Finally the rains have fallen! It's not usually so dry in May, but this year it was. After a saturated winter of above-average rainfall, May saw us dry. Last weekend's rains were a relief for our plants, though it also means all the weeds just got a boost and are exploding this week! We've had a motto this spring: "Weed Free on June 1!" It's not realistic, of course, but it's a fun thing to aim for. :) We've done a number of weed-management practices over the years (including transitioning to not tilling) that have dramatically decreased the pressure on our crops from weeds, but obviously weeds will always exist. This spring we used a lot more bio-degradable "plastic" bed covers to serve as weed-suppressing mulch, and it has worked very well. Most farms in our country manage weeds by spraying herbicides. As an organic farm, we use no weed killing sprays. All weed killing and removal is mechanical, meaning we physically remove weeds using hand tools or our bare hands or we suppress them with physical cover, like mulch. It's harder but so worth it!
Three weeks from the summer solstice, our late-spring crops are almost ready: we'll start harvesting Cabbage and Onions next week. Potatoes and Garlic (in the photo above) will get harvested in late June.
Summer crops are slowly showing themselves: Summer Squash and Tomatoes are starting off with modest harvests this week. Get ready for their abundant time as the temperatures rise!
Flowers are beautiful on the farm right now with Larkspur and Sunflowers brightening up our fields. Remember you can add Flowers to your share most weeks of the summer...swap out vegetables or add them as an extra. We know flowers may be an indulgence, but they add so much beauty to our home - we are grateful for them everyday.
There are some very delicious and sumptuous herbal options for you in the "Extras" section today! Our friend Katherine at Gathered Threads has prepared the following Herb kits for you that you can purchase as a one-time, a la carte option:
:: Tea & Wellness Box: Mint Blend (for tea or to make simple syrup), Winding Down tea, 2nd Chakra Tea, Milky Oat Tops (for tea or as infusion to use as liqued when making rice, etc.), White Chocolate Vegan Fudge Kit (herbs to combine with cocoa butter, cashews, and sweetener to make your own fudge).
:: Herbs for the Kitchen Box: Asian Salad Dressing (herbs provided - you combine with oil and vinegar), Lemon Basil Mojito, Cornbread Seasoning, Rose Sugar, Salt-Free Seasoning
:: Herbs for the Body & Soul Box: Moisturizing Rose Body Oil, Calendula Oil Kit, Sunburn Soak - Herbal Bath Salts, Rosemary Hydrosol, 3rd Chakra Tea
---> An informational sheet is included in each box to provide you with details and instructions. Adding herbal diversity to your life is so enriching!
(photos of previous boxes shown below as examples)
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The delicious fermented vegetable options listed here are also from Katherine at Gathered Threads. We've been making our own fermented/cultured vegetables for years, and hers are the most delicious we've ever tasted! Give them a try. Your taste buds and your gut flora will thank you.
A note about Eggs - We offer them to you when our egg farmer friends (Steve Ault and/or Robert Hutchins) have enough available for us to list them here. It is often unpredictable and erratic, but Steve Ault is increasing his number of hens (he has plenty of pasture room!) in order to make more available for you soon. Just pay attention in the options once you log in.
Enjoy your options this week! Our fields are so full of deliciousness for you!
Blessings on your meals ~
