Notes From The Field | June 11, 2023 Peek at the Peak by Farmer Derek
Entwined transplanted carrots on the left and straight slender direct seeded ones on the right. They're different varieties so they may taste different too. Don't bother peeling them. We'd read that transplanted ones would probably mingle more. This was a trial and it's cool to know that transplanting carrots is possible. To be harvested and distributed in the near future, hopefully after some much need precipitation.
So far, so good. Shares have been plentiful, crop growth is healthy and robust, pests and diseases have been at a minimum. Of course, we're only entering harvest week #6, with 22 more to go afterwards. But farm work and field prep wise we're a solid 40% of the way through the growing season and thus far things have been good. It's been very dry, yes, but we're able to irrigate (not everything though). Other than the drought, the late frost, and the wildfire smoke, the weather has been fairly kind. We're desperately hoping for a nice soaking rainfall this Monday and I plan to stay positive until then. We're not quite at peak produce just yet (that comes in July or August) but some crops have already shown their full potential. Strawberries have been particularly plentiful this season; snow pea vines are the tallest I've ever seen (which hopefully translates to lots of fruit); lettuces and chicories have been large, crisp, and bolt-resistant. Spring spinach was simply harvested, a miracle, for just about two weeks. Overall only the tiniest amount of spring crops had to be regarded as pure fertilizer, such as the first outdoor planting of arugula, which went to seed too quickly. A portion of the second outdoor bok choy did the same. But other than those, it's been a complete harvest. I'm satisfied.
Entwined transplanted carrots on the left and straight slender direct seeded ones on the right. They're different varieties so they may taste different too. Don't bother peeling them. We'd read that transplanted ones would probably mingle more. This was a trial and it's cool to know that transplanting carrots is possible. To be harvested and distributed in the near future, hopefully after some much need precipitation.
So far, so good. Shares have been plentiful, crop growth is healthy and robust, pests and diseases have been at a minimum. Of course, we're only entering harvest week #6, with 22 more to go afterwards. But farm work and field prep wise we're a solid 40% of the way through the growing season and thus far things have been good. It's been very dry, yes, but we're able to irrigate (not everything though). Other than the drought, the late frost, and the wildfire smoke, the weather has been fairly kind. We're desperately hoping for a nice soaking rainfall this Monday and I plan to stay positive until then. We're not quite at peak produce just yet (that comes in July or August) but some crops have already shown their full potential. Strawberries have been particularly plentiful this season; snow pea vines are the tallest I've ever seen (which hopefully translates to lots of fruit); lettuces and chicories have been large, crisp, and bolt-resistant. Spring spinach was simply harvested, a miracle, for just about two weeks. Overall only the tiniest amount of spring crops had to be regarded as pure fertilizer, such as the first outdoor planting of arugula, which went to seed too quickly. A portion of the second outdoor bok choy did the same. But other than those, it's been a complete harvest. I'm satisfied.
June 11, 2023
June 11, 2023 Another Two "Now What?!" Workshops June 24th & 25th by Gia Yaccarino
Tomatoes in a caterpillar tunnel beginning their trellised vertical journey.
Hosted by longtime member Gia Yaccarino on Saturday, June 24th and Sunday, June 25th, 11am-1pm.
Please sign up on the website here if you are planning to attend!
Maybe you are a new member, maybe you’ve been a member for a while. Either way – this workshop is for you!
In the barn, everything made sense while you were putting your share into your bags to bring home. At home, it suddenly became very overwhelming once you began unpacking! We have all been there; it is part of the CSA learning curve.
Let us help you make the most of your farm share!
Being a member of a CSA opens the door to so many topics!
At this workshop we will talk about:
- Resources: books, websites, Anchor Run CSA website (Recipes and Veggies 202 – it has pictures)
- How to keep your veggies as fresh as possible once they are in your refrigerator.
- The pros and cons of different preservation techniques (freezing, fermenting, canning, dehydrating).
- “Tools of the trade”, which I find invaluable.
- Before you compost: radish greens are edible!
- Composting, composting at the farm; what and what not to include in a compost pile, vermicomposting.
- Solar Cooking.
We will share recipes based on farm produce that our families love. And by share – I mean taste and provide copies of the recipes.
Pestos - don’t limit yourself to Basil. What to do with all those greens? Veggie Hash! The list goes on!
This is a casual, enlightening event that will enhance your experience of the CSA.
Tomatoes in a caterpillar tunnel beginning their trellised vertical journey.
Hosted by longtime member Gia Yaccarino on Saturday, June 24th and Sunday, June 25th, 11am-1pm.
Please sign up on the website here if you are planning to attend!
Maybe you are a new member, maybe you’ve been a member for a while. Either way – this workshop is for you!
In the barn, everything made sense while you were putting your share into your bags to bring home. At home, it suddenly became very overwhelming once you began unpacking! We have all been there; it is part of the CSA learning curve.
Let us help you make the most of your farm share!
Being a member of a CSA opens the door to so many topics!
At this workshop we will talk about:
- Resources: books, websites, Anchor Run CSA website (Recipes and Veggies 202 – it has pictures)
- How to keep your veggies as fresh as possible once they are in your refrigerator.
- The pros and cons of different preservation techniques (freezing, fermenting, canning, dehydrating).
- “Tools of the trade”, which I find invaluable.
- Before you compost: radish greens are edible!
- Composting, composting at the farm; what and what not to include in a compost pile, vermicomposting.
- Solar Cooking.
We will share recipes based on farm produce that our families love. And by share – I mean taste and provide copies of the recipes.
Pestos - don’t limit yourself to Basil. What to do with all those greens? Veggie Hash! The list goes on!
This is a casual, enlightening event that will enhance your experience of the CSA.
Hope to see you there!
June 11, 2023
June 11, 2023 Medicinal Garden Tour with Amanda Crooke from Locust Light Farm! by Farmer Dana
Medicinal Garden Tour
Join Amanda Crooke of Locust Light Farm for a medicinal tour of our herb garden. Amanda will walk you through the herbs, demonstrate how to harvest them, describe their medicinal qualities, and give you tips for storing and using them. You'll leave feeling inspired to visit the herb garden at every pickup! Amanda is an engaging speaker, host to an incredible wealth of knowledge of all things herbal. We are fortunate to have her share her wisdom and hope you'll join us for this fun and enriching event!
Saturday, 7/15, 12:00pm
Thursday, 7/27, 6:00pm
Tuesday, 8/8, 6:00pm
Note #1: Feel free to bring a friend! The public is welcome.
Note #2: This is a demonstration event and not a harvesting event. You may harvest herbs as part of your share allotment.
Join Amanda Crooke of Locust Light Farm for a medicinal tour of our herb garden. Amanda will walk you through the herbs, demonstrate how to harvest them, describe their medicinal qualities, and give you tips for storing and using them. You'll leave feeling inspired to visit the herb garden at every pickup! Amanda is an engaging speaker, host to an incredible wealth of knowledge of all things herbal. We are fortunate to have her share her wisdom and hope you'll join us for this fun and enriching event!
Saturday, 7/15, 12:00pm
Thursday, 7/27, 6:00pm
Tuesday, 8/8, 6:00pm
Note #1: Feel free to bring a friend! The public is welcome.
Note #2: This is a demonstration event and not a harvesting event. You may harvest herbs as part of your share allotment.
Expected Harvest | June 4, 2023 With June by Farmer Dana
Strawberry sampling.
Harvest #5 (Week A) should include romaine, kale, lettuce mix, chard, salad radishes, hakurei turnips, kohlrabi, bok choy, head lettuce, cilantro, dill, escarole, and garlic scapes. Some items may be a choice. U-pick should include herbs, snow peas, and strawberries.
Harvest #5 (Week A) should include romaine, kale, lettuce mix, chard, salad radishes, hakurei turnips, kohlrabi, bok choy, head lettuce, cilantro, dill, escarole, and garlic scapes. Some items may be a choice. U-pick should include herbs, snow peas, and strawberries.
June 4, 2023
June 4, 2023 Workshifts for the Week of June 5th by Farmer Derek
Farmers Connor and Adeline hoopin' and coverin' the 2nd round of zucs and cucs.
This week's workshift schedule:
Wednesday 6/7 10am-12pm
Sunday 6/11 8-10am
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.
Notes From The Field | June 4, 2023 Driest Spell Continues by Farmer Derek
Before and after potato hilling. Piling soil up around the plants temporarily eliminates weed pressure and also provides additional space for the tubers to grow. Now they just need a decent drink.
I'm pretty sure we're in the midst of the driest stretch of weather during any growing season of the past 15 years. Fortunately it hasn't been hot too often and generally the weather has been pretty glorious. Most crops are being irrigated every 5-7 days. We still haven't set up irrigation on the garlic, potatoes, or carrots. If it doesn't rain this week we'll probably need to figure that out or sustain lower crop yields.
Overall the farm is in great shape, probably partly due to the lack of rain and the resultant lower weed, pest, and disease pressure, but also because of our great farm crew. June, July, and August are big months, although June is interesting because it's sort of a transitional period between insane intense spring planting and the big heavy harvests of summer crops. With the right mindset and a glimpse of the bigger picture it can all be fairly enjoyable (the bigger picture being autumn will arrive eventually with cooler weather and less to do).
That said, we're not quite out of the big spring planting period just yet. This week we have 3,000 sweet potato vines to plant; about 6,000 leeks; another round of beans, edamame, lettuces, and herbs; as well as the first of the cantaloupe. There will be a slight gap then we begin the 2nd half of the season's plantings at the end of June with 7,000 strawberry plants for a 2024 harvest; followed by the big fall brassicas broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, rutabaga in mid-July; as well as carrots, lettuces, fennel, greens, and much more in late-July through September. In July the big harvests should commence with carrots, garlic, and onions. August brings potatoes and winter squash. September is sweet potatoes. October is all of the other roots. But let's not get too far ahead.
Before and after potato hilling. Piling soil up around the plants temporarily eliminates weed pressure and also provides additional space for the tubers to grow. Now they just need a decent drink.
I'm pretty sure we're in the midst of the driest stretch of weather during any growing season of the past 15 years. Fortunately it hasn't been hot too often and generally the weather has been pretty glorious. Most crops are being irrigated every 5-7 days. We still haven't set up irrigation on the garlic, potatoes, or carrots. If it doesn't rain this week we'll probably need to figure that out or sustain lower crop yields.
Overall the farm is in great shape, probably partly due to the lack of rain and the resultant lower weed, pest, and disease pressure, but also because of our great farm crew. June, July, and August are big months, although June is interesting because it's sort of a transitional period between insane intense spring planting and the big heavy harvests of summer crops. With the right mindset and a glimpse of the bigger picture it can all be fairly enjoyable (the bigger picture being autumn will arrive eventually with cooler weather and less to do).
That said, we're not quite out of the big spring planting period just yet. This week we have 3,000 sweet potato vines to plant; about 6,000 leeks; another round of beans, edamame, lettuces, and herbs; as well as the first of the cantaloupe. There will be a slight gap then we begin the 2nd half of the season's plantings at the end of June with 7,000 strawberry plants for a 2024 harvest; followed by the big fall brassicas broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, rutabaga in mid-July; as well as carrots, lettuces, fennel, greens, and much more in late-July through September. In July the big harvests should commence with carrots, garlic, and onions. August brings potatoes and winter squash. September is sweet potatoes. October is all of the other roots. But let's not get too far ahead.
Notes From The Field | May 28, 2023
Notes From The Field | May 28, 2023 Incredible Irrigation by Farmer Derek
Setting sun illuminates crops and irrigation tubes.
What we're thinking about most right now is the lack of rain. What we're doing with much of our time is setting up, connecting, and running irrigation. It appears that we'll get through May with just over half an inch of rain, making it our driest month in 15 years of farming here. I don't feel panicked about it just yet. Everything around me still looks lush and green. Setting up irrigation, though time consuming and something I'd rather avoid doing, always happens at some point during the growing season. So getting it up and running now is fine. With no rain in the forecast we'll cycle through the fields on a 5-7 day rotation. Thirstier crops in high production, like the peas and strawberries, will get a drink at shorter intervals. Our well supplies a finite amount of water at a given time but we can irrigate our current footprint, maybe 5 or 6 acres, in a given week. Right now we're exclusively using drip tape and currently have irrigation on all crops except potatoes and carrots. As our footprint expands to our mid-July maximum, without rain, we'll continue to add tubes and tape where needed.
Setting sun illuminates crops and irrigation tubes.
What we're thinking about most right now is the lack of rain. What we're doing with much of our time is setting up, connecting, and running irrigation. It appears that we'll get through May with just over half an inch of rain, making it our driest month in 15 years of farming here. I don't feel panicked about it just yet. Everything around me still looks lush and green. Setting up irrigation, though time consuming and something I'd rather avoid doing, always happens at some point during the growing season. So getting it up and running now is fine. With no rain in the forecast we'll cycle through the fields on a 5-7 day rotation. Thirstier crops in high production, like the peas and strawberries, will get a drink at shorter intervals. Our well supplies a finite amount of water at a given time but we can irrigate our current footprint, maybe 5 or 6 acres, in a given week. Right now we're exclusively using drip tape and currently have irrigation on all crops except potatoes and carrots. As our footprint expands to our mid-July maximum, without rain, we'll continue to add tubes and tape where needed.
Expected Harvest | May 28, 2023
Expected Harvest | May 28, 2023 Strawberry Passion by Farmer Dana
What's not to love about a freshly picked juicy red ripe strawberry?
Harvest #4 (Week B) should include kale, lettuce mix, chard, salad radishes, hakurei turnips, bok choy, head lettuce, cilantro, dill, escarole, and green garlic. Some items may be a choice. U-pick should include herbs and strawberries (see below for additional u-pick information).
What's not to love about a freshly picked juicy red ripe strawberry?
Harvest #4 (Week B) should include kale, lettuce mix, chard, salad radishes, hakurei turnips, bok choy, head lettuce, cilantro, dill, escarole, and green garlic. Some items may be a choice. U-pick should include herbs and strawberries (see below for additional u-pick information).
May 28, 2023
May 28, 2023 Workshifts for the Week of May 29th by Farmer Derek
Farmer Gabby helps plant tomatoes in the upper caterpillar tunnel last week.
This week's workshift schedule:
Wednesday 5/31 10am-12pm
Sunday 6/4 8-10am
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.
May 28, 2023 A New Green and Maybe Peas by Linda Dansbury
The u-pick flower patch has been bestowed with irrigation this year.
After this week, the harvest will start changing more rapidly, transitioning from greens to summer veggies. Here are a couple of possible new items for the next few weeks:
Escarole - seems that people either love it or hate it. I love it! It is one of the greens that can be enjoyed in salads, sautéed with garlic, onions, red pepper flakes, or added to soups and stews. It pairs especially well with white beans, as in the traditional Italian Pasta e Fagioli and Italian Wedding Soup. It is nutritious and like other greens, does not like to be stored sitting in water. For more ideas on enjoying this and other greens from the farm check out Sauteed Mixed Greens Plus 3 Uses for Them.
Peas- a favorite U Pick veggie, to probably begin in Week 5, maybe late in Week 4! We will start with Snow Peas, and then move to SugarSnaps. They are more or less interchangeable in recipes and contain a lot of Vitamin C and even some Iron. When cooking, be careful to only cook them slightly so they stay crispy. They are delicious raw of course as well. Store them in a plastic container or bag in the crisper of the fridge and they should stay fresh for at least a week, if they last that long!
The u-pick flower patch has been bestowed with irrigation this year.
After this week, the harvest will start changing more rapidly, transitioning from greens to summer veggies. Here are a couple of possible new items for the next few weeks:
Escarole - seems that people either love it or hate it. I love it! It is one of the greens that can be enjoyed in salads, sautéed with garlic, onions, red pepper flakes, or added to soups and stews. It pairs especially well with white beans, as in the traditional Italian Pasta e Fagioli and Italian Wedding Soup. It is nutritious and like other greens, does not like to be stored sitting in water. For more ideas on enjoying this and other greens from the farm check out Sauteed Mixed Greens Plus 3 Uses for Them.
Peas- a favorite U Pick veggie, to probably begin in Week 5, maybe late in Week 4! We will start with Snow Peas, and then move to SugarSnaps. They are more or less interchangeable in recipes and contain a lot of Vitamin C and even some Iron. When cooking, be careful to only cook them slightly so they stay crispy. They are delicious raw of course as well. Store them in a plastic container or bag in the crisper of the fridge and they should stay fresh for at least a week, if they last that long!
