Notes From The Field | May 14, 2023 On the Farm Again! by Farmer Derek
The greenhouse is still home to a lot of plants, mostly bug and temperature sensitive ones.
What fun to see old and new friends on the farm again!
The first harvest week has concluded and everything ran pretty smoothly, thankfully. Transitioning back to thrice-weekly harvesting and distributing seems daunting at first as we adjust our work schedules to accommodate these new tasks. A big shout out to our farm crew for coming in an hour earlier and adjusting so well to the harvest routine. It's a pleasure to collect and eat the proverbial fruits of our labor, plants we've been nurturing for the past few months. It's also been great welcoming you back to the farm! Everything we work so hard to raise is destined for you, our members. I'm hopeful adding a trip out to the farm to collect your share blended in with your busy schedule and that you're now enjoying some of the early spring greens and roots.
Out in the fields we're still planting like mad. Now that we're (hopefully) past the frost date we can begin establishing heat-loving crops in earnest. Last week we transplanted 3000 feet of peppers (can't have too many sweet peppers, right?), 1200 feet of u-pick flowers (expanded per Farmer Dana's request), the first succession of snap/string/green beans, the 7th round of lettuces and herbs, as well as spring celery, additional chard, and more scallions. Crops were cultivated and many, many beds were prepped for future crops. Over the next few weeks we'll plant watermelon, winter squash and pie pumpkins, sweet potatoes, leeks, tomatillos, edamame, cantaloupe, zucchini, cucumbers, as well as more lettuces, beans, scallions, and herbs.
Extensive crop planting will transition to crop maintenance and eventually big harvests. For now we revel in the return of an abundance of greens and an internal spring cleaning!
The greenhouse is still home to a lot of plants, mostly bug and temperature sensitive ones.
What fun to see old and new friends on the farm again!
The first harvest week has concluded and everything ran pretty smoothly, thankfully. Transitioning back to thrice-weekly harvesting and distributing seems daunting at first as we adjust our work schedules to accommodate these new tasks. A big shout out to our farm crew for coming in an hour earlier and adjusting so well to the harvest routine. It's a pleasure to collect and eat the proverbial fruits of our labor, plants we've been nurturing for the past few months. It's also been great welcoming you back to the farm! Everything we work so hard to raise is destined for you, our members. I'm hopeful adding a trip out to the farm to collect your share blended in with your busy schedule and that you're now enjoying some of the early spring greens and roots.
Out in the fields we're still planting like mad. Now that we're (hopefully) past the frost date we can begin establishing heat-loving crops in earnest. Last week we transplanted 3000 feet of peppers (can't have too many sweet peppers, right?), 1200 feet of u-pick flowers (expanded per Farmer Dana's request), the first succession of snap/string/green beans, the 7th round of lettuces and herbs, as well as spring celery, additional chard, and more scallions. Crops were cultivated and many, many beds were prepped for future crops. Over the next few weeks we'll plant watermelon, winter squash and pie pumpkins, sweet potatoes, leeks, tomatillos, edamame, cantaloupe, zucchini, cucumbers, as well as more lettuces, beans, scallions, and herbs.
Extensive crop planting will transition to crop maintenance and eventually big harvests. For now we revel in the return of an abundance of greens and an internal spring cleaning!
May 14, 2023
May 14, 2023 Pick Up Days and Times Plus Farm Communication by Farmer Dana
- Pick up days are Tuesdays 1-8pm, Thursdays 1-8pm, and Saturdays 10am–12pm. You're assigned a permanent pick up day but you may temporarily switch to a different day or week.
**Please note there is can be a rush right at 1 pm, especially on holidays. If you're looking to avoid a crowd, consider the 3 o'clock hour.**
- If you need to temporarily switch your pick up day and/or week, please email us by 5pm the Sunday prior to the week of the change.
- After each pick up we'll look at the sign in sheets and if your name is not checked off we will contact you to see if you did miss pick up and want to reschedule.
- We sent an email last weekend reminding you of your designated pick up day and week. Please email us if you did not receive it. It was sent to the primary account holder's email address. If you did not receive it in your inbox, check spam or another folder. It's a good idea to make sure our emails end up in a place you'll notice them since this is how we communicate farm information, events, etc.
- You can log in and view your information on your members page, including share size, pick up day, work history, and balance.
- Pick up days are Tuesdays 1-8pm, Thursdays 1-8pm, and Saturdays 10am–12pm. You're assigned a permanent pick up day but you may temporarily switch to a different day or week.
**Please note there is can be a rush right at 1 pm, especially on holidays. If you're looking to avoid a crowd, consider the 3 o'clock hour.**
- If you need to temporarily switch your pick up day and/or week, please email us by 5pm the Sunday prior to the week of the change.
- After each pick up we'll look at the sign in sheets and if your name is not checked off we will contact you to see if you did miss pick up and want to reschedule.
- We sent an email last weekend reminding you of your designated pick up day and week. Please email us if you did not receive it. It was sent to the primary account holder's email address. If you did not receive it in your inbox, check spam or another folder. It's a good idea to make sure our emails end up in a place you'll notice them since this is how we communicate farm information, events, etc.
- You can log in and view your information on your members page, including share size, pick up day, work history, and balance.
May 14, 2023
May 14, 2023 Pick Up Essentials by Farmer Dana
- BYO baskets/bags/boxes to bring your harvest home. Sometimes we have donated shopping bags on hand to pack your shares in, but sometimes we don’t! (Also, our produce is not packaged in any way, so bringing your own bags is important if you want produce kept separate within a larger container. This is a small way we can reduce farm plastic waste. One member last year let us know that their plastic waste is reduced by half when they are picking up shares from the farm - great news!)
- Check off your name on the sign-in sheet before collecting your share from the barn. Organized by share size and alphabetically by last name.- Follow harvest amounts written on the chalk boards labeled with your share size (full, half, medium).
- If you need help with anything please feel free to ask a Farm Staffer in the barn for help at anytime!
- Parking is available in the large stone lot at the end of the driveway. Parking next to the barn is available for people with physical challenges and for cars with sleeping kids.
- Driveway speed limit is 10 mph! Thank you in advance for keeping our farm safe for members, kids, farmers and animals that are out and about.
- BYO baskets/bags/boxes to bring your harvest home. Sometimes we have donated shopping bags on hand to pack your shares in, but sometimes we don’t! (Also, our produce is not packaged in any way, so bringing your own bags is important if you want produce kept separate within a larger container. This is a small way we can reduce farm plastic waste. One member last year let us know that their plastic waste is reduced by half when they are picking up shares from the farm - great news!)
- Check off your name on the sign-in sheet before collecting your share from the barn. Organized by share size and alphabetically by last name.- Follow harvest amounts written on the chalk boards labeled with your share size (full, half, medium).
- If you need help with anything please feel free to ask a Farm Staffer in the barn for help at anytime!
- Parking is available in the large stone lot at the end of the driveway. Parking next to the barn is available for people with physical challenges and for cars with sleeping kids.
- Driveway speed limit is 10 mph! Thank you in advance for keeping our farm safe for members, kids, farmers and animals that are out and about.
May 14, 2023
May 14, 2023 A Note On Storage by Farmer Dana
Over the years many members have asked what the best way to store farm veggies is. Ours is probably not the best storage method but it works just super for us. We hang on to plastic bags that we acquire through other purchases and repurpose them, rinsing and drying them between uses. Big bags (like 2 gallon zip lock bags) work the best. In general we group similar items in the bags with each other. For example with this harvest I put lettuces together, kale and bok choy together, the roots and green garlic together, and the swiss chard all by its little lonesome. Then store in the refrigerator, not in the very back or on the top, or wherever is susceptible to freezing in your fridge. Easy peasy.
Over the years many members have asked what the best way to store farm veggies is. Ours is probably not the best storage method but it works just super for us. We hang on to plastic bags that we acquire through other purchases and repurpose them, rinsing and drying them between uses. Big bags (like 2 gallon zip lock bags) work the best. In general we group similar items in the bags with each other. For example with this harvest I put lettuces together, kale and bok choy together, the roots and green garlic together, and the swiss chard all by its little lonesome. Then store in the refrigerator, not in the very back or on the top, or wherever is susceptible to freezing in your fridge. Easy peasy.
May 14, 2023
May 14, 2023 U-Pick Information by Farmer Dana
**Currently there are no u-pick crops available. Most likely u-pick will commence during week 3 or 4 with peas, strawberries, and herbs.**
- Check the u-pick board in the hallway for u-pick crops and amounts before picking. Amounts listed are per share.
- Only crops listed on the board are available for u-pick.
- U-pick crops and weekly allotments can be harvested any day of the week, 8am–8pm Monday through Sunday of your pick up week. So if you can’t do your u-pick on your scheduled pick up day, feel free to come back any other day that week.
- BYO scissors for herbs and flowers.
- We provide half-pint, pint, and quart u-pick baskets for members to measure and harvest into. Please save these and reuse them as much as possible. If you have some that are still in good shape at the end of the season we'll gladly accept them back.
**Currently there are no u-pick crops available. Most likely u-pick will commence during week 3 or 4 with peas, strawberries, and herbs.**
- Check the u-pick board in the hallway for u-pick crops and amounts before picking. Amounts listed are per share.
- Only crops listed on the board are available for u-pick.
- U-pick crops and weekly allotments can be harvested any day of the week, 8am–8pm Monday through Sunday of your pick up week. So if you can’t do your u-pick on your scheduled pick up day, feel free to come back any other day that week.
- BYO scissors for herbs and flowers.
- We provide half-pint, pint, and quart u-pick baskets for members to measure and harvest into. Please save these and reuse them as much as possible. If you have some that are still in good shape at the end of the season we'll gladly accept them back.
How I Enjoyed My Harvest | May 14, 2023
How I Enjoyed My Harvest | May 14, 2023 Green Garlic and More by Linda Dansbury
The other patch of very early outdoor transplants (beets, chard, escarole, lettuce, romaine, cilantro, dill), ready for a drink of water.
The volume and/or variety of veggies can sometimes overwhelm members, especially new ones with how to use the sometimes huge harvest we receive. Sharing with members is a great way to learn new ways of using things - this is where I share what I did to enjoy my harvest. I encourage members to do the same by emailing me at Lindadansbury@comcast.net. You can email me recipes (if they are different enough from what is already on the site, I will add it the archived recipes), methods and even questions. It has only been a few days since I received my harvest, but here are a couple if things I made.
Green garlic, bok choy, chili pepper (frozen from last year's harvest) - I sauteed green garlic and onion and locally grown shitake mushrooms for a couple of minutes in oil. When getting a bit soft, I added the bok choy stems, chopped chili pepper, and sauteed for another minute. Finally added the chopped bok choy leaves and cooked till wilted. I added a bit of sesame oil along with salt and pepper at the end, but you can change it up by adding Italian seasoning or your favorite blend. Also, Swiss chard and spinach work equally well here - when using Swiss chard, chop the stems and saute them along with the onion and green garlic.
Lettuce mix, bok choy, arugula, radish - I love using multiple types of greens in salads - they provide colors, textures and flavors. I made a simple dressing of olive oil, red wine vinegar, dijon mustard, salt and pepper. I do about 3-4 parts oil to 1 part vinegar. Try recipes from this site to make your own dressing.
The other patch of very early outdoor transplants (beets, chard, escarole, lettuce, romaine, cilantro, dill), ready for a drink of water.
The volume and/or variety of veggies can sometimes overwhelm members, especially new ones with how to use the sometimes huge harvest we receive. Sharing with members is a great way to learn new ways of using things - this is where I share what I did to enjoy my harvest. I encourage members to do the same by emailing me at Lindadansbury@comcast.net. You can email me recipes (if they are different enough from what is already on the site, I will add it the archived recipes), methods and even questions. It has only been a few days since I received my harvest, but here are a couple if things I made.
Green garlic, bok choy, chili pepper (frozen from last year's harvest) - I sauteed green garlic and onion and locally grown shitake mushrooms for a couple of minutes in oil. When getting a bit soft, I added the bok choy stems, chopped chili pepper, and sauteed for another minute. Finally added the chopped bok choy leaves and cooked till wilted. I added a bit of sesame oil along with salt and pepper at the end, but you can change it up by adding Italian seasoning or your favorite blend. Also, Swiss chard and spinach work equally well here - when using Swiss chard, chop the stems and saute them along with the onion and green garlic.
Lettuce mix, bok choy, arugula, radish - I love using multiple types of greens in salads - they provide colors, textures and flavors. I made a simple dressing of olive oil, red wine vinegar, dijon mustard, salt and pepper. I do about 3-4 parts oil to 1 part vinegar. Try recipes from this site to make your own dressing.
Expected Harvest | May 7, 2023
Expected Harvest | May 7, 2023 Welcome! by Farmer Derek
Thanks to these relatively simple structures, and a warm spring, pick up commences earlier this season. Bok choy, radishes, and turnips are shown above.
Harvest #1 (Week A) should include kale, lettuce mix, arugula, chard, salad radishes, hakurei turnips, bok choy, daikon radishes, watermelon radishes, garlic chives, and green garlic. Some items will be a choice. No u-pick yet.
FYI we do our best to predict the harvest but we don't always get it 100% right.
Thanks to these relatively simple structures, and a warm spring, pick up commences earlier this season. Bok choy, radishes, and turnips are shown above.
Harvest #1 (Week A) should include kale, lettuce mix, arugula, chard, salad radishes, hakurei turnips, bok choy, daikon radishes, watermelon radishes, garlic chives, and green garlic. Some items will be a choice. No u-pick yet.
FYI we do our best to predict the harvest but we don't always get it 100% right.
May 7, 2023
May 7, 2023 Pick Up Days and Times Plus Farm Communication by Farmer Dana
Farmers Adeline, Gabby, and Connor transplanting zucchini and cucumbers.
- Pick up days are Tuesdays 1-8pm, Thursdays 1-8pm, and Saturdays 10am–12pm. You're assigned a permanent pick up day but you may temporarily switch to a different day or week.
**Please note there is usually a rush right at 1 pm. If you're looking to avoid a crowd, consider the 3 o'clock hour.**
- If you need to temporarily switch your pick up day and/or week, please email us by 5pm the Sunday prior to the week of the change.
- After each pick up we'll look at the sign in sheets and if your name is not checked off we will contact you to see if you did miss pick up and want to reschedule.
- We sent an email earlier last weekend reminding you of your designated pick up day and week. Please email us if you did not receive it. It was sent to the primary account holder's email address. If you did not receive it in your inbox, check spam or another folder. It's a good idea to make sure our emails end up in a place you'll notice them since this is how we communicate farm information, events, etc.
- You can log in and view your information on your members page, including share size, pick up day, work history, and balance.
Farmers Adeline, Gabby, and Connor transplanting zucchini and cucumbers.
- Pick up days are Tuesdays 1-8pm, Thursdays 1-8pm, and Saturdays 10am–12pm. You're assigned a permanent pick up day but you may temporarily switch to a different day or week.
**Please note there is usually a rush right at 1 pm. If you're looking to avoid a crowd, consider the 3 o'clock hour.**
- If you need to temporarily switch your pick up day and/or week, please email us by 5pm the Sunday prior to the week of the change.
- After each pick up we'll look at the sign in sheets and if your name is not checked off we will contact you to see if you did miss pick up and want to reschedule.
- We sent an email earlier last weekend reminding you of your designated pick up day and week. Please email us if you did not receive it. It was sent to the primary account holder's email address. If you did not receive it in your inbox, check spam or another folder. It's a good idea to make sure our emails end up in a place you'll notice them since this is how we communicate farm information, events, etc.
- You can log in and view your information on your members page, including share size, pick up day, work history, and balance.
May 7, 2023
May 7, 2023 Pick Up Essentials by Farmer Dana
Eastern American Toad
- BYO baskets/bags/boxes to bring your harvest home. Sometimes we have donated shopping bags on hand to pack your shares in, but sometimes we don’t! (Also, our produce is not packaged in any way, so bringing your own bags is important if you want produce kept separate within a larger container. This is a small way we can reduce farm plastic waste. One member last year let us know that their plastic waste is reduced by half when they are picking up shares from the farm - great news!)
- Check off your name on the sign-in sheet before collecting your share from the barn. Organized by share size and alphabetically by last name.
- Follow harvest amounts written on the chalk boards labeled with your share size (full, half, medium).
- If you need help with anything please feel free to ask a Farm Staffer in the barn for help at anytime!
- Parking is available in the large stone lot at the end of the driveway. Parking next to the barn is available for people with physical challenges and for cars with sleeping kids.
- Driveway speed limit is 10 mph! Thank you in advance for keeping our farm safe for members, kids, farmers and animals that are out and about.
- BYO baskets/bags/boxes to bring your harvest home. Sometimes we have donated shopping bags on hand to pack your shares in, but sometimes we don’t! (Also, our produce is not packaged in any way, so bringing your own bags is important if you want produce kept separate within a larger container. This is a small way we can reduce farm plastic waste. One member last year let us know that their plastic waste is reduced by half when they are picking up shares from the farm - great news!)
- Check off your name on the sign-in sheet before collecting your share from the barn. Organized by share size and alphabetically by last name.
- Follow harvest amounts written on the chalk boards labeled with your share size (full, half, medium).
- If you need help with anything please feel free to ask a Farm Staffer in the barn for help at anytime!
- Parking is available in the large stone lot at the end of the driveway. Parking next to the barn is available for people with physical challenges and for cars with sleeping kids.
- Driveway speed limit is 10 mph! Thank you in advance for keeping our farm safe for members, kids, farmers and animals that are out and about.
