Aw the rain! Yesterday’s rains really helped us and the crops. It’s been somewhat challenging over the past few days with the temperatures the 90s. We were quite happy to have a little rain to cool things down a bit and give the crops a bit more water. We can irrigate and so, as often as needed. It’s impossible to actively dry out our fields, but can always add water with our irrigation system. So, in general, we prefer the weather to be on the drier side.
We’ve spent the last week weeding like mad and have killed many, many weeds. But there are always more to get to. We’re doing our best to keep ahead of them. We use our electric cultivating tractors, wheel hoes, scuffle hoes, a flamer, drag harrow, and our hands to reduce weed pressure on our crops. “Weeds” are amazing plants. They are generally the plants that are best suited to growing in any given locale. They are best adapted for the soil type and weather conditions. They have great root systems and varied, and often prolific means to reproduce. As organic farmers we do not use herbicides and weeds are our biggest challenge throughout the season.
For the next few weeks we’ll be splitting out time planting more and trying to keep ahead to the weeds. We’re trying to find some time to tidy up the farm. We’re on the ASAP Farm Tour this year which is in 10 days, the 25th & 26th of June.
Please return your CSA box next week. These boxes are waxed and are not recyclable, but we reuse them. So PLEASE remember to bring them back next week.
Ideas for Cooking
(We want to thank long time CSA member John Loyd for providing ideas and inspiration in this section!!!)
“An onion can make people cry, but there has never been a vegetable invented to make them laugh.” Will Rogers
This Week’s Recipes
CREAMY MUSTARD VINAIGRETTE (click link)
SOUR CREAM AND ONION PIE (click link)
MASSAGING KALE
It might seem strange to massage your food, but you’ll be amazed what a five-minute rubdown can do to transform kale from being bitter to silky and sweet. For me, it’s moved kale back from the chicken yard to the table.
Take bunches of kale in both hands – with the ribs removed – rub them together and repeat. This breaks down the cellulose structure. An option is to add salt.
VEGETABLE SLAWS
Slaw is great using vegetables other than cabbage. I made it with kohlrabi and bok choy.
Other combinations…
Beets and pears
Carrot, radish and pears or apples ( use two apples)
Add to your favorite slaw dressing and you are set. This spring, we’ve been enjoying a good shot of horseradish in ours.