number of shares I will be growing, just to give myself a bit of room to think and to work on farm projects such as perennial plantings for future harvests. (Think peaches, asparagus, currants, etc.) Last year the farm grew 7 1/2 shares. This year my limit is 5 shares.
The seeds are here and the onions, leeks and parsley are up and growing. Some broccoli and cabbage for an early harvest to be grown in a protective tunnel just came up today! Now to build the tunnel... My mind is buzzing with plans and layouts and seed planting schedules. And I am getting pretty darn excited about the winter squash and heirloom tomatoes coming our way. Is there such thing as a vegetable-aholic? I feel like I might be one.
WORKING AT THE FARM: I am delighted to announce that Sarah Brown-Anson will be farming part-time with me this season. Sarah is a college student and wonderful person and her presence and help will be a real boost at the farm.
WORKING MEMBER: I am interested in trading a share for work, so if that interests you, please be in touch. All farm members are encouraged to come help out during the season, if you wish. Your company is welcome.
The CHICKENS are laying really well and they seem happy to see some warmer, sunnier days. I almost always have eggs for sale and sometimes send out separate emails about eggs. If you want to be informed about egg availability, just let me know. $4.00 a dozen for large, organically grown eggs. In general, there are eggs available all the time but call or email to be sure. I now have 24 hens and new chicks will be arriving in early May.

2011 FARM SHARES

NOW is the time to let me know if you are interested in getting a farm share this year. Since I am offering fewer shares than last year, and there are new people who have expressed an interest, please sign up as soon as you can. This year I will be trying out a few changes in how the farm operates (see below) and some things will stay the same.

If you are new to the farm, the way it works is that each farm member household gets a share of the harvest each week consisting of freshly picked, organically grown produce and a bouquet of cheery flowers. Farm members pay in advance for their share, which helps cover the expenses of growing our food and flowers. We all share in the bounty and the variety of the harvest. I like to grow a wide variety of vegetables and every year some crops do very well and others may not. It's all determined by Mother Nature and the effort and growing skill of your farmer. Rest assured, there is always plenty of really wonderful food for us all. The earth is generous.

Like last year, there will be FULL, HALF and MINI SHARES. I hope to begin picking for the FULL and HALF shares in mid to late May and run for 20 - 24 weeks. The early and late season shares tend to be smaller than the mid season pickings, and the contents of your share will vary, depending on what is ready to pick. Most weeks you will get some kind of salad greens, (head lettuce, mesclun, etc.) and some kind of greens for cooking (chard, kale, collards, etc.), plus several other items.

You can see pictures of the shares at the CSA blog:
http://lastingimpressionscsa.blogspot.com/
The blog has links to general farm news and recipes, as well.

Every household varies in the amount of vegetables they like to eat and/or put up but I think of the Full Share as being about right for 3 - 4 adult appetites and the Half Share as suitable for 2 - 3 people. Mini Shares are for supplementing your own garden or just getting a taste of fresh greenery without making a huge commitment to cooking lots of vegetables. MINI shares will start June 2 and end September 15. Each week I will let you know what items are likely to be in the mini shares and you can let me know what you prefer, if you wish. Or let me choose for you.

PRICES:
Prices for 2011 are the same as 2010! Full and Half Shares are on a sliding scale.
Full Shares: $600.00 to $675.00
Half Shares: $300.00 to $350.00
Mini Shares: $100.00
PAYMENT:
Deposits of $100 for Full and Half Shares and $50 for Mini Shares are due by March 20. If you are able to make a larger payment on your share, that would be extremely helpful as most of my expenses for the farm are this month. For instance, I recently ordered $700 worth of seeds and plants! All shares should be paid in full by June 1, 2010.

*****SEED MONEY - special thank you gift for payment in full by April 1.*****

CHANGES:

DISTRIBUTION:
In the past I have offered delivery in Leyden. This year all shares need to be PICKED UP. Delivery is fun but it takes me about 2 hours each week to make the rounds. This year I want to use that time in other ways. Another change is the distribution day. Shares will be ready for pick up on THURSDAYS, 12:00 - 7:00. My plan is to refrigerate the shares so they will stay fresh. Hopefully, Thursdays will work for everyone. If it is a problem, talk to me. We can figure something out.

FLOWERS:
I am trying something a little different with flowers this year, as well. When you come to pick up your share, there will be jars of flowers ready to be selected. Each person can then choose their own flowers and do their own flower arranging, either right at the farm or at home. I plan on having some extra flowers available for pick your own, as well. This again, is mostly a way for me to save some time and energy with the added benefit that you will be able to select the colors and kinds of flowers you want.

PICK YOUR OWN:
There will be a section of the garden devoted to pick-your-own crops this year. They will include snow peas, snap peas, cherry tomatoes and flowers, maybe more. So if you have some extra time, and want extra vegetables and flowers, be my guest.

Remember, some things are the SAME:
PRICES AND SIZES - Same as 2010
DELICIOUS ORGANIC FOOD AND BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS

Thank you for all your interest and support for the farm. I feel extraordinarily lucky to be doing this.
Peace and joy to you all,
Laura

Laura Timmerman
910 Greenfield Rd
Leyden, MA 01337
413-773-8325
laurat@crocker.com
http://lastingimpressionscsa.blogspot.com/

2011

2011-02-18T05:15:00.000-08:00

GOLLY!

I really didn't do much posting last season. Let's put it down to general farmer overload and move onward. In 2011 I will try to use this blog to communicate more often, especially about what to expect in your share each week and what actually was picked. (These categories overlap but are not always the same. Typically, the actual share contains a few surprises.)

I have to admit that the 2010 season was a bit tough. Mostly it was the lack of rain that then became the entire lack of water. Six weeks without water coming into the house except via a garden hose from my neighbors (thank you, thank you, thank you!) was just a long time to not have something so essential to life, let alone needed for the garden. I am so grateful the water came back. Wonderful.

Okay, so this post is sort of looking forward by first looking backward. Next post: Information about the 2011 shares.

Here are some pictures of some of the shares and bouquets from 2010. Isn't it amazing how beautiful and plentiful the earth is, even when it doesn't rain for weeks on end? That bounty, and the encouragement of my friends and family, are what keeps me happy and eager to get growing.

Mini Share - mesclun and tomatoes

Mid-season Half Share (those are crabapples in the basket)

Early bouquets, lots of Sweet William

Mini Share

Full Share

Full Share

Full Share

Mini Bouquet

FARM WEEK # 4 - Wednesday, June 16, 2010 and Friday, June 18, 2010

2010-06-14T06:30:00.000-07:00

June 14, 2010

FULL SHARES:
garlic scapes
mesclun
pea shoots (I never ate mine. Here is another chance.)
head lettuce
greens - 1 or 2 of these, let me know if you have a preference: kale, collards, mustard, spinach, lamb's quarters
thinnings - 1 or 2 of these: chard, beets, kale, collards
turnips
parsley
radishes
broccoli? I have just a few of these from plants given to me by a gardening friend.
bouquet

HALF SHARES:
Similar to Full Shares but lesser amounts. Probably no radishes, maybe no turnips, definitely no broccoli.

MINI SHARE CHOICES:
some kind of green or thinning (see above)
mesclun
garlic scapes
radishes

FARM NEWS:
Bugs! Weeds! Woodchucks! Yikes!

Well, I am eating as many of the weeds as I can. And remembering that they also attract pollinators and hide the vegetables from predators. But I do see a bunch of weeding and mulching time in my future. The woodchucks are the biggest challenge at the moment. Last night I covered up all the beautiful kale and collard plants. I do not want to share with the woodchuck(s)! I also transplanted 126 kale and collard plants to the field. I find that having each vegetable planted in more than one location is good insurance. Keep your fingers crossed. If you are visiting the farm and want to bring your dog, on a lease, please do! The smell of a dog is another good deterrent.

The plants are looking pretty lush. There is chickweed growing in some of the paths and when I walk on it I can actually hear a watery, squishy sound. Lots of rain lately! The lettuce is especially tender and delicate. I transplanted some head lettuce seedlings to the bed nearest the screen house. So when you are picking up your share, you can observe their growth. So far, so good.

Most of the seedlings are now in the ground. The rest (basil and flowers) should be out in the next two days. Soybeans, shell beans and storage potatoes are planted. The hop vine is now a foot above my head and the young kolrabis are about the size of a golf ball. Strange as it may sound, it's time to plant for the fall - rutabagas, broccoli, cauliflower, daikon radishes, carrots, beets, etc.

WORKING AT THE FARM
There is no work requirement at our little farm but I do welcome visitors. Mostly I am here gardening on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with picking happening on Wed. and Fri. mornings. You are welcome to visit or help with picking, weeding, mulching, planting, etc. There are plenty of choices. This coming weekend I am actually taking the weekend off to spend time with both my sons and Dan's girlfriend, who will all be visiting at the same time.

But ask me another time, I will probably say "yes, thank you!"

COOKING:

We have a lot of lamb's quarters popping up all over the place. I look on this as free food and find it to be just as delicious as spinach. I won't be inundating the shares with "weeds" but if you like them, let me know and I'll bear that in mind. I checked online to make sure that the flower buds are edible, and they are. In fact there are recipes that feature the buds. ( http://www.examiner.com/x-4059-Chicago-Mexican-Food-Examiner~y2009m3d30-Huazontles-capeados-fried-lambs-quarters-in-preparation-for-Holy-Week)

Some lambs quarters information and recipes for the leaves:
http://www.eatlocalchallenge.com/2006/05/lambs_quarters.html
http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/surprising-lambs-quarters/

Interesting Egg Video:
http://www.hertzmann.com/techniques/index.php?Egg-cetera

I will be posting pictures of last week's shares and the garden at our csa blog later today.

Thanks for your support,
Laura

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

FARM WEEK # 3 - Wednesday, June 9, 2010 and Friday, June 11, 2010

2010-06-08T03:56:00.000-07:00

RADISHES AND TURNIPS

June 7, 2010
Good morning, good people,

I feel like I am hitting my stride here on picking for the shares. Mostly I need to be well prepared ahead of the day so I can get picking by 6:00. This Thursday I plan on making a smoothie so that Friday includes me having food before 4:00 pm. Learning every day.

FARM NEWS
Still busy planting, both seeds and seedlings. But I am getting very close to being done with the main planting. Then it will be time for the next round of re-plantings! It is totally gorgeous outside today. I look forward to setting out the okra and sweet potatoes and the last of the peppers and eggplants tomorrow. I still need to plant cucumbers and pumpkins.

Everything is growing well. The combination of rain and sunshine is working. The tomato plants are getting huge and dark green already. Rob planted some hop vines this year and the tallest one is up to my chin! And that was yesterday; it's probably bigger today. Seriously.

There will be a delay on CILANTRO this year as it turned out that my seed was not viable. I have more seed and will be planting a bunch but there will be none for the early summer. Also, my RHUBARB patch needs a rest this year so there will be no more picked for the shares. I plan on doing a major re-haul of the area, weeding, dividing, and fertilizing. Maybe even getting more plants.

HEALTH AND SAFETY
I want to remind you all to wash your vegetables. Even if I do wash things, which doesn't always happen, I am only rinsing off the larger bits of earth. It's your job to make sure your food is table ready. One reason I do it this way is that then there is another pair of eyes checking for twigs and other non-food items as well as unintentional ingredients in the salad mix. I am very careful while I pick. When I rinse I check again. Then you folks can recheck for odd items. There are a lot of kinds of leaves in the salad mix, including some "weeds" like chickweed and purslane. If you have doubts, set it aside and ask me about it.

I also try to maintain very clean picking and sorting areas for the shares. I use particular sanitized containers for picking and washing and I am vigilant about hand washing. I process everything in the kitchen, which is just an ordinary household kitchen that I am asking to do very heavy work. Each year I figure out ways to make the process smoother, quicker and safer. I welcome your suggestions.

THIS WEEK'S SHARES
Note: One thing I figured out last week is that the descriptions of the upcoming shares need to refer to the Wed. and Fri. of this week. It's not practical to guess what will be in the pick up shares a week from Wed. So this email is referring to Wednesday, June 9 and Friday, June 11. I ended up starting the mini shares this past Wednesday anyway, since there was so much ready in the garden.

On picking days, I usually send a quick email when the pick up shares are out in the screen house. Wednesday shares should be ready by 11 and Friday's by 12. Feel free to call. 773-8325

COOKING
Hakurei Turnips
Here are few web sites I found related to the sweet white turnips that the garden is producing now. At my house, I can't seem to get them as far as a cooking pot. I just eat them raw.

http://kitchen-parade-veggieventure.blogspot.com/2006/10/salad-with-japanese-turnip.html
http://www.gfzing.com/?p=191
http://veggieproject.blogspot.com/2008/07/curried-hakurei-turnips_01.html
(describes them as the "Hello Kitty of turnips")
http://www.abushelofwhat.com/2009/06/hakurei-turnip.html
(from Easthampton, MA)

MINI-SHARE CHOICES:
head lettuce - These are looking so beautiful!
mesclun
turnips with their tops
lamb's quarters

FULL SHARES:
herb bundle
turnips with tops
spinach
head lettuce
mesclun - new in the mix is purslane (fat and juicy leaves) and borage (fuzzy leaves that smell like cukes)
radishes
lamb's quarters
kale? a bit - it looks so pretty and close to being ready.
mixed mustard greens - kind of spicy but great for soup or stirfry
bouquet featuring Sweet William

HALF SHARES:
smaller amounts of the same items as the full shares but no kale or mustard greens

MORE SHARES
I have more shares available for sale if someone asks you about your CSA.

Have a great week,
Laura

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

SWEET WILLIAMS

June 4, 2010 Delivery and Pick up

2010-06-05T04:44:00.000-07:00

Hello Friday people,

Picking and delivery went fine today but took a long time. It's 4:00 and I am all done except for uploading pictures and cleaning up the kitchen. Plus I am now preparing my first meal of the day. SO, I need to work on my systems a bit. I miss my glorious farm intern, Heather, of course. And I am still working on the set up for this year. A fun, but long, day.

Please remember to save and return all your containers and bags. That is very helpful to the farm.

I skipped the lamb's quarters this time because there seemed to be more than enough without it.
Enjoy your vegetables!
Laura

Approximate quantities.

Full Shares:
White Turnips 14-15
Turnip Greens 1 lb. 4 oz
Spinach 2 lb.
Mesclun 1 lb.
Head lettuce 2 big, 2 little
Radishes 2 bunches
Arugula 8 oz
Bouquet

Half Shares:
White Turnips 7 -8
Turnip Greens 1 lb.
Spinach 10 oz.
Mesclun 8 0z.
Head lettuce 1 big, 1little
Radishes 1 bunch
Arugula 2 oz
Bouquet

Mini Shares:
Mesclun 8 oz
Turnip Greens 1 Lb or Radishes 1 bunch
small bouquet

FARM WEEK # 2 (MINI SHARES Starting!) June 4, 2010 Delivery and June 4, 7 and 9, 2010 Pick Up

2010-06-01T03:56:00.000-07:00

Happy Memorial Day, everybody! What a beautiful day.

I spent the entire day in the garden planting and digging and weeding and watering. It felt great and it is great to be making progress.

FARM NEWS

The pole beans are in (32 teepees) and I planted 50 more feet of bush beans, purple and yellow. Other recent planting includes: hot and sweet peppers, and lots of winter squash. The earliest peas are starting to bloom. The potatoes are growing very quickly, one foot tall in a week! The head lettuce looks beautiful, full and tender. The kolrabi are swelling and the fava beans are making buds. In one week I have gone from anxiety about maybe not having enough, to having way too much lettuce. The 2 days of high heat last week made some plants start to bolt, including some of the spinach, arugula and radishes. Fortunately, we have lots more of all of these. The big storm on Wednesday night damaged our extra tomatoes in the field. The wind ripped the plastic mulch right out of the ground, pulling out and breaking over half the plants. I am so glad that we have 50 more plants up near the house that look happy, settled in and green. Phew!

The biggest news is that the MINI SHARES will be starting on Friday. Depending on what day you chose for pick up, that means your share will start either June 4, June 6 or June 8. I will be out in the garden picking by 6:00 AM. The shares should be out at the screen house in coolers, ready for pick up by 10:30 on Monday and Wednesday or 12:00 on Friday. If you have a preference for your MINI and let me know which items you would like before 6:00 AM on your picking day, I will accomodate that. Otherwise, it will be farmer's choice.

MINI SHARE ITEMS - Pick two

Mesclun
Radishes
Turnips or Turnip greens
Arugula

THIS WEEK'S FULL SHARE (Quantity estimates are for the full shares. Half is less. Just estimates, of course.)

White Turnips with their tops (6-12) (I like to eat the turnips raw.)
Turnip Greens? (I think these will still need thinning.)
Spinach (1/2 - 1 pound)
Lamb's Quarters (1/2 - 1 pound) These are so yummy. Just as nice as spinach. When you get them, the stems may seem tough but once they are cooked, they become completely tender.
Mesclun (6 - 12 ounces)
Head Lettuce 1 - 3
Radishes (20 - 40) There are many radishes ready and they don't hold well in the field.
Arugula (6 - 8 ounces)
Bouquet - Peonies, Iris, Snapdragons, Sweet William, Lady's Rocket, whatever is ready.

What's in the MESCLUN these days:
Many leaf lettuces, Chickweed, Red Russian Kale, White Russian Kale, Collards, Wrinkled Crinkled Cress, Ruby Streaks Mustard, Golden Frills Mustard, Red Garnet Mustard, Red Komatsuma, Mizuna, Spinach, Johnny Jump Up flowers, Nasturium leaves, baby Chicory leaves, Purslane, Lemon Gem Marigold flowers

TURNIP GREENS are one of the most nutritious greens you can eat. They are packed with vitamins and minerals. AND they taste great. AND there is even a song about eating them.

We have lots of LETTUCE these days. If it's too much for salad, try cooking your mesclun mix in a stir fry or adding chopped lettuce to soup.

Anybody know a recipe that uses LOTS of RADISHES? And remember, radish tops are edible so you can add them to soup or cook with other milder greens.

EGGS
The hens are laying nicely. I can add eggs to your share any time you want them. Just let me know ahead of time. They are $4.00 a dozen. You can just leave the money in your cooler (or mine, if you are picking up).

That's all for now. Thanks for being part of the farm and helping me live my dream.
Laura

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

First Farm Share of 2010 - May 27 & 28, 2010

2010-06-01T03:45:00.000-07:00

(We had a big storm here this past week. Power was out for 2 days. Trees down all over the place. Many towns, including ours were declared disaster zones. So picking and delivery was delayed until Saturday when everyone's refrigerator was really empty after no electricity for 2 days. One share was delivered on Friday to some people with a generator.)

Good morning!

It sure looks like a beautiful day after some unusual weather this past week! I am setting out the sweet peppers today and imagining all those tasty flavors and pretty colors.

We all got through the storm and the power outage. After that, the first delivery went very smoothly. Thank you everyone for your cooperation and patience with the changing schedule.

THIS WEEK'S DELIVERY:
The full and half shares were pretty much what I had expected, with the addition of some Buttercrunch head lettuce and a little bundle of herbs - apple mint, spearmint and sweet cicely. The sweet cicely seed pods are an ephemeral item in the garden, lasting just a few days. They are for chewing on and taste like licorice. Most folks spit out the rough fiber but it's perfectly edible.

SHARE # 1 (amounts are approximate. Full - Half)
mesclun 12 oz - 8 0z
arugula 10 oz - 7 oz
radishes 2 bunches - 1 bunch
pea shoots 1 # - 6 oz
rhubarb 1 1/4 # - 1 #
Chinese cabbage 13 -7
head lettuce 2 - 1
turnip thinnings 13 oz - 0
herb bouquet - apple and spearmint, sweet cicely
bouquet 1 - 1

Pictures of share # 1:

RECIPES:
Let me know what you think of the pea shoots and if you discover any good recipes for the farm, please send them. You can check for other recipes at the farm blog.

PICK YOUR OWN - through Monday.
I have lots of Leaf Lettuce, Radishes and Turnip Greens for the picking. If you want more, come on by and pick some. I'll be here Sunday morning and evening and all day on Monday.

EGGS
I keep forgetting to tell you that I will happily add eggs to your share any time you need them. Just let me know ahead of time. They are $4.00 a dozen. You can just leave the money in your cooler (or mine, if you are picking up).

Have a good holiday,
Laura

FARM WEEK # 1 - Friday, May 28, 2010 - Full and Half Shares Starting!

2010-05-24T09:23:00.001-07:00

Hello people!

Well, it's happening! The first picking for the shares will be this Friday, May 28. It will just be for the Full and Half Shares this week. Next Friday will begin the Mini Shares. Most likely I will be delivering by 12:30 or 1:00. You can help by having your cooler and extra containers ready and waiting.

I am pretty excited.

I picked 8 pounds of salad greens last Friday for the wedding of some dear friends. It served well as a warm-up picking for the shares. Little details were dealt with like tracking down my picking containers and special food-only scissors and just remembering how to clean a large quantity of greens. It also served as confidence builder. There is food out there in the garden, you just have to pick it.

THIS WEEK'S SHARES (full and half sized only)
mesclun
spinach or spinach in the mesclun — this depends on how quickly it grows this week
arugula
radishes
pea shoots
rhubarb
dwarf bok choy or Chinese cabbage — these are small but starting to bolt so we may as well eat them.
bouquet
(The turnips need thinning. The leaves are about 4 inches long. If you want some thinnings, let me know. Otherwise, the chicks and I will eat them.)

COOKING IDEAS:
pea shoots
http://blogs.kqed.org/bayareabites/2009/02/12/i-heart-pea-shoots/

http://gardening.about.com/od/vegetables/qt/Pea-Shoots-Tendrils.htm
All parts of the pea plant are edible. You can harvest and eat the shoots, leaves and tendrils as well as any flowers or buds that may have formed.

GARDEN NEWS:
Head lettuce and white turnips forming up nicely. The TOMATO and tomatillo plants are in the ground. 32 hills of 16 varieties of winter squash have been planted. The potatoes are up and looking stout. This week I am planting lots of BEANS - green, lima, shell and soy beans as well as cucumbers and more summer squash. Next weekend I'll be setting out peppers, eggplant, and okra. The NEW FIELD looks great and it's lovely to work down there with the sound of all the birds and the view of the pond across the road. I'll be home planting on Memorial Day if anyone wants to stop by for a tour or to help with the planting. The CHICKS are getting quite big. They have all their feathers now and I plan on letting them into their yard this week. The IRISES and PEONIES are starting to bloom and the new cut flower garden is getting filled. It is going to be glorious. The May Flies and Deer Flies have arrived. There's a GARTER SNAKE guarding the door to the chicken coop, keeping the rodents away from the grain. WEEDS are growing, some welcome and some not. Rob and I enjoy eating Stinging Nettles and Lamb's Quarters. It's a busy time.

See you soon!
Laura

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

FARM NEWS - May 18, 2010

2010-05-18T06:31:00.001-07:00

May 18, 2010
Hello folks,

Not much news here this week but I am checking in just to establish a routine of connecting more often with you all. I have mostly been planting. The first beans and summer squash are in! This year I am trying a variety of bean called Empress. Seeds of Change catalog describes it thus: "Incredible flavor. Our very best snap bean for fresh eating, freezing or processing. A true work-horse!" Sounds good to me. I hope to make some Dilly Beans this year and also put some in the freezer for the winter. This is just one of many kinds of beans being grown this year. Yay!

I have planted some broccoli, cabbage and oats in the new field area. It was very exciting to start planting an entirely new garden. I also started moving perennial flowers such as Yarrow and Sweet William to the cut flower garden and it is starting to take shape. There is so much to do right now my head is in a happy whirl.

I bumped into this helpful web site that addresses the question of what to do with all those vegetables in your CSA share. It seems helpful to me.
http://www.seriouseats.com/2010/05/10-secrets-tips-for-making-the-most-of-your-csa.html

Also found this article about CSF (Community Supported Fisheries) very interesting. It makes me wish I lived closer to the ocean. http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/food/articles/2009/03/18/economy_of_scales/?page=1

The pea shoots look almost ready to pick so you can start looking at recipes for stir fry. The first planting of arugula is beautiful (and bug free, thanks to its cover!).

I am happily planting but am willing to share the joy of gardening. If any of you have the urge to stick seeds or plants in the ground, let me know. I am sure I can find something for you to do!

The shares will be starting soon!

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

May Flowers

2010-05-14T10:14:00.000-07:00

The shares have not started yet but if they had, the bouquets would be something like this.

FARM NEWS - May 10, 2010

2010-05-12T10:17:00.000-07:00

Hello to all you 2010 Farm Members! Welcome!

(This is a long message with details about getting started up for the season. Other messages will not be so long.)

FARM NEWS
I have been planting and planting every chance I get. Things are on schedule for planting so let's hope they will be on schedule for harvesting and eating! It's been such a beautiful spring. So sunny, and right now at the farm, the air smells lovely, full of lilac blossoms. It's a beautiful world.

The soil was dry so I am very grateful that Mother Nature will gave the garden a good soaking rain this past weekend. Thanks to farm member Doug Pratt I now have water pressure which makes the watering a lot less time consuming and a whole lot more satisfying. And many thanks to my son Rob for all the tilling, mowing and vine support building that beens happening around here lately. It looks good!

This is a time of year when I generally feel a bit of anxiety. There is lots planted but the plants look tiny and I worry about having enough for the shares. BUT, every year there is enough. It's just that plant growth really takes off in May. For instance the pea shoots are twice as big as they were a few days ago and the baby leaf lettuce has been picked three times for my dinner but the plants are so thick, you can't tell at all. I also peeked under their protective cover and the first arugula is getting quite big. *So never fear, we will have plenty for all.* I think my nervousness is a symptom of being a new farmer. In a few more years, I'll be more confident.

For recent PICTURES around the farm:

EARLY SHARES & CROPS
At this point I expect the earliest shares to include mesclun, pea shoots (for stir fry), white turnips, baby spinach, and radishes. Coming soon after will be garden peas, snow peas, carrots, baby spinach, head lettuce, and kohlrabi. This year I managed to plant potatoes, parsnips, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage. And I have planted more fava beans and peas than in previous years. We have okra, pea shoots, Chinese broccoli, and pak choy for new items. So you can start thinking about recipes and feel free to ask about any vegetables. I hope to grow some sweet potatoes as an experiment this year. I am always open to trying out new crops. This is your farm. Let me know what you would like to see in the shares.

This week I am preparing the ground for beans, squash and tomatoes, transplanting flowers into the cutting garden, and planting Swiss chard and radicchio.

PREPPING FOR THE SHARES
It's time to start thinking about your share.
If you are picking up your share, make sure I know which day you plan to do so - Monday, Wednesday or Friday.

WHEN DO THE SHARES START?
Full and Half Shares will start on Friday, May 28. Mini-Shares will start on Friday, June 4.

RE-THINKING YOUR COOKING:
Some of you farm members are old hands at this, but for new members, here is something to think about. Often, a person will think of what they want to eat and cook, go to the store, buy the ingredients and make their food. Or perhaps, they go to the store, see what is looking good, buy that and plan their meals from what they bought. (These items may have come from all over the world but they are in season somewhere.) With a CSA membership, we are all more closely tied to the growing season right here in Franklin County, MA. Each crop is ready at a particular time. Some, like pumpkins and peppers, take most of the season to grow and be ready; some, like spinach and peas, only like to grow in the coolness of spring and late fall; some can be replanted and harvested all season long. And then there is the weather! Cold rain can slow maturity, which sometimes means waiting for a crop to be ready and sometimes means a particular crop is available for a longer time and then bolts when the hot weather arrives. Hail can make holes in beautiful chard leaves just before they are ready. Or the weather can be just right for a bumper crop of tomatoes! Things vary every year. (Oh yes, and then there are insects and larger predators...)

This variation makes each season special. (Last year was marked by lots of rain and the terrible Late Blight on the potatoes and tomatoes, sharply reducing the harvest on those crops.) Every year there are some crops that do Really Well and are a source of delight.

So what happens in a CSA is that I work hard planting and tending those crops, Mother Nature does whatever she will, I pick what is ready as it is ready and give it to you and THEN you get to figure out what to make for dinner! It's actually fun, as well a delicious. I hope you enjoy it as well.

COMMUNICATION:
Each week I'll be sending out an email on Monday morning with a bit of news and a list of what will most likely be in the shares that "farm week". (I count the start of the farm week with the Friday delivery - Don't worry I'll label the email.) Nature sometimes has other ideas about it but usually I can make a close guess as to what will be ready. The most common surprise is that something is ready sooner than I expected. For the mini shares, I will include a list of what is available for minis that week. If you have a preference, email me before your picking day. I can usually accommodate your requests. If I don't hear from you, I'll just give you the "farmer's choice".

This email marks the first of these Monday morning emails, just to get us all in the habit.

EGGS: The hens are laying well. Eggs are available most every day. You can call or email. I also maintain a separate email list for eggs. Let me know if you want to be on that. It happens about 2-3 times a month, only when the supply is accumulating. If you would like eggs added to your share on any given week, let me know. They are $4.00 a dozen and like everything else at the farm, raised organically but not certified. The baby chicks have arrived and are happily peeping and growing. You can see photos at the facebook link.

CONTAINERS:
If you are picking up your share, you can gather together or make a couple of large bags or boxes to use for your share. I will exchange them each week. I will keep track of your containers, if you label them.

If your share is being delivered, make sure you have a large cooler, preferably with cold packs, that can left in a safe and convenient spot. I will be delivering on Fridays, usually in the early afternoon. (11 - 3)

For all of you: I can use help gathering containers and packaging for the shares. These are all useful:
Large paper bags
Large plastic containers with lids (The ones that hold 1 pound of greens are a good size.)
Clean and dry produce bags from organic produce
Small glass jars for the mini bouquets - ones with a narrow opening, like olive jars or jelly jars.
Quart sized canning jars for the larger bouquets.
Large (2-4 gallon) heavy food grade plastic bags, big enough for greens. These get washed and reused.
Cardboard egg cartons

PAYMENT: Everybody has been really timely and reliable about paying their deposits or more. Thanks! Final payments are due by July 1, 2010.
Mini Shares: $100 (plus $25, if delivered)
Half Shares: sliding scale, $300.00 to $350.00
Full Shares: sliding scale, $600.00 to $675.00

Well, that's all I can think of to tell you. I will make an effort to keep future emails short.
Thank you for being part of the farm!
Laura

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

Honeymoon Salad

2010-04-03T09:57:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I planted a garden bed of leaf lettuce. 125 feet of various lettuces - green, red, splotched, curly, oakleaf, frizzy - just a whole mess of lettuce. The reason? I want to be sure to have plenty of lettuce in late May for the wedding reception of two of my dear friends. So the Marriage Bed has been planted with seeds of lettuce and seeds of joy.

Honeymoon Salad? That's lettuce alone.

BEING PATIENT and rambling.

2010-03-27T15:23:00.000-07:00

Today there's a lot of waiting involve in my gardening. Currently I am waiting for seeds to come up, especially the peppers and eggplant which always take a while. I am waiting for the earth to dry up a bit so it's safe to work the soil without damaging its structure. I am waiting for the soil to be a bit warmer for some crops. I am waiting for my headache to go away so I can prune and prep the garden beds for the early crops. I am waiting for the new baby chicks to arrive. They are scheduled to arrive at the end of April. I have been reading about gardening according to the phase of the moon and experimenting with it a bit. I am supposed to wait until the 28th to plant the basil and marigolds so tomorrow I can do some more planting inside.

In the meantime there is plenty to do. I planted moonflowers today, one of my favorite fun flowers. It's basically a giant morning glory whose flower is about 6 or 7 inches across. The blossoms open in the evening and have a beautiful aroma. I always imagine that there might be an interesting moth that pollinates them in warmer climates where they are perennials.

It's pleasant here. Peaceful. And sweet relief to see the earth again. The snow melted more quickly than I have ever seen it happen. 5 days from a completely white winter landscape to spring! This afternoon the chickens have been entertaining me with their exploits. They wandered as far as the woods at one point. Later they came around the house to the front yard so I fed them rolled oats from the front step. And then I saw a few hens in the new flower garden in the company of about 20 robins. The chickens kept eyeballing the robins curiously and walking towards them. I wonder if the hens thought they might be chicks?

This post is more rambly than usual. Seems to be what my head needs, a bit of drifting and noticing the beautiful world.

A few shares available

2010-03-05T07:48:00.000-08:00

Hi folks, Shares have been selling easily, without much effort on my part, (perfect!), but there are about 2 more shares available. If you are interested in a share, let me know soon! When I say 2 more shares, I mean the equivalent of 2 full shares so that can be a combination of full, half and mini shares.

My planting is based on the number of shares I am growing. If fewer people sign up, then I will concentrate on more variety for the existing shares, more storage crops for me and for sale as Fall Storage Shares, and perhaps growing a few things for market.

I am starting to get excited about the new growing season, how about you?

2010 Farm Shares - The short story

2010-01-26T04:40:00.001-08:00

FARM SHARES ON SALE NOW

Timmerman Farm
910 Greenfield Rd
Leyden, MA 01337

Full Shares - ~24 weeks - $600.00 - $675.00
Half Shares - ~24 weeks - $300.00 - $350.00
Min Shares - 16 weeks - $100.00

Free delivery in Leyden for Full and Half Shares
$25.00 for delivery in Leyden for Mini Shares

Pick Up Days - Monday, Wednesday or Friday, your choice
Delivery Day - Friday

Deposits/First payments due March 20, 2010
Last payments due July 1, 2010

Contact Laura Timmerman for more information
laurat-at-crocker.com

Photo by Trish Crapo of Leyden, MA

CSA 2010 Membership Invitation

2010-01-24T13:33:00.000-08:00

Dear friends of the Timmerman Farm - former farm members, helpers, and people who have expressed an interest in becoming a member of our little farm,

I am delighted to be beginning my fourth season as an honest-to-goodness farmer. I love all aspects of the work and appreciate the interest and support of you all. Thank you!

FARM NEWS
Once again, I am keeping the farm pretty small. I am offering 8 shares this year, up from 6 last year. I want to keep things at a manageable level for a one-woman operation. With Heather and Robin's help last year, we opened up a lot more land for planting so I will be able to grow more variety for the shares and there should also be plenty of flowers as I have an entire new cut flower garden! I am psyched.
Now is the time for finalizing the layout and harvest goals for the shares and for ordering seed and supplies. I am most of the way there on these projects and looking forward to planting onions and leeks in the near future. I seem to be especially drawn to the heirloom tomatoes and winter squashes this time. But as you all know I have a thing for beans. I guess basically, there are a lot of vegetables in our future. Let's hope it's a good year for tomatoes!
The CHICKENS have been laying pretty well all winter. Production is down a bit lately but I still have several dozen eggs a week for sale. Mostly people just ask about them and they get sold so don't be shy about asking if you want some. When I have extra, I send out an EGG email, so let me know if you want to be on that list. We will be getting more chicks in April to refresh the flock. So far, although I have eggs, they are not available on a consistent enough basis to add them to the shares. But anytime you want eggs added to your share, just let me know. They are $4.00 a dozen for non-certified but organically grown eggs.
WORKING AT THE FARM is encouraged. I hope to set up a few specific member work days during the season and perhaps a Farm Member Picnic, if there is interest. My thought about working is that your help and company of course is great, but even more important is getting a sense of what's happening in our little piece of the earth. Working is totally optional, but if it interests you, you are welcome in the garden.

2010 FARM SHARES

NOW is the time to let me know if you are interested in getting a farm share this year. Since I am only increasing by two shares and since more and more folks have been asking about the farm, please sign up as soon as you can. Notice of the farm shares will be in the February Leyden newsletter so the word is spreading... PAYMENT: Deposits of $100 for Full and Half Shares and $50 for Mini Shares are due by March 20. If you are able to make a larger payment on your share, that would be extremely helpful as most of my expenses for the farm are this month. All shares should be paid in full by July 1, 2010.

Like last year, there will be FULL, HALF and MINI SHARES. There will also be a very informal share I am calling the PLAY IN THE DIRT SHARE. I hope to start delivering Full and Half Shares on May 21 and have them last for 24 weeks, until October 29. Mini Shares should be ready to start June 4 and run for 16 weeks. It's possible that the larger shares will start and/or end earlier, it just depends on the weather. The prices are slightly higher than last year but in the same range. Mini Shares are the same price but this year delivery on Minis is optional and extra. So if you decide to pick up your mini share it will cost the same as 2009.

PICK-UP and DELIVERY: This year I want to try picking on three days instead of two. That means you have the option of picking up your share on Monday, Wednesday or Friday. Delivery is offered on Fridays only and in Leyden only. So you can choose the day that works in your schedule the best. Each day I pick, the shares will be ready in coolers in the screen house here at the farm by late morning. I will deliver on Fridays around 12 - 2 and if you are not home, the share can go into a cooler in a safe and shady spot at your house.

You can see pictures of the shares at the CSA blog:
http://lastingimpressionscsa.blogspot.com/2010/01/fresh-start-2009-in-pictures.html

Each person/household has different vegetable needs but this is how I describe the shares:

The FULL SHARES are intended to feed households of 2 adults plus 1-3 young people or something like that, with extras to put up or store for the winter if available. Includes a bouquet each week. 2010 price: $600.00 to $675.00.

HALF SHARES are basically half a Full Share and should be enough fresh eating for 2 adults, with extras for putting by as available. Includes a bouquet. You have the option of getting a full sized share every other week or a half sized one every week. 2010 price: $300.00 to $350.00.

MINI SHARES are essentially just a taste of fresh local foods. Not too much to deal with but fun to have. Usually you will get two items each week, usually lettuce or mesclun plus one other item. Each week I will let you know what items are likely to be in the mini shares and you can let me know what you prefer, if you wish. Or let me choose for you. Flowers or eggs may be substituted for one item, if they are available. Includes a mini bouquet each week. 2010 price $100.00 if picked up at the farm, $125.00 if delivered in Leyden.

PLAYING IN THE DIRT SHARE: This is my new idea for 2010. This is for people who wish they could have a garden but can't or want to have a fun garden time with their child or a young friend, or who just like to play in the dirt. Just let me know when you would like to come by for an hour or two, I'll give you some garden tasks like weeding or mulching or picking or whatever and you can go home with some vegetables to eat or a bouquet of flowers. I'll here to guide you. Come once a season or every week or whenever the spirit moves you. This could fill a need for garden time for some people. FREE.

FALL SHARES: I hope to grow enough winter squash, potatoes, carrots and onions to be able to offer a one-time winter storage share. More on this as the season progresses...

Thank you for all your interest and support for the farm. I look forward to hearing from you and to growing us a lot of fine vegetables and fruit and flowers this year.
Blessings to you all,
Laura
laurat-at-crocker.com

A FRESH START & 2009 IN PICTURES

2010-01-24T08:46:00.001-08:00

Well I see that I really got behind last year on my CSA blog posting! It's been so long I forgot I messed up. That's sort of cool in a way.

Now it's a new year and time for me to get organized and ready to plant! And it's time for my lovely farm members and wannabe farm members to sign up for shares. I am only increasing the farm by two shares this year so folks should act quickly to sign up. Plus I need your deposits to buy seed and soil and supplies and amenities to grow all this glorious food for us all. I'll be posting soon about the details for this season but for now, here are some pictures from 2009 - almost all the shares from 23 weeks of shares (16 weeks of mini shares).

When I look at these pictures I am pleased with my efforts and the efforts of my various helpers, especially Heather, Robin, and Linda. The food looks good. And there is a lot of it. The flowers are beautiful.

BUT...I want to do even better. I love fresh greens and in January I am craving them but in 2010 I want the shares to have more tomatoes, sweet peppers, potatoes, broccoli and cauliflower, winter squash, beans, peas and just generally, more variety. I am trying to finish up my main seed order, which is very difficult, especially as the tomato sections of the catalogs keep pulling me in and forcing me to write down more and more varieties. And then I see that my seed needs list says to limit my new tomato varieties to 5 or less... That is a goal I will not be able to meet, for sure.

Ready to claim a share? Email me at laurat-at-crocker.com

Details about the shares will be posted soon. For now, here is 2009 IN PICTURES:

Last Full Share - October 23, 2009 - Week 23

Full Share 10/16/09

Full Share 10/9/09

Flowers 10/2/09

Full Share 10/2/09

late fall mesclun

Bouquets 9/25/09

Full Share 9/25/09

Full Share 9/18/09

Bouquets 9/11/09

Mini Share 9/11/09

Full Share 9/11/09

Full Share 9/4/09

Mini Share 9/4/09

Full Share 8/28/09 (+ extra flowers)

Full Share 8/21/09

Mini Share 8/21/09

Full Share 8/14/09

eggs

Prepping mesclun 8/10/09

Full Share 7/31/09

Mini Share 7/31/09

Mini Share 7/24/09

Full Share 7/24/09

Mini Bouquets 7/24/09

Bouquet 7/24/09

Mini Share 7/17/09

Full Share 7/17/09

Full Share 7/10/09

Mini Share 7/10/09

head lettuce, Heather, 7/10/09

Mini Share 7/3/09

Full Share 7/3/09

Edible Bouquet 7/3/09

Full Share 6/26/09

Mini Share 6/26/09

Mini Share 6/19/09

Bouquets 6/19/09

Full Share 6/19/09

Full Share 6/12/09

Mini Share 6/12/09

Full Share 6/5/09

Mini Share #1 - 6/5/09

3 full shares 5/29/09

prepping the shares 5/29/09

Full Share #1 - 5/22/09

TODAYS FARM SHARE # 9 - July 17, 2009 Delivery

2009-07-17T12:16:00.000-07:00

FULL SHARE - July 17, 2009

MINI SHARE - July 17, 2009

Picking and delivery was smooth and quick today. For a change we had to factor in sun and heat and I started picking lettuce at 5:30 so it wouldn't wilt. We were excited to pick the first fava beans and enough raspberries for the full shares and 1 mini-share. Heather hopes to post a video of how to prep your fava beans. They need shelling and the beans themselves need peeling as well. Check the recipe blog later this weekend for a tutorial and some cooking hints. http:/lastingimpressionsrecipes.blogspot.com/

Instead of mesclun we picked a mix of zippy tasting leaves and edible flowers to top off your salads or omelets or whatever you like. There was enough for all the shares.

SHARE # 9 - July 17 Delivery

FULL AND HALF SHARES:
snap peas
snow peas
head lettuce
salad toppings
chard or chicory
kale
Upland cress
fava beans
raspberries
onion thinnings
bouquet

MINI-SHARES
head lettuce
chard or raspberries
bouquet

Have a good weekend,
Laura

For more farm photos, go to my facebook album.

FARM SHARE # 9 - July 17 - Delivery and July 20 - Pickup

2009-07-17T12:14:00.000-07:00

Good morning, farm members,

FARM NEWS

Heather and I have been busy and happy farmers this week, weeding and planting and fertilizing. It is so good to see some order appearing in the garden. With all the rain, the weeds were trying hard to get the better of us but I *think* we are gaining control. The warm sun is making the plants grow, especially the tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, basil and squash. On Monday I had an odd experience while picking radishes; the sun was in my eyes! AND at last the flowers are reappearing. We've had some really pretty dahlias and the lilies are starting. AND (more good news!) my hip is feeling much better. I am not completely strong again but it is terrific to be able to pick, weed and plant. Phew.

This past week I have planted arugula, leaf lettuce, kale, collards, endive, radicchio, Chinese cabbage, pak choy, radishes, calendula, sunflowers, carrots, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower! Today I'll be planting mesclun, broccoli raab, and zinnias. This is my idea of fun.

Another fun thing around here is hunting for babies. Right now there are 6 kinds of beans with teeny tiny beans (less than 1/2 inch), baby carrots about 1/3 inch in diameter, 1 little hot pepper, lots of 1 - 2 inch green tomatoes, several golf ball sized pumpkins, and a 3 inch summer squash! All are very, very cute.

THANKS to all you folks for returning your jars, plastic bags and containers. They are so useful when we pack the shares. Right now we are sort of neck and neck. We seem to have just enough bags and containers to pack up the shares each time. That means it is especially good that you have been helping us to reuse them.

I happen to love gardening, and the sun has been so welcome that it's a real treat to get out and weed, etc. If you folks ever feel the urge to play in the dirt, your help and company are always welcome. There is no requirement here, it's just an option for those who enjoy this sort of thing and want to get closer to their vegetables. Most (but not all) Saturdays I am here in the garden. Picking early Friday mornings is another option. Just give me a call.

SHARE # 9 - July 17 Delivery and July 20 Pickup

FULL AND HALF SHARES:
peas - we are still getting snaps, snow and shell peas
head lettuce - lots - this needs to be harvested before it bolts.
mesclun?
greens - chard, kale or collards
Upland cress
arugula
fava beans?? these are SO close! Check the recipe blog. http:/lastingimpressionsrecipes.blogspot.com/
raspberries! I am pretty certain there will be enough for the full shares. We'll just have to see if there are any for the minis...
bouquet

MINI-SHARES - 2 of these
head lettuce
snap or snow peas
greens
(raspberries if there are enough)
bouquet

Enjoy your week,
Laura

SHARE # 8 - July 10 Delivery and July 13 Pickup

2009-07-17T12:12:00.000-07:00

Greetings folks,

Sorry to be a bit slow to write this week. Lots of party around here on Monday!

FARM NEWS

It is so nice to see the sunshine. I am really looking forward to weeding and planting. And to seeing some flowers bloom. Today when I toured the garden I saw several pole bean varieties in bloom, many dahlia buds showing color, and a pink raspberry! More good news: I seem to have at least discouraged the woodchucks through a combination of covering some crops (kale and chard), using hot pepper spray (dahlias) and setting out protective barriers of fox urine (tomatoes, peppers and eggplant). I really hope this keeps them at bay. The woodchucks did eat some of the kale so I need to let it recover a bit before harvesting a lot.

The peas continue to be productive and the lettuce hasn't bolted. Lots replanting happening this week - arugula, mesclun, kolrabi and more. My hip is steadily improving although I have to be very careful not to overdo. But it is delightful to be able to weed and pick. Heather has cheerfully taken on all the digging, rock hauling and straw bale lifting, etc. Thanks, Heather!

SHARE # 8 - July 10 Delivery and July 13 Pickup

FULL AND HALF SHARES:
peas
head lettuce
mesclun?
radishes
chard
kale?
dill
cilantro
wild flower bouquet?

MINI-SHARES - 2 of these
head lettuce
radishes
snap peas
greens?
wild flower bouquet?

Have a good rest of the week,
Laura

TODAYS FARM SHARE # 7 - July 3, 2009 Delivery

2009-07-03T11:09:00.001-07:00

EDIBLE BOUQUET - Includes sage, Sweet cicely leaves (tastes like anise), Johnny Jump Ups, Red Gem marigolds, spearmint
We meant to pick some daylilies to add as well but forgot. Oops. Daylilies are edible, use the flowers in salad and the pods in stirfry.

FULL SHARE # 7
1 3/4 # peas
3 oz snow peas
3 head lettuces
8 oz radishes
1 3/4 # turnips and greens
2 # Swiss chard
2 oz wild peppermint
1 bunch scallions
edible bouquet
(all weights are approximate)

MINI-SHARE

MINI-SHARE

MINI-SHARE

SHARE # 7 - July 3 Delivery and July 6 Pickup

2009-06-30T04:43:00.001-07:00

Good morning, farm members!

FARM NEWS

The growing season is rolling along in the garden. Last week Heather and I picked the first of the peas and we've started adding them to the shares. At the same time, we pulled the last of the spinach for now. There are lots of beautiful head lettuces getting bigger every day. It's a bit of a question for me. Which will happen first, the arrival of heat and potential bolting or the forming of full sized heads? Time will tell.

We currently have our eyes on:
many pea pods
small green raspberries
young squash plants
tomato flowers and tiny tomatoes
itty bitty carrots
dahlia buds
woodchucks! (I welcome your suggestions on these critters.)

So far the woodchuck damage has been small but they have a fondness for eating the flowers. The result is that many things that might be in bloom have been topped off and are now branching but not blooming. Bouquets are a bit questionable this week. On the other hand, the dahlias are just starting to bloom and once they get going we'll have lots of them. We just have to wait and see.

Each week I find that there are surprises in store in the garden. It's just impossible to tell what will be ready or not and what will be over, especially while looking ahead to the following Monday pick up day. I appreciate that you folks have been so flexible.

I am always interested in feedback about the shares. Farming is still so new to me. I know I will never stop learning things and there is so much I don't know. So let me know if there are ways the shares could improve and if there are things you especially appreciate.

Healthy eating,
Laura

SHARE # 7 - July 3 Delivery and July 6 Pickup

FULL AND HALF SHARES:
peas?
head lettuce
mesclun?
radishes
turnips?
chard or kale or collards, depending on what's ready that day
radish thinnings to add to your salads
wild peppermint - a very strong flavored mint, great for tea and chopped in tabouli
wild flower bouquet

MINI-SHARES - 2 of these
head lettuce
radishes?
peppermint (Let me know if this interests you or not.)
snap peas?
greens?

YESTERDAY'S DELIVERY - Friday, June 26, 2009

2009-06-27T03:54:00.000-07:00

Good morning, farm folks,

It's bright and sunny for the moment. What a treat!

Yesterday Heather and I did a fair amount of thinning/picking for the shares. We pulled most of the spinach and cut off the leaves for you to eat. Today we will be turning that bed and replanting with basil plants and broccoli seeds. The chard got one more thinning and most of the mini-shares got chard yesterday. The peas were just starting to be ready to pick so some shares got snap peas, some got snow peas and some also got shell peas. There are lots more on the way. We also did another thinning on collards and kale, leaving fewer plants to grow larger leaves. Happily, we found a few more garlic scapes and a new row of cilantro coming in. Plus we decided to pull some of the Upland Cress to add to the herbs. Cress is very peppery in flavor. You could add it to eggs or soup or whatever needs a little extra zip. Use it raw or cooked.

We seem to be in a bit of a mesclun lull. We plan on replanting and there is some, but not a ton at the moment. There are a bunch of head lettuces coming along so that may be the salad green for a bit. We'll see...

Thanks to all for the bags and jars and boxes. Keep it up! We used the very last produce bag yesterday so it's time to get creative.

SHARE # 6 - June 26 Delivery
(I seem to have forgotten to notate the quantities as we picked. oops.)

FULL SHARES

"baby" spinach - 1 lb
arugula - 1/2 lb?
2 -3 small head lettuces
turnips
kale or collards - Breedy's Camden kale, Champion collards, Red and White Russian kale, Red Chidori kale
Snap peas or snow peas
Shell peas (only some shares) Coral and Maestro
garlic scapes, cilantro, Upland cress

MINI-SHARES
Swiss chard - 1 lb.
Russian kale or lettuce

Enjoy!
Laura

FARM SHARE # 6 - June 26 - Delivery and June 29 - Pickup

2009-06-23T14:19:00.000-07:00

RED CHIDORI KALE - growing bigger and more beautiful every day.

Hello farm members,

Heather and I seem to be in a good routine with picking the shares. It proceeds easily and the two of us are always thinking ahead to the next picking and what needs to happen for that and beyond. Right now we are organizing our replanting plans. We need to plant more mesclun, arugula, and lettuce and it's also time to start some of the fall crops such as beets, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower and Chinese cabbage. The planting just goes on and on. To tell the truth, I have not noticed any particular lull in the planting. We just keep planting and planting. Our next focus will be weeding, mulching and panting, errr, I mean planting!

The peas are getting fatter every day so one day soon there will be snap peas, shell peas and snow peas. (Which will be ready first, I wonder.) There are tiny tomatoes on the greenhouse tomatoes. The various kale plants are growing fast. The beans of all kinds, green, shell, soy, bush and pole are all looking green and vigorous. On the down side, the woodchucks ate some tomato leaves and 'pruned' the sweet pea plants. And something ate the tops off the first kolrabi planting and some of the annual flowers. Hopefully there will be enough for everyone.

On Monday we thinned the turnips and found some turnips that were filled out as well as plenty of turnip greens. So the Monday full shares got some turnips and the Monday mini-shares got some greens. Cook your turnip greens like any other green, either saute or steam them until tender but not mushy. Many people enjoy a bit of ham hock or bacon added to their turnip greens or you could mix in some of the turnips themselves or some chopped onion or whatever you like. Oh yes, if you get turnips, you can certainly eat the tops as well!

GOLD BALL TURNIP

BLANC DE CROSSY TURNIP

HAKUREI TURNIPS

SHARE # 6 - June 26 Delivery and June 29 Pickup

FULL AND HALF SHARES:
mesclun/baby spinach
arugula
lettuce? we are waiting for the next batch to get big...
turnip greens and/or turnips
kale or collards
peas?? these are starting to fill out.
Swiss chard
bouquet

MINI-SHARES
greens of some kind
lettuce? or mesclun

*We really need bags for greens. Please return your clean dry bags if possible or provide reusable containers if you can.*

See you soon.
Laura

YESTERDAY'S DELIVERY - Friday, June 19, 2009

2009-06-20T16:10:00.000-07:00

Dear Farm Members,

Picking and delivery went smoothly once again. (This will never get boring. Everything being fine is ok by me.)
The escarole and head lettuce looked like it wanted to bolt soon so we picked all that looked ready. There will be another round of lettuce ready in a few weeks. Until then, we'll be eating mesclun for our salads.

I am still getting over a strained hip joint but it is getting better. My plan is to avoid all digging for a long time. So a special thank you to Robin Creamer, Nate and Marie Bartlett, Nick and Fritz Mesloh, Tim Richter and as always, Heather Loomis, for all your hard work getting the digging done. Soon we can plant the last of the peppers and the rest of the storage roots and flowers. Yay! Thank you.

Heather has been posting some yummy recipes, including some using turnips, at the recipe part of the blog.

Please remember to return your clean, dry bags and jars. We are already running low on bags.

SHARE # 5 - June 19 Delivery and June 22 Pickup
(Heather and I do weigh your items but these weights are approximate.)

FULL AND HALF SHARES:
mesclun - 8 oz
head lettuce 2 - 3
arugula - 8 oz
spinach - 1 lb
kale or rapa turnips - around 1 lb
escarole - 10 oz
leeks - 1 lb
white turnips 1 lb
cilantro and dill
garlic scapes 3.5 oz
bouquet - Peonies, Sweet William, Daisies, Yarrow, Lady's Mantle, Veronica, Snapdragons.

MINI-SHARES - 2 of these:
mesclun - 8 oz.
head lettuce - 1
arugula - 8 oz
spinach - 1 lb

and a mini-bouquet

Enjoy!
Laura

YESTERDAY'S Delivery - Friday, June 12, 2009

2009-06-13T03:43:00.000-07:00

Hello folks,

Yesterday's picking was a bit of a hustle for the picking crew. Because of the recent rains, the plants were splashed with soil and everything needed washing. (LOVE THAT RAIN THOUGH) Plus we did a fair amount of thinning for this picking, good for the garden and tasty tender greens but it takes longer to pick that way. BUT we did finish in time for Heather to get to work and for the shares to be delivered the usual time and the kitchen is nearly cleaned up so things are good.

For those of you who got chard thinnings, I found them relatively easy to prepare. Just put them in a tub of water, cut off their roots, wash again in the salad spinner. Very tender. They cook down alot.

FULL AND HALF SHARES:
mesclun - 8 oz
head lettuce 1
arugula 7.5 oz
baby greens - 1 lb. chard thinnings plus 1 more of these: kale, mustard, spinach
leeks
spearmint
cilantro
endive - 2 heads - watch the recipe blog for cooking ideas. I like to saute it with olive oil and garlic.
bouquet - Iris, Peonies, Lady's Mantle, Salvia, Valerian, Kousa Dogwood, Doronicum

MINI-SHARES - 2 of these:
mesclun
head lettuce
arugula
chard
and a mini-bouquet

Enjoy your vegetables and flowers!
Laura

Farm Share # 4 - June 12 - Delivery and June 15 - Pickup

2009-06-13T03:25:00.001-07:00

Dear Farm Members,

Sorry to be a bit late with this email this week. I was feeling under the weather on Monday and got behind schedule. (all better now)

FARM NEWS

The peas and fava beans are in bloom. The favas are very interesting. Their flowers look a bit like pea blossums and they are black and white. Odd but attractive. The squashes and bush beans (14 rows!) are up. The tomato plants are in and getting greener and bigger every day. The peppers and eggplant go in this week plus we are planting the fall storage roots: rutabagas, beets, carrots and parsnips. Soon our focus will turn towards weeding and fencing although we've been doing some of these as we go along so it's not TOO weedy out there.

The first Monday picking for pickup members was this week and it was very easy and smooth. The shares were in the stand by 10 and everyone had picked up by 5. I was home that afternoon resting so I actually slept through a bunch of pickups. Good work, folks. Soon I will post a bit about what was in those Monday shares here: http://lastingimpressionscsa.blogspot.com/ (I got behind on posting too!)

I have worked out a system of keeping track of people's preferences and what they get each week. Sometimes the harvest is tiny and needs to be spread over a few weeks. I will try to see that each share gets a share. Also, for the mini-shares, I will try to vary your items from week to week. For example, mesclun one week, head lettuce the next, etc. Of course if there is something you love and want every time it's available, just let me know.

SHARE # 4 - June 12 Delivery and June 15 Pickup

FULL AND HALF SHARES:
mesclun - starting to include nasturium leaves and marigold flowers.
head lettuce 1-2
arugula
baby greens - kale, mustard, chard, spinach - 1-2 of these
leeks - these are small, carryovers from last summer that want to bolt instead of getting bigger.
turnips - some are ready. If you don't get any this time, you will get them in your next share.
spearmint
cilantro?
garlic scapes? these are just appearing but they grow very quickly. They are the stems and unopened buds of the garlic plants. A nice addition to stirfrys and soup.
endive? - We are still waiting for these to be 'just right'. I want to try blanching them for extra tenderness.
bouquet - Iris, Peonies, Lady's Mantle, Salvia, Valerian, Kousa Dogwood, Snapdragons, whatever is ready.

MINI-SHARES - 2 of these:
mesclun
head lettuce
arugula
garlic chives
spearmint

and a mini-bouquet

Mini-Share folks: If you let me know a preference by Thursday, I will factor that in to the picking, otherwise it's pot luck. One item will either be mesclun, lettuce or arugula.

Laura
http://lastingimpressionscsa.blogspot.com/
http://lasting-impressions-on-the-farm.blogspot.com/

SHARE # 3 - PICK UP

2009-06-13T03:15:00.000-07:00

Everything went smoothly with our very first pick-up-at-the-farm shares. We were actually done picking and getting the shares out by 10 and everyone had picked up by 5 so that was great!

The shares were essentially the same as what was delivered on Friday except that the leeks have started coming in so I gave the one half share pickup some of those as well as the last of the rhubarb. The minis got a bit of cilantro as well.

TODAYS FARM SHARE # 3 - June 5, 2009 Delivery

2009-06-05T13:17:00.000-07:00

Hello folks,

The picking and the delivery went smoothly today. Somehow Heather and I have been able to finish prepping by 11:30 each time. Those of you who get delivery West of town center should know that your share may come as early as 11:30. I hope all the new folks are enjoying their vegies and that everything is in good condition. Thanks for setting out your coolers in easy places. Please remember to leave clean jars and bags if you have them. That way I won't need to keep finding more and more of these.

More on the weeds in your mesclun: Bear in mind that although Heather and I very careful, it is certainly possible for us to make mistakes and include untasty weeds as well as yummy ones. If you are ever uncertain about a particular leaf's edibility, set it aside, call or write, I would be happy to help you identify the item. Most likely it will be something tasty and nutritious, just unfamiliar. Sometime soon I will post to the farm blog with photos of the various items in this year's mesclun mixture. The leaves are beautiful.

This week's mix includes thinnings from Swiss chard, Yukina Savoy (a dark green, thick leaf with a peppery taste), Red and White Russian Kale, kolrabi and spinach. Plus the usual lettuce leaves, mizuna, cress, 2 kinds of arugula and more.

THIS FULL SHARE # 3

mesclun 1 1/4 #
head lettuce - 1
radishes - 16 - 18
arugula 6 oz.
apple mint
dill
a sprig of Sweet Cicely
baby greens - 2 kinds, about 12 oz each - Winterbor Kale, Red Russian Kale, spinach, Rapa turnips, mustard mix
bouquet

MINI SHARES - 2 items plus a sprig of Sweet Cicely
head lettuce - 2 small
mesclun - 8 oz
arugula - 6 oz
radishes - 1 bunch
mini bouquet

Monday's pick up shares will be similar. I will post that to the blog only so you don't get overloaded with emails.
http://lastingimpressionscsa.blogspot.com/

I also post photos to facebook. If you happen to have an account there, look for me. I have my preferences set so that everyone can see the farm photos.

Enjoy the weekend.
Laura

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

2009-05-29T12:09:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-26T03:41:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-22T09:09:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-19T15:40:00.000-07:00

*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

2009-05-19T15:39:00.001-07:00

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

Selling like hot cakes

2009-02-16T18:06:00.001-08:00

Just a brief update. As of today people have spoken for 3 full shares, 3 half shares and 6 mini shares. That leaves just 2 half shares or 1 full share still available.

I am very excited about all the 2009 members, new folks and returning customers.
Thanks so much for your support!

Shares 2009

2009-01-26T04:41:00.000-08:00

This past week I sent out an email to previous farm members, farm stand regulars and some people who have expressed an interest being members of the farm. I have been delighted with the response. Out of 5 1/2 shares and 4 mini shares, I have already sold 3 1/2 or 4 shares and 3 minis. That only leaves 1 1/2 - 2 shares and 1 mini left!

I decided, as usual, to keep the farm small and to increase only a small amount over last year. In 2008 I did manage to increase the amount of area I have available for farming but not as much as I had hoped. I'm getting out the rototiller this year to help me expand a bit more. The other thing is that I am not satisfied with the shares as they are so far. (My members think the shares are terrific but I want the shares to be even better.) Because of the space limitations, in 2007 and 2008 I never got around to planting some crops that I consider basic, such as potatoes and lots of tomatoes and broccoli. Some things I started in pots but never had a spot to put them. The result was that the shares are not up to my standards yet, even though they are large and tasty and fair value. So this year I am determined to plant everything! I would be pleased if this year became known as the year of the tomato.

The other little blip related to learning to be a farmer is that there were some things that I usually have in storage for myself in the winter that just never got planted. The items mentioned above plus storage carrots, tomato sauce, hot peppers, etc. It really bugs me to have to buy these things at the store. So that is the other things that needs correction this year and the other reason I am not expanding further in terms of selling more shares. Instead I will be growing more for me!

The fun news around the farm these days is that the chickens are laying eggs. Yesterday they laid 7 eggs! A new record. Speaking of which, it's time to bring them some water...

2008 in Pictures

2009-01-22T05:04:00.000-08:00

Here are pictures from most of the shares in 2008, with the later shares at the top of the 'list'. Check earlier posts for specific descriptions. Each week throughout the growing season I try to post both an estimate of what the share will include that week and a picture and list of what it actually included. I will be using the same system in 2009.

Delivery #21 - October 17, 2008

2008-10-27T13:22:00.001-07:00

LAST SHARE OF 2008 - Delivery #21 - October 17, 2008

2008-10-15T17:07:00.000-07:00

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

Delivery #20 - October 10, 2008

2008-10-15T17:06:00.001-07:00

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

Delivery #19 - October 3, 2008

2008-10-15T17:03:00.000-07:00

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

Delivery #18 - September 26, 2008

2008-09-22T05:03:00.000-07:00

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

Today's Delivery - September 19, 2008

2008-09-19T09:04:00.000-07:00

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

Delivery #17 - September 19, 2008

2008-09-16T05:54:00.000-07:00

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

Today's Delivery - September 12, 2008

2008-09-12T16:20:00.000-07:00

(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

Delivery #16 - September 12, 2008

2008-09-09T03:35:00.000-07:00

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/

Today's Delivery - September 5, 2008

2008-09-05T10:18:00.000-07:00

(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

Delivery #15 - September 5, 2008

2008-09-02T05:23:00.000-07:00

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

Today's Delivery - August 29, 2008

2008-08-29T12:15:00.000-07:00

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

Delivery #14 - August 29, 2008

2008-08-26T04:42:00.001-07:00

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

Last week's delivery - August 22, 2008

2008-08-26T04:35:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-26T04:34:00.000-07:00

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

Today's Delivery - August 15, 2008

2008-08-15T12:17:00.000-07:00

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!

Delivery #12 - August 15, 2008

2008-08-11T08:10:00.000-07:00

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

THIS WEEK'S DELIVERY - August 8, 2008

2008-08-10T09:28:00.000-07:00

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.

Delivery #11 - August 8, 2008

2008-08-04T05:08:00.000-07:00

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

Today's Delivery - August 1, 2008

2008-08-01T15:11:00.000-07:00

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!

Extras for the shares!

2008-07-28T07:35:00.001-07:00

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!

Delivery #10 - August 1, 2008

2008-07-28T07:34:00.000-07:00

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

Today's Delivery - July 25, 2008

2008-07-28T07:27:00.000-07:00

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.

Today's Delivery - July 18, 2008

2008-07-18T10:12:00.000-07:00

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...

Delivery #8 - July 18, 2008

2008-07-15T05:37:00.000-07:00

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/

Yesterday's Delivery - Friday, July 11, 2008

2008-07-12T03:30:00.000-07:00

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!

Fun

2008-07-11T13:37:00.001-07:00

Now I am typing. Monday I was singing. Tomorrow I am weeding!

Delivery #7 - July 11, 2008

2008-07-09T12:50:00.000-07:00

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/

THIS WEEK'S DELIVERY - JULY 4, 2008

2008-07-04T09:44:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-04T09:42:00.000-07:00

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/

Friday's Delivery - June 27, 2008

2008-06-28T15:27:00.000-07:00

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

Delivery #5 - Friday, June 27, 2008

2008-06-23T13:11:00.000-07:00

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

Delivery #4 - Friday, June 20, 2008

2008-06-18T03:30:00.000-07:00

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

Today's Delivery

2008-06-13T16:50:00.000-07:00

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

Yesterday's Delivery - Friday, June 6, 2008

2008-06-08T03:23:00.000-07:00

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)

Delivery #2 - Friday, June 6, 2008

2008-06-02T05:01:00.000-07:00

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

Yesterday's Delivery - Friday, May 30, 2008

2008-05-31T03:35:00.000-07:00

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