CSA Week 9
halfway through share season! august's arrival!
There is nothing like August on a farm. The list of to-do’s continues to pile up as the harvests lengthen in time. It feels miraculous to admire the field in it’s bountiful state & to continue looking forward with each challenging task at hand. There are just a few more weeks of field planting & seeding before fall sun begins to limit growth. Within this time period turnip, fresh radish, winter radish, & salad varieties will greet the soil. Trellising is still top of mind, alongside big weeding projects (fall carrots & beets!), bulk harvests (onions & winter squash, soon!), & greenhouse work (winter hoophouse crops!).
All the while, there is this intense beauty happening. I will dwell on this aspect of August with a little list of pick-me-ups…..
~ the tomatoes in the hoophouses have far surpassed our heads, fruit is blushing with so much vibrancy!
~ the buckwheat in the fall brassica walkways is a magical weed suppressant. And it looks beautiful!
~ every meal is herby, refreshing, & colorful!
~ the winter squash is looking extravagant….. not to jinx it, but we are very hopeful for a redeeming harvest after last year’s field of deer food.
~ marigolds, sunflowers, & cosmos are the first beds planted as you enter the field this year. Their current blooms are very welcoming & enjoyable!
~ we harvested the first ripe watermelon yesterday! Something to look forward to in shares very soon :)
~ Kent county’s strike team is out on the property this week to help clear invasive plants that are, of course, thriving. I am really looking forward to planting natives near the seasonal creek & pond to replace the multi-flora rose, barberry, & bittersweet.
~ this year the wash / pack has really come together, thanks in large part to Brian’s organizing. Been feeling so grateful for the efficiencies, food safety improvements…. & spot of shade.
~ the rose milkweed planted outside of production spaces has attracted monarchs.
~ the fall napa cabbages look incredible so far. Thinking of a winter with kimchi!
~ a few years ago a friend gifted an elderberry tree to me, with this being the plant’s first season of significant growth… & elderflowers. This morning I bottled up a freshly fermented, floral soda. A joy!
~ the peppers are not yet ripe, but the plants are full of flowers, fruit, & deep green leaves.
…. the notes could continue on & on & on. There is no shortage of wild & impressive life occurring.
BULK ORDERS!
If you would like to purchase bulk basil or tomatoes, please email stillwindfarm@proton.me BEFORE pickup so that we can prepare your pre-order. Currently tomatoes are more limited than basil. We will let you know if we sell out of flats upon reaching out.
Details:
Tomatoes - sold as flats for $35
Basil - $14 / lb
Recipe ideas:
Canned crushed tomatoes… this is how I process tomatoes because crushed tomatoes are very flexible for future recipes & it is more efficient than preparing multiple recipes (but sauces, ketchup, chutneys, salsas are fun to make as well!!!)
CSA Harvest Week 9
This is our best guess of what will be in your share! Harvest list subject to changes :)
~ Arugula
~ Summer squash / zucchini or eggplant
~ Choose two herbs (parsley, basil, tulsi)
~ Heirloom tomatoes
~ Cherry tomatoes, jalapenos, or shishitos
~ Fresh onion
~ Pea shoots
~ Turnips
See this newsletter for tips on veggie storage!
Recipe Ideas…
Braised chickpeas with zucchini & pesto - a CSA member recommended this dish & it looks lovely!
Blueberry zucchini bread - I have been thinking about blueberry zuke bread for days. Hopefully a loaf is in the near future :,)
Za’atar tomato sauce & pasta
Turnip salad - similar to potato salad, but with turnips
As always, feel free to reach out with questions or thoughts!
Mik