Things here are growing: seeds, plants, insect populations, grass, chickens, farmer tans, etc. It feels so good to finally be excited about being outside! While last year was our first CSA here, this year feels new all over again. We are trying to start out fresh with a clean deck, weed-free beds, and mowed grass. It’s easy to expect that as the summer unfolds things will unravel to more and more chaos…
As far as the garden goes, almost everything is planted. Half of the tomatoes are planted with the rest going in this week. Our first successions of green beans, summer squash, and basil are also sending out their roots. The broccoli is within days of harvest as are the snap peas and the lettuce is ready to eat!
We’ve had a few setbacks too…Our first carrot seeding did not germinate as well as we’d hoped but it has already been replanted (we LOVE carrots so trust us-we’re trying). Our first seeding of beans was decimated by slugs but it too has been replanted. We worked hard over the winter planning out a rotation for the garden. (You never want the same plant family in one bed for more than a season, it builds up pest pressure.) With all the new plants in new places they grow differently and interact with the soil in different ways than they did the year before so it’s hard to predict what to expect. I trust that things will grow just fine!
This weeks CSA includes:
2 Head Lettuce-Our favorites Winter Density (romaine) and Marvel of Four Seasons (red butterhead). They’ll be making guest appearances all summer.
Bulk Spinach- This variety is called Japanese Giant. It is the first year we’ve grown it. We’ve really enjoyed it stir fried with garlic on pizzas and would recommend it cooked vs. fresh but you choose!
Red Russian Kale- We’ve been harvesting SO much of this I had to come up with a creative use. Kale chips are just as good as I remember. Try these recipes:
http://phytofoods.blogspot.com/search?q=kale (a friends blog)
http://www.bonappetit.com/magazine/2009/02/tuscan_kale_chips (you can use any kale)
Radish- A mix of two varieties, Helios and Crimson Crunch. Try Radish Escebeche.
Braising Mix- This is a mix of mini kale greens, Ruby Streaks mizuna mustard, pac choi, tat soi, chard, etc. I’d recommend throwing this in a stir-fry, soup, or slow cooking with bacon and a little broth.
Bulk Arugula- We just had the most amazing arugula pesto last night. I highly recomend trying this. You can also bulk this recipe up with a bit of spinach. This arugula is so young and tender that it would also make a great salad.
Rhubarb- We were lucky enough to harvest this from a neighbor. It is a green variety of rhubarb (for more info on varieties http://www.rhubarbinfo.com/rhubarb-varieties.html). I made a rhubarb crisp last week with some strawberries that was amazing but I also just saw a recipe for poached rhubarb and rice pudding I thought I’d try.
Peppermint- We’ve been making sun tea with this. Just put the mint in a jar of water out in the sun. Leave it all day while you are at work…Come home and enjoy!
This week and the next few will be heavy on greens and a bit smaller than later in the summer. Do not fear- more colors are coming! As always, feedback is much appreciate. If you are thinking it, others probably are too, and we’d love to know.
We hope you enjoy your first week’s share!
Sarah & Conner
