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:
No comments:
Post a Comment