{2012 CSA Season @ a Glance}

Here's a shortcut to the entire 2012 season :)


Weeks:


1               7              13

2               8              14

3               9              15

4              10             16

5              11             17

6              12             18

Fall Planting

What? Planting in fall?! Yes indeed.

Of course the main fall crop we plant is garlic. Garlic is planted in the fall to have enough time to grow to it's fully mature size, come July next summer.

This is Russian Red, one of three varieties we are planting this fall.

We also planted our first fall shallots. These (below) are a French Gray variety.

This (below) is the bed we prepared for the fall planting. Five rows planted down either side, with a skinny foot-path down the middle. The planting is now dressed with wheat-straw mulch.

Above and below you can see the planting method we were using. John rigged up a planting marker we used to mark the holes, so it made a nice grid. When we were working together it was pretty fast and efficient, with him marking, me lying the seed out, then we would both go back and plant. It took a little longer by myself, but it made for easy planting.

Here (above) you can see the shallots layed out on the planting grid. With the planting marker stood up it can be stepped on, then the bolts mark the planting holes.

Hooray! Can't wait to see these guys poking up through the mulch come spring--when everything else is brown and still waking :)

CSA :: Week 18

We delivered the last week of boxes yesterday--a fabulous end to a great season! You can find the Week 18 newsletter online here. Have a great off season!

October 9th, 2012 CSA Box ~ Week 18

In the final box: Red Russian kale, butternut squash, 1.5lbs apples, yellow onion, Black Krim tomatoes, German Pink tomato, Valencia tomato, 1lb parsnips, 2lbs Green Mountain potatoes.

CSA :: Week 17

Wow, I can't believe it is Week 17 already--it's been a great season, and it seems to have gone fast at this point.  You can find the newsletter for Week 17 here.

It is great to have the fall veggies here--the fall carrots are the best, it's time for delicious parsnips, and the fall cabbage has come in nicely, despite the heat.

 A a little sneak peek inside the box...

October 2, 2012 CSA Box • Week 17

In the box: fall apples, mixed heirloom carrots, cabbage, cherry tomatoes, green bell pepper, German Pink heirloom tomato, kohlrabi, Green Mountain heirloom potatoes, parsnips, kale, garlic, red onion.

CSA :: Week 16

Week 16 boxes delivered--only 2 weeks more left in the season! You can find the Week 16 newsletter online here. Wonderful to have fall veggies, such as butternut squash! I have included an extra picture of INSIDE the box this week--it was just so pretty I couldn't help myself!

Inside the Week 16 box.

Inside the box: green bell peppers, red bell pepper, fall apples (Honeygold, Regent, Haralson), butternut squash, Red Russian kale, ground cherries, cherry tomatoes, Green Mountain heirloom potatoes, Black Krim tomato, Costoluto Genovese tomato, leeks

Sept. 25, 2012 CSA Box • Week 16

CSA :: Week 15

Week 15 boxes were delivered last Tuesday, Sept. 18th. Fall officially started Saturday the 22nd. You can find the Week 15 newsletter online here.

Sept. 18th CSA Box ~ Week 15

In the box: red & green bell pepper, apples, acorn squash, green & red cabbage, ground cherries, cherry tomatoes, tomatoes, green onions, yellow onion, sage, carrots, Sultan's Golden Crescent wax beans, poblano hot pepper.

CSA :: Week 14

The Week 14 boxes were great--beautiful watermelon and delicious wax beans! You can find the Week 14 newsletter online here.

Sept. 11 CSA Box ~ Week 14

In the Box: Apples, Moon & Stars watermelon, Dino kale, red bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, ground cherries, yellow wax beans, broccoli, Black Krim & Valencia tomato, green snap beans, red onion, yellow onion, Wapsipinicon Peach tomatoes.

CSA :: Week 13

I can't believe how deep we are into the season already :) I am thrilled to be back into the part of the year where rain is more likely, however. You can find the Week 13 newsletter online here--there is a nice little article on food waste, a fresh salsa recipe, and a warm cabbage-slaw recipe! Enjoy.

September 4, 2012 ~ CSA Box Week 13

In the box: a bunch of basil, parsley, apples, Thelma Sanders acorn squash, yellow onion, kohlrabi, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, cabbage, carrots, ground cherries, celery, sweet corn, cherry tomatoes, garlic, tomatoes, wax beans, snap beans, serrano peppers, kale.

CSA :: Week 12

We are two thirds of the way through the CSA season with delivering the Week 12 boxes this week. The boxes were bountiful & unable to close! This the season :)

You can find the newsletter for Week 12 online here. If you would like to get on our mailing list, please just shoot us an email--we have some produce for sale at this time of the year & we will send out updates to our mailing list, or you can also see these updates on facebook here.

August 28th, 2012 CSA Box ~ Week 12

In the box this week: bread zucchini, baby beets, celery, apples, ground cherries, broccoli, baby cabbages, cucumbers, kale, cherry tomatoes, tomatoes, All Blue potatoes, Dragon's Tongue beans, onions.

Orchard Photo Update :: Apple Picking 8.26

We had a wonderful volunteer day out at the orchard on Sunday! We had a nice crew of about 12 people helping us to clean up the orchard floor, from dropped apples and harvest ripe fruit.

 Getting ready to start the day--John had a little demo area all set up.

 Heading out into the orchard to pick!

 John's dad Larry, John and Mark Dauer, previous orchard manager from about 10 years ago. Mark came over to help in identifying the apple varieties that were ripe. We believe we have some McIntosh, Wealthy, Harelson, Honey Gold, and State Fair, among others. What an amazing help! Thanks Mark. Also a big thanks to Larry for helping to map and take notes!

 Thanks Megan, Matt & Miles for your help :)

The Orchardist

John picking apples, in between instructing volunteers.

 Loading up the dropped apples. Some will be burned, to eliminate pests. Some will be pig food.

 Nicole and Ben--thanks for your help!

 Beauty.

 At the end of the work day, after a generous meal of Goose Stew--cooked with apples from the orchard--made by orchard owner Marv Augustin. The crew all had a great time, and we have some great apples!

CSA :: Week 11

Week 11 boxes are delivered, you have find the newsletter here. We were very excited to included 3 new items that are all FRUIT in this weeks box--watermelon, tomato and apples! It is very exciting to start picking apples. Copied below is also a note about the orchard we included in the Week 11 boxes.

In the box this week: baby Detroit Dark Redbeets, Golden & Forhook giant swiss chard, red & yellow apples, Kentucky Wonder green beans, genovese basil, Creme de Saskatchwan watermelon, Aunt Molly's ground cherries, Early White Vienna kohlrabi, Red Baron & Yellow of Parma onions, Costata Romanesco zucchini, Early Jalapeno peppers, California Wonder green pepper, tomato mix: Black Krim/Valiencia/Costoluto Genovese, DeCicco broccoli.

"The weeks until apple harvest are quickly arriving and we are already starting to pick the fruits of our labor.  Although this is very early in the apple season, due likely environmental conditions, apples are beginning to ripen—and WOW are they good.  To an apple eater, drought during the ripening period is a good thing, since it concentrates the sugars in the apple, making them sweeter.  In your box there are a variety of apples of different sizes, flavors and colors.  When we started managing the orchard there was no map or identification of the individual trees, so at this point, until we identify them when they are fully ripe we are only guessing at varieties—but I assure you that your pallet will be pleasantly surprised.  Take the time to sample the apples separately and enjoy the different flavors, some are super sweet and some are more tart—one even tastes like wine!"

CSA :: Week 10

Week 10 boxes were delivered yesterday. It was exciting to deliver the first tomatoes--even if they were little yellow pears! The Week 10 newsletter can be found online here.

August 14, 2012 • CSA Box Week 10

In the boxes: Snap beans (Kentucky Wonder), Wax Beans (Dragon's Tongue), Basil, Ground Cherries, Broccoli, Beets with greens, Poona Kheera (yellow) cucumber, Suyo Long cucumber, Dino Kale, Onion, Kohlrabi, Shallots, Green Peppers, Yellow Pear tomatoes.

CSA :: Week 9

Week 9 marks a half-way point in our CSA season! All our boxes had a special little treat in them this week--a reusable snack bag! Even better, they were made by one of our very own CSA members, Megan Burris, of Megan Louise Designs. Find the Week 9 newsletter online here.

CSA Box August 7, 2012 ~ Week 9

In the boxes: beets, red cabbage, 2 varieties of snap beans, sunflowers, ground cherries, reusable snack bag, onion, kohlrabi, zucchini, sweet green peppers, 2 varieties of cucumber.

CSA :: Week 8

Week 8 boxes are delivered this week, first peppers of the season, and the ground cherries are really going now! The Week 8 newsletter is available online here.

July 31, 2012 ~ CSA Box Week 8

In the box: zucchini, small bunch of flowers (sunflower/zinnia), bunch of kale, ground cherries, 3 varieties of cucumbers (Poona Kheera-yellow, Suyo Long-long, Double Yield-front), broccoli, bunch of basil, carrots, white onion, red onion, garlic, shallots, green beans, jalapenos.

CSA :: Week 7

Week 7 boxes are delivered! View the newsletter here.

July 24, 2012 ~ Week 7 Box

In the box this week: Early Jersey Wakefield cabbage, zucchini, bundle of swiss chard, a kohlrabi, Red Gold potatoes, Double Yield cucumbers (green), Poona Kheera cucumbers (yellowish), Aunt Molly's ground cherries, white onions and Dino kale. All heirloom varieties.

CSA :: Week 6

We are one third of the way through our CSA season, with the delivery of our Week 6 boxes today. We have also begun delivering to our Farm Share members as well. Here's a pic of what was in the boxes today, and you can find the Week 6 Newsletter online here.

July 17, 2012 ~ CSA Week 6

In the boxes we have: a bundle of basil, an onion, a bundle of beets W/ greens, broccoli, a head of cabbage, carrots, zucchini (including one "vacation" sized), Armenian cucumber (long slender green), Poona Kheera cucumber (yellow), & Valentine heirloom sunflowers.

CSA :: Week 5

My apologies for this being a little slow :) After we delivered boxes on Tuesday we headed straight up North, for a few days vacation with the Knisley family.  It was wonderful. Now back to business! We delivered boxes for week 5 this past Tuesday; you can find a copy of the newsletter for Week 5 here.

CSA Box Week 5 • July 10, 2012

In the boxes this week we had: kale, zucchini, small cut flower bouquet, bunching onions, cucumbers, early potatoes, snap peas, swiss chard, shallots, rosemary.

CSA :: Week 4

On Tuesday we delivered out fourth week of produce for the season for our CSA members.  It was wonderful to harvest our first potatoes and kohlrabi of the season.

Our Week 4 newsletter is available here.

July 3rd, 2012 • CSA Week 4

In this week's box: spinach, kohlrabi, radishes, an onion, snap peas, basil, nasturtium flowers, beets with greens, potatoes, shell peas and thyme.

Photo Update 6.27.12

Oh my! It has been 2 weeks since I did a photo update. I haven't been slacking though--I've just been outside with work more than in :)

Farming life lately has been all about logistics--there has been a lot of little details to work out regarding CSA boxes and delivery, figuring out pricing for our produce, and getting ready to head to farmers' market in the next couple weeks! Then becoming more efficient and everything we do.  So, whew, here is a little photo break from all of that...then back out to weed, trellis tomatoes (got the posts in this morning), mulch, practice setting up the market tent, and hang some laundry on the line.  Enjoy the large photo tour :)

Cucumbers--tiny ones have started, so it won't be long now!

 Part of our requirement for organic certification is to have a buffer zone of at least 30'.  We will be planting 30' field border with native grasses and forbs (flowering plants) to increase wildlife habitat and attract pollinators and other beneficial insect.  At 30' we are going to be planting small trees/shrubs to aid with wind protection for our field.  We started planting willows last week.

John planting our first willows (narrow-leaved variety), that will
attract beneficial insects and protect against wind.

We're cutting back our first planting of buckwheat this week.  It was planted as a cover crop (smother weeds, add organic matter, good for pollinators).  We will be planting another succession of buckwheat after we work in the organic matter.  We will be cutting it with our brand new scythe--I took it for a test-drive this morning.  I'm ready.

It's soooo awesome.

Emily monitoring for cabbageworms on the brussel sprouts.

Mother Schneider came down last weekend and helped
weed the tomatoes--thanks mom!

John's dad, Larry, came and helped work on framing in the walk-in
cooler--thanks Larry!

 The walk-in' cooler now has two walls framed in and the door installed!  It's really coming along.  And thank you Betsy for donating flooring for in the cooler!  The generosity of time and materials is greatly appreciated!!  Now we have everything we need to get this project finished--time is the only matter.

John, and a partial cooler wall.

This spring was wet.  Just wet. We spoke with a farmer mentor & friend of our this week (we reach out to our farmer network when we have questions) and he said that this has been a terrible farming year.  Given that perspective we feel pretty good about where we are at, and pretty thankful that we didn't have any extensive damage due to flooding or hail  That being said, we did loose some lettuce, the first planting of chard and turnips--the latest victim being the garlic.  Here it is, looking a little sad from the deluge of rain in May--we expect lower yields this year, the scape harvest was lower as well.

The garlic is drying down to early, and some bulbs are
rotted from the moisture, but there's still bulbing going on
in there--just not as much as hoped for.

Sunset on the farm.

Buckwheat was planted in this bed, then fall broccoli seeded
down the middle. I just took out the buckwheat and left
it as mulch.

Dino, or Lacinato, Kale

Parsnips, radishes, parsnips.

Four sowing of beets and kohlrabi--the fourth is just
starting to germinate.

Onions are bulbing.

Early Jersey Wakefield cabbage--a beaut.  Staring
to form its elongated heads.

Celery is a water hog, I made it happy by mulching it
yesterday. (Cucumbers on the trellis.)

The re-sowing of chard is coming along, bordered
by onions.

Two beds of tomatoes were mulched yesterday,
we'll finish the rest today, and start
trellising them.

Bean are a climbin'.

Blue potatoes, purple flowers.

Squash is flowering and starting to wander.

Three successions of corn.

And the last pic, this is what I am so excited about! Guess what it is....rhubarb.  Tiny little darling rhubarbs now=rhubarb in the spring.  With this variety I expect to be able to cut it next spring already, so there should be enough for our 2013 CSA boxes, what a delight!

Rhubarb seedlings.