FARM WEEK # 5 - June 23, 2011

FUZZY YOUNG PEACHES

June 21, 2011
Good morning, farm members!

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

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

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




SCARLET RUNNER BEAN FLOWERS


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

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

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

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

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

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


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

Laura Timmerman
910 Greenfield Rd
Leyden, MA 01337
413-773-8325
laurat-at-crocker.com
http://lasting-impressions-on-the-farm.blogspot.com/
2011 Farm Shares on facebook:



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