New this Week: Tomatillos (limited), Mexicana Summer Squash, and Clarion River Organics' Cantaloupes, Honeydews, and Sweet Corn!
This Week at the Farm:
Still no rain at the farm this week. In our 19 year history, we have never irrigated with such regularity and intensity as during this season. Essentially, we have the drip tape running all day at least 5 days per week, and often through the night as well. The drip tape works how it sounds. It's black plastic tape, or tube, that has slits on the underside that allow water to slowly flow out of the tape and directly onto the ground. From a water conservation perspective, using drip tape is preferred over using overhead watering (sprinklers or hoses) because drip tape puts the water on the soil where it's needed by plants instead of into the air, where a large percentage of the water is lost to evaporation. Watering plant roots instead of foliage also minimizes the spread of foliar diseases. And finally, we love the labor savings - we can connect the drip tape system to a hose and walk away from it for hours or overnight, whereas overhead watering requires more time and active management by our team.
That's probably more than you wanted to know about how we irrigate at the farm! Despite the "automation," we have still spent countless hours in the last several months running drip tape through the beds and trying to stay on top of all the watering needs of our plants. In case you are wondering, that is essentially impossible. That is, it is impossible to irrigate every plant on the farm. During seasons like this where we have had minimal rainfall for the better part of 10 weeks, we will have crop loss. That's just a reality. I have heard local farms saying that this is the most difficult season that they have experienced in the last 50 years. First the late snow and freeze in May which destroyed many fruit crops, and then intense heat and drought. Thanks for hanging in there with us this season! Every day, we are grateful for your continued support.
On that note, we will start a two week Member Appreciation Event this week. Every share this week will include a free CVO lip balm. In case you haven't heard, our lip balm is the absolute best! Not only is it made from organic, food-grade ingredients (not petroleum), but it actually works! Imagine that?
For more on our lip balms, check out our blog post:
https://www.cherryvalleyorganics.com/whats-in-your-lip-balm-a-closer-look-at-the-ingredient-list/
This coming week, we will start our fall plantings in earnest with leeks, scallions, kales, lettuces, radishes, arugula, and beets. Some of these crops will be ready for harvest in just a little over 3 weeks. We are also excited about the next round of cucumbers and summer squash that are reaching peak production. Our sugar baby watermelons and green beans are almost here. And, our winter squash is looking great for harvests in September and October! Have a great week!
Farm Partner Feature: Weatherbury Farm
Weatherbury Farm, located in Avella, PA, is run by Dale, Marcy, and Nigel Tudor. The Tudors produce grass-fed beef, certified organic eggs, and organic grains, which they then mill into flour. From putting the seed in the ground to putting the flour in the bag, everything is done at the farm. The flours are ground slowly and at a low temperature on a stone mill, retaining the grain’s vitamins, minerals, oils and fiber giving the flours their delicious unique flavors. We are lucky to be carrying their amazing flours and beans in our "Extras" this week. Check out their polenta, cornmeal, and rolled oats too!
For more information about Weatherbury Farm, visit their website:
https://weatherburyfarm.com/
If you have any questions, please reach out to jodi@cherryvalleyorganics.com or to support@harvie.farm at any time. Thank you for being a farm share member this season!
Jodi, Emily, Annie, Allie, Heather, Bo, Meghan, Nicole, Nicole, and Vanessa
The CVO Team
