week 12. Yeah. About week 11. Sorry, no post for week 11.

Here is the apology for no “in the box” email last week. There are several excuses that could be given, but the fact of the matter is that it did not get done. You did, however, get your box. That is good, and essential!

The beans were a big show-up last week, and will continue to be so for quite some time. Accidentally the different varieties are coming on in order – the Oregon Giant last week is catching a breath this week while preacher bean steps into the gap. Preacher Bean is an Appalachian seed saver variety sometimes called a ‘corn bean’ or ‘greasy bean’ or ‘cut-short’ bean. It is short – maybe 4-6″ with a pronounced bean ‘bump’ and pretty tasty. There might be some other varieties this week, but not in the same volume.

Dem Beans Dem Beans Dem Green Beans.

The yellow summer squash is acting a bit strange – not as many fruit set this week as last week. It is plausible that it is intimidated by the winter squash in the next row over – the Candy Roaster is expanding both in fruit and vine, which is bound to be scary if you are a bush plant like the summer squash. In fact, all the winter squash are showing good sets of fruit, which is very encouraging after the lack of them last year.

Inflating Candy Roaster Squash.

The surprise this week is the grapes – those vines are loaded, almost as loaded as the figs were. Oh, and there are still some small number of figs getting ripe – but the second blush of fruit is out about four weeks.

Why are grapes so photogenic?

There are two crops that are still a few weeks out – one is a bit embarrassing since lettuce is something that is supposed to be always coming. There will  be cabbage and bok choi as well as chard to sorta fill the gap while the lettuce comes on – oh, and there is a new crop of curly mustard. There are those that like the mustard, and there are those who do NOT.  The nice thing about the mustard is that it really responds fine to being harvested – pops out more leaves in a week.

Curly Mustard – love it or not. Haul out some ham!

There is also a watch on the carrots – top watering has made an amazing difference in the production and even the germination of carrots – the rows that had the Japanese Turnips for example were re-seeded with carrots that came up in a few days – nominally carrots have come up in two weeks! Right now the carrots are about 1/4″ diameter but nice and long, in a couple more weeks they will start to show up in your boxes.

Extremely Happy Carrots. Extremely.

well, here’s the list of things that may be in your box – remember to speak up if you want more or less of some product, if possible you will be accommodated.

Lettuce The Gap has come. Some scrappy heads will go to folks, but there is a gap waiting for the summer varieties to mature.
Brassicas Alcosa (wrinkled head) cabbage (small) or green cabbage; bok choi, possibly some small leaf Kale for some members.
Roots  Three different radish types, Japanese Salad Turnip, baby beet greens, Maybe some real beets that are medium sized.
Greens  Arugula, Chard, Beet Greens, Mustard.
Herbs Lots of Basil, Chives, maybe some Oregano. Mint is struggling.
Misc Cherry Tomatoes, Some slicers are available, switching to Huckleberry and/or Russet or Cal White Potatoes, checking grapes, possibly a bundle or two TBD if ripe; will check the later peaches but no promises. May include some blackberries if possible to get picked. Lots and Lots of green beans.

Flower of the week… Well, three days of 100F or so was not kind to some types, what you actually get is not really clear but you will get them. By the way, the decor squash is also growing nicely. Just right for a harvest table decoration.

And by the way, the last beef is sold, all the cows will be off the farm as of this coming Monday. It was Real. It was Fun. It was not always Real Fun. They will be missed  – the part where the farm is always keeping an eye on them Just In Case.

By Doug

--- 'farmer doug' is the planner and heavy lifter for the CSA and the LLC. Loves to teach; "ask him the time, he'll tell you how to make a clock." Always has a new idea to try, some of which work. BTW - if you try and phone call, and you are NOT in his caller ID you will not be answered - just leave a message and you will be called right back.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *