Extended Mini Shares

New this year!  I am offering just a few extended mini shares that will go for 20 weeks instead of 16 weeks.  Cost = $125.00  This is directly related to the new hoophouse that is already producing food and I feel confident that there will be enough vegetables this fall for some mini shares to go longer than usual, into October.  Exact dates are still being determined but if you would like to continue getting salad, greens, winter squash, peppers, tomatoes, leeks and more into mid fall, let me know and I'll save an Extended Mini Share for you.

SAMPLE FULL SHARES - 2011

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

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

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

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

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

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

FARM SHARE # 23 - October 27, 2011

HALF SHARE:


FULL SHARE:

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

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

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