CSA 17

I love the first time I take someone out back for a walk, the reaction is always the same.  People just can't believe how big it is and everything we have going on.  And, there sure is a lot going on!  Always.

In your baskets this week:

Chez Nous Salad Mix
Kale
Bok Choy
Beets
Fennel

X-tra Greens: Cucumbers, Kohlrabi

Lots of really nice Kale going on.

 A new cabbage: Wirosa Savoy

Kales, Collards and lots of Mustards... you can expect mustard next week!

CSA 16

Monday September 21

At this point in the season, our farm is slowly being taken over by greens, which in the off season will be our main source of income.  Summer crops such as beans, zucchini, potatoes,tomatoes and peppers are being uprooted and replaced with mustard greens, kales, spinach and Asian greens.

It feels good to transition except for one part, the greenhouse which contains some beautiful cherry tomato plants that also need to be replaced with greens, greens that will not mind the odd freeze and which do well in cold temperatures.

Our garlic field is being prepared nice and early, nothing worse than waiting and then not being able to get the garlic planted because the beds aren't ready and can't be prepared due to wet soil.

It's a very busy time!

In your baskets this week:

Salad Mix
Swiss Chard
Potatoes
Peppers
Zucchini
Tomatoes

Extra greens: Flower Sprout Greens(use like Kale), Cucumber and Radish Sprouts

We have more greens than ever this year!

Ruby Streaks and spicy Mustard Green in the Mustard mix and your Salad Mix

More mustards

Flower Sprouts and Cabbages

Have a great week!

CSA #15

Saturday September 12

Good morning

A rainy day? Seems like it's really been a long time since it's rained.  One thing i like about a rainy day is that i can get stuff done in the house and not feel guilty. There is always so much to do out there, there still is, but some jobs can't be done in the rain so the list is shorter today and i can accept that.  It's only 8:30 and i've already done dishes, laundry and supper is marinating and now a little time to look back at my week.

In your baskets this week:

Potatoes
Carrots
Bok Choy
Zucchini
Beans

Extra Greens: Baby Kale, Napa leaves and a cucumber

September is a month abundant in beans, lots of beans. It also used to be the time when i went back to work and worried about all the beans i was not picking.  Seems kinda silly now but boy did that used to stress me out! I am grateful to be a full time farmer now where i can almost keep up with them beans.

 One basket after another, this seems the be the perfect size basket to harvest at a time. It allows me to get up and unseize my back a little!

My favourite way to cook beans is still Michael Smiths recipe Brown Butter Beans :it calls for almonds sometimes i replace them with herbs such as sage or savoury. http://chefmichaelsmith.com/recipe/brown-butter-green-beans-with-toasted-almonds/

Last Fall i grew Bok Choy and have become huge fan.  I have 3 kinds i am going this year. Some of you got baby and others big.  I love Bok Choy with flavours such as ginger, soy and peanut oil!

Napa Cabbage and a purple variety below 

Fall, Winter we become a greens farm.....

And next...too many pictures of a hummingbird! Have a great weekend!

CSA 14

Friday September 4th

Hello members

It's a very busy time of year for us, so this weeks newsletter is short and sweet. Enjoy your long weekend!

In your basket this week:

tomatoes
bean mix
peppers
zucchini
carrots
basil

extra greens: beets, bok choy and cucumber


We are hoping that with this extra hot weather the baskets get picked up quickly and we are looking forward to some cooler temps.

Shirley

CSA 13

Saturday Aug 29

Never did i think that writing this blog would be so difficult but lately parking my butt in front of a computer seems to be last on my list of priorities.   My apologies for the lack of a newsletter last week.  Things are moving along as they should.   Nights are getting cold and tomatoes are starting to let go which is fine, I am ready to concentrate on other things.

In your basket this week:

Chez Nous Salad Mix
Tomatoes
Zucchini/  sweet pepper
Ground Cherries ( in the little husk)
3 Garlic
Beets

X-greens..Bok Choy and an extra Salad Mix

A few pictures...

Add caption

Damascus Steel ..very neat looking!

Bosque Plum plants are loaded 

Maylor Roth Brandywine....doesn't seem prone to cracking like so many others.

10 rows of carrots seeded for winter

 My flowers, I have started experimenting with cut flowers.
Zinnias of all colors are going crazy here.

The best part has been seeing all the creatures they attract!

Till next week
Shirley

CSA 11

Sunday Aug 16

Hello everyone

So glad the warmer weather is back, I'm not ready to bid farewell  to summer...not yet.  Friday night's heavy rain allowed us to see our new drainage at work.  It was a beautiful sight...watching the overload of water making it's way from all parts of the farm to the chicken pasture.  Knowing, that the days, to sometimes weeks, of endless rain and flooding our gardens are behind us!  Sure the beds stay wet due to our clay soil but the dry up time is reasonable.

In your baskets this week:

Tomatoes
cucumber
zucchini/ summer squash
Garlic...one Siberian...and one Bogatyr
Beans
Hot Peppers...Jalapeno's, Chimayo, Aji Cristal, Hot Wax or Maules Red hot.

Extra Greens: Salad Mix and some beets with tops

A favourite this year is not new to me but a real standout this year! Anna Russian you are beautiful and taste incredible!!!!

Hauling from the field regularly now

These creepy snakes hanging from the ceiling...Thai Long beans

Installed the drainage pipe this week...just on time!

While the swales help channel water away from the gardens the drainage pipe take over when the water flow is very heavy.

We had all our ditched turned into swales, instead of ditches. It's easier for us to get around with wheelbarrows and equipement.  These still need to be seeded with White Clover.

Charlie the farm dog...such a popular guy at the plant sale...is always watching!

CSA 10

Friday Aug 7th

"In my years as at this job, I have yet to hear a farmer say he was having a good year." words by our organic inspector this week. He was speaking in regards to our thoughts on how negatively the wet spring affected us. We laughed when he said this because we knew how true it is ..every year there is something!   I guess it's just the expectations and high hopes we have every season.... the vision of perfection.  A good little reminder that we need to stay positive, always.  

It was nice to hear our inspector comment on the colour we have going at this point...it was the most he has seen.  We did get the hot crops in right on time this year.  Tomatoes have been such a hit.  This weekend i am working on my first batch of Paprika and i have more peppers at this point then i had end of season last year.  Very cool.

In your baskets this week:

Chez Nous Salad Mix
1 head of Crisp Mint Lettuce
Tomatoes
Sweet Peppers
Celtuce ...peel, and cook a little so it is still crunchy...add salt.
Cucumber

Greens upgrade: alos got Kale, Sunflower Sprouts and Dill

Celtuce ...a very strange veggie.  If your a fan of Water Chestnuts you should enjoy it's crunchy texture.

This year's tomatoes are insanely gorgeous! 

Pink Siberian Tiger

Pink Siberian Tiger ...further along 

A ripe Pink Siberian Tiger Tomato

Paprika peppers

Thanks everyone

Have a wonderful week!