Phew! Seems like the cold weather (at least for now) seems to be finally on summer holiday. We have delayed planting our field crops due to cold nights and potential frost. We know after many years here in one of the lowest parts of Bethlehem that cold cold weather tends to settle in at the farm. When the forecast says 42-ish, we often see temperatures quite a bit lower which is why Tim circled back to the farm last night and turned GH furnaces back. Last night we saw 34.
Today field planting in earnest has already begun. Wyatt, Jav, Caroline, Mikaela, Jaime, and Addison are out planting peppers and flowers. Zuchinni, Winter Squash, Roma Tomatoes and Cucumbers will hopefully be in the ground by the end of the weekend. Covering GH9 (the tender plastic finally ripped off a few weeks ago) weeding, cover cropping at the oxbow, and some farm organization is also on the docket. We are thrilled to have our full summer team in place and around to help make it all happen.
The succesions of lettuce and greens are finally also coming to fruition and we are psyched to provide you with some lettuce mix this week. As always, we invite you to come walk around the farm and see all the progress at any time.
Photos from the week
The wash center has begun to get busier with more greens, herbs and crops coming in. We hope to bring you at least a few cherry tomatoes next week.
Last Friday Woodland Community School students joined Sam on the farm and helped plant onions and beans after a discussion on the process of germination. The beans above germinated in a mix of vermiculite and pearlite and then were planted in GH3 and some 3” pots. Over the years we have been utilizing this method of starting seeds more frequently, ensuring that each soil block in a tray has a plant.
To germinate, a seed needs Oxygen/Air, Water/moisture, and a Suitable Temperature. They generally don’t require light, however a select few do.
Transformation of GH2: cucumbers now reside in the middle bed.
Shawn laid down a mulch layer with irrigation at the Oxbow, prepping seven 400’ beds for our winter squash.
Addison made sure everyone was on top of planting flowers in our PYO flower garden!
Pickup is from 3:00 - 6:00
Woodland Community School children and parents may be still in and around the driveway when pickup begins, please be careful navigating the parking lot.
If you are unable to pickup Thursday, please let us know so we can put your share aside to be picked up at your earliest convenience.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING BAGS!
As you park your car please be aware of Woodland Community School kids and parents as well as other CSA Members. We want to keep the flow of cars going.
Jaime will be present to help, however.... Please make sure to check off your name so we know you picked up your share!
Check out our CSA recipe page for some yummy kitchen ideas!
CSA Recipes
Your Farmer, Sam (For Tim, Mikaela, Jeannie, Jim, Evrald, Shawn, Jav, Colin, Jaime, Franconia, Wyatt, Riley, Tobi, Ani, Ridge, and Caroline)