Monday, May 30, 2016

Farm Week #1 - May 30, 2016

Tree Peony

May 30, 2016

FARM SHARES ARE STARTING THIS THURSDAY!  
The shares will be starting June 2, 2:00 - 7:00 - pick up at the farm.

Hello, people,
Robin and I excited to be starting the farm share season with you.
Things are growing very quickly lately, with all the sun, warmth, and now, rain!

FARM NEWS
We have *almost* finished the main planting and the crops look good.  Cabbages, broccoli, lettuce, cucumbers, greens, and beans look especially happy.  We have two plantings of carrots in so far, and they are thinned and weeded so here’s hoping for nice big carrots this year.  Many area have been mulched.  The Pick-Your-Own garden is planted with snap peas, cherry tomatoes, pole beans, hot pepper, tomatillos, edible flowers, and herbs.  (None are ready to pick yet but you can check them when you pick up your share.)  To keep the harvest flowing, we plant many items repeatedly.  For example, we have kohlrabi growing at 3 different sizes and 2 planting of Chinese broccoli.  We keep planting throughout the season.  Endive frisee and puntarelle are being set out today.  Mustard greens, beets, and late broccoli and cauliflower will be set out next weekend.  Organizing the schedule and layout is a bit like a jigsaw puzzle combined with a symphony and with juggling, all mixed together.  Fortunately, Robin and I love doing what we are doing!

After the main planting, the next big project will be building our new 30’ X 60’ high tunnel.  The tunnel will mostly be used to grow winter crops.  Next winter we hope to have lots of spinach, mesclun, leeks, and kale to keep us healthy through the cold weather.

Two caterpillar tunnels are built and filled with tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, and tomatillos.
13 ducklings so far, hoping for more

CROPS
We like to grow and share a wide variety of crops.  Sometimes we include items in your share that may be unfamiliar to you.  Please ask away!  We only put things in the shares that we think are delicious.  We are happy to share tips and recipes on how to use them.  Many people find that some of the new things turn out to be their new favorite food.  (If you don’t like something, that’s fine, we won’t be offended.)

We love to learn new ways to cook everything we grow.  If you have a good recipe, we want to hear about it.
Sweet Morning Farm’s recipe blog:  http://lastingimpressionsrecipes.blogspot.com

 Some PICK UP DAY tips for you:

- Bring containers for your food.  Some items will be bagged and some will be in bins for you to choose and bring home in your own basket or container.  We don't have flowers yet but should have loads later in the season.  When that happens, most people like to bring a jar or vase for their flowers.
- Please return containers that we provide, including egg cartons, clean and dry.  Thanks!
- One of us will be here to answer questions.  We are always happy to say hello and help you.
- Please call or email if you can’t pick up your share.  413-773-8325

The FLOWERS haven’t started to bloom yet, but will soon.  We have great hopes for a wonderful flower season.  We use a very informal system for the flowers.  Robin and I pick them and put them in vases by type.  When you pick up your share, take some.  You can use your own judgement about how many.  It always seems to work out.  This year we planted a little garden next to the porch with extra PYO flowers.  There will be sweet peas, calendula, sunflowers, centaurea, and cosmos.  Help yourself!

To some extent we can accommodate your VACATION plans.  If you let us know ahead of time, we can double up on a different day.  Or you can have a friend pick up your share.  I am making a chart that will be posted in the pick-up area with all the farm share dates.  Please use it to let us know when you won't be picking up your share.
#1 FARM SHARE:
Rhubarb
Mesclun
Head lettuce
Arugula
Cooking greens - mostly kale this week
Radishes?
Herbs - leaf fennel, sage, oregano, apple mint, etc. (choose when you get here)
Seedlings - we have extras and would like to share them with you

MINI SHARES:
We will pick a variety of the same goodies for you.  When you pick up your share, choose two items that you like from your special area.  We always keep an eye on the mini share area to make sure that even the last people to pick up have some options.  Once the flowers and PYO garden get rolling, you are also welcome to pick extra veggies and take home some flowers.

Hurray for the start of the farm share season!  Here's wishing for a bountiful, delicious harvest for all of us.

See you Thursday,
Laura & Rob
PS Sorry this email is so long.  In future they will be more manageable.
PPS Posting these weekly emails at:  http://sweet-morning-farm-csa.blogspot.com

Sweet Morning Farm
910 Greenfield Rd
Leyden, MA 01337
413-773-8325
sweetmorningfarm@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/SweetMorningFarm
http://sweet-morning-farm.blogspot.com