CSA Pik up 19 October 20 2011

This is the next to the last pick up. There are not as many vegetables this week because we are coming to the end of the growing season. The cover crops are doing well because of all the rain. Speaking of rain, I could not get into the fields to dig the Sweet Potatoes yet. That is on the job list for this weekend because it is suppose to be sunny. They then have to cure for 2 to 3 weeks. I just hope the voles have not devoured all the potatoes. That is the gamble I have to take.

I planted all 1100 cloves of garlic in amongst the Oat cover crop this week. It is so exciting to be thinking about Spring and new garlic pushing its little heads up through the Oat mulch.
The Brussels sprouts are starting to form which is really exciting. With them being late I am moving my last pick up to November 17th which is the Thursday before Thanksgiving. I will also have the horseradish dug and there will be greens, Kale, like I mentioned above Sweet Potatoes if the voles save us some.

Looking forward to seeing you

Nancy

CSA Pick up Oct 13, 2011

CSA Pick Up Oct 6

Happy New Month!! Fall is definitely upon us. I can hardly believe it is October already. It has been a cool damp week with all the rain, rain, rain. The tomatoes are at the end of their season. The rain made them split more. There maybe a few to choose from this week but you will be lucky to find one good one to take put in your bag. :(. The Eggplant is also tired and at its ending point. The Broccoli did not like all the rain so after regrouping from the attack by the ground hog and trying to rebound, the rain said "I got you again". Such is life on the farm.

The Beans are doing well and the Chard is really happy. I know some of you are about full of chard. I have started blanching it in boiling water for 2 minutes and then cooling it down in ice water. Draining it and putting it in freezer bags and in to the freezer. This winter Chard will be a nice addition to a warm soup or stew.

We have winter squash this week too . A lot of them are small because the cool weather in combo with the rain was perfect for the downy mildew to take over. A little is better than none so enjoy.

The rain beat down on my lettuce and tore it up. So there will not be lettuce this week. I am trying to revive it by covering it with the white remay. We will see.

The Brussels Sprouts have little babies so I am hoping the sun the next couple of days will help them get bigger.

See you this afternoon
Nancy

CSA Pick up Sept 29

Fall is definitely upon us. The shorter days and longer nights, all the rain, and the cooler days. This changes the garden quite a bit. Everything slows down in growing and maturing. The warm weather plants - Tomatoes, peppers, Eggplant are slowing down. It is a different story for the cool weather plants. The Chard looks gorgeous, the Kale is coming into its own. The Brussels Sprouts are finally making their little appearance on the stem. I sure hope they continue to grow so I can share them with you by the end of October.
I have been busy weeding all the crab grass out of the beds and planting Oats, buckwheat and field peas in the beds among the vegetables. This will give a blanket to protect the soil over the winter.
The second crop of pole beans are up to the top of the netting and looking good. The cucumbers on the other hand are really struggling with Downy Mildew. I am trying to keep them alive but only time will tell.
The Bees are busy getting ready for winter also, I have been feeding them sugar syrup and they have been devouring 2 quarts of syrup every 5 days. The North hive is small and needs lots of help or they may not make it. The South hive is strong. They should not have any trouble making it through the winter.
Looking forward to seeing you this week.

Nancy

CSA Pick up Sept 22

CSA Pick up Sept 15th

Sorry this post is late. It is for the pick up that occured on Thursday Sept 15th. Lately I seem to be behind in everything. I would like to blame it on the weather or something besides me but don't think that is quite the case. Any way here it is it any of you need to refer to it.

The weather has been quite cool. It is like fall here so of course all the hot plants like tomatoes, peppers, Eggplant have slowed down considerably. There are still fruit on them but they are taking their time ripening. Now the Greens and lettuce have perked up and the pole bean second planting has decided to make some beans. The garden still looks good except for the cucumbers that are struggling with Downy Mildew. They don't like the cool damp weather. I hope they can hold on and make some cucumbers. I sprayed them with a Organic fungal herbal mixture and I hope they like it. We will keep our fingers crossed.

It is time to start cover croping the garden also. I have 3 50ft. rows planted. Now for the tedious part of planting between the vegetables. I am excited to see the Oats and Barley come up so fast. It makes a nice cover for the soil and helps it get through the winter.

I will try to have my post up on time this week.

Rain Rain Go Away!!! Come again in a week or two. The garden has slowed down. With all the rain and cool weather and the days getting shorter the plants are not growing as fast as they want to. A little sun and warmth would solve the problem but I don't see it in the forecast.

The Summer Squash succumbed to the Squash Beetle and Downy Mildew. The Squash did great this year but it was still difficult for me to pull the plants out. The two rows are now cover cropped with Oats and covered with Remay (white protective cloth) so the birds won't feast on the seed. The Oats will grow and in October I will plant Garlic in the 2 beds amidst the Oats. Over the winter the oats will die back and provide a nice mulched covering for the Garlic to grow up between in the Spring. Yes, I said Spring!! When it gets to be this time of year part of the thinking and planning for the garden is getting ready for Spring.

As for the pick up this week it is pretty much the same as last week. I am hoping the rain will slow up some so i am not up to my neck in slushy water.

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.

nancy