Harvest #13 (Week A) should include watermelon, cantaloupe, beets, cucumbers, carrots, garlic, zucchini, sweet peppers, hot peppers, okra, shishito peppers, lettuce, herbs, eggplant, italian dandelion, tomatoes, onions, and scallions. Some items will be a choice. U-pick should include a handful of herbs, husk cherries, cherry tomatoes, tomatillos, edamame, and flowers.

A big shout out, feeling of gratitude, appreciation, super large THANK YOU to our crew for taking care of the farm this past week!

We're now feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Frolicking in the surf, viewing ocean and shore dwelling species, paddling to our hearts' content, ignoring the world-at-large, was just enough playtime. We're excited to buckle down and hustle through the final month of summer. Plant growth, both the wanted and unwanted kind, is at the end of peak growth. Weeds, particularly, are growing quickly and trying their best to set seed to continue their genetic line. This coming week we'll try our best using our toolkit to subdue these foes and tidy up the place. After this last gasp, germination of summer weeds like amaranth and galinsoga ends, our main competitors this time of year. Wanted summer crops like zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes, and eggplant are slowing down somewhat, especially during this respite from hot weather, but also because diseases that plague these crops are slowly getting a foothold. Peppers this year are perplexing. We're harvesting a ton, but there are a lot of culls in the field due to blemishes on the fruit. We've never seen them suffer this much but overall yield is adequate. Every time we harvest we have to do a thorough fruit check. Ripening fruit are especially hard hit by the annoying blight. Tomatoes, on the other hand, have been awesome (and backbreakingly heavy). Moving tomato production inside was one of the best decisions (and investments) we've ever made. They've peaked but should be around for another month or so. In September we'll have to begin preparing the tunnels for fall lettuces and other greens and bid farewell to the 2022 tomato harvest. Before we know it the Fall Equinox and the glory of Autumn will be here.

This week we'll probably continue harvesting potatoes as well as pull some weeds. We're nearing the end of peak weed season but can definitely use some help with the final few rounds of clean up.

This week's workshift schedule:

Bring gloves, water, a hat, sturdy shoes, and a pad for kneeling (if necessary for you)!

We meet under the large red maple at the end of the barn by the pick up room.

Workshift Guidelines - Workshift Sign Up Instructions

Dandelion greens are amazing! In early springtime, before the first pick-up of the season, I have been known to pick dandelion greens from my yard for a salad! (Please only pick wild dandelion greens in yards which are untreated!) My mom tells stories about when she was growing up, her aunt would go to the circle at Trenton Train Station and pick dandelion greens!

Dandelion greens have more vitamins and nutrients than kale or spinach!

Try mixing in a little dandelion green into your next salad!

Cooking helps reduce the bitterness of dandelion greens. If sautéed dandelion greens are still too bitter, try quickly blanching before sautéing.

Safe for cats: Yes

Safe for dogs: Yes