CSA Extended Week 1

This Week’s Harvest

FARM NEWS

Well the weather has certainly taken a turn- seems we wrapped up the regular season CSA just in time. I’m not going to lie- last week was rough! We still had a few things I wanted to harvest for storage like beets and we had to harvest fresh items as well. On Thursday I was waiting for the supposed high of 35 to go out and pick some fresh items but it never came! Instead I think it hit 32 and we went out anyway and picked Brussels and parsley for the extended season share as I wasn’t sure if they’d survive the upcoming predicted low of 14. It was a memorable last day for some of our seasonal crew! Friday we shut down the farm and we stayed cozy in our houses! 

I haven’t assessed yet how some uncovered crops like our kale and braising greens faired during the freezing temps over the weekend. Assuming it survived it’ll be in the next extended season box. We do have spinach, arugula, and cilantro covered with row cover which adds a layer of protection and extends the season of those crops. When we went out to harvest spinach yesterday afternoon, some row cover had blown off a row. That little exposed bit did wilt too much and was not harvestable, so I am really glad that we took time to cover the planting last week or it would all be dead! A benefit to the cold for many plants is that wasn’t doesn’t kill you makes you taste better. The spinach this week is extra sweet- especially those thick stems!

uncovering the spinach for harvest
Gorgeous healthy spinach that was protected with row cover ready to harvest!
This spinach row got uncovered because of wind and you can see that the cold did damage the structure of the plants and the leaves are limp and discolored.

This week it warms back up, thankfully, so we will be able to wash our storage veggies and deliver without fear of freezing temps ruining the box contents! This is one of my favorite deliveries to make because I like thinking about all of our produce on Thanksgiving tables being shared with loved ones! Have a wonderful, restful holiday that is full of thanks!

RECIPES

Butternut Squash Gratin

Mashed Turnips and Potatoes

Sweet Potato Scones

Coming up in 2 weeks (our best guess…) Kohlrabi, Beets, Potatoes, Japanese Sweet Potatoes, Garlic, Kale, Arugula, Rainbow Carrots, Napa Cabbage and more!