[CSA Update] Welcome to week 5

Keep an eye out for updates as the storms may impact the harvests during our customization window. We will reach out by email if the crops need to be swapped out.

Thunderstorms are magical. The crackle and the smell in the air before the storm gets going is a great memory from childhood. Too much rain - well, that can be the nightmare side.
In a garden, a big rainstorm can bring relief and bring damage. Tomato plants are typically loaded at this time of year and show all the potential of a wonderful harvest.

If the tomatoes have had water-induced stress and get a sudden burst of water, they typically split. Along with the rain - you can expect fruit flies
Fruit flies are common late summer pests both outdoors and indoors. They are attracted to the sweet smells of ripe and fermenting fruits and vegetables, like a split tomato.

Have you found a no-fail way to prevent fruit flies? Let's cover some of our favorite ways to handle them on the farm.

Fruit flies live for about 8 to 10 days. Fruit flies are not picky eaters, and despite being called fruit flies, they will consume onions, potatoes, and a whole host of vegetables.
Fruit fly traps are easily made from household materials. Fill a jar with a few inches of apple cider vinegar and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid.

To prevent fruit flies, aim to eliminate their breeding sites. Keep ahead of the trash can and have that emptied often, mopping up sugary spills, keep an eye out for turning produce, and clean out drains and garbage disposals frequently. We also make taking out the recycling a daily routine to not become a fruit fly hot spot.

If you compost, consider the benefits of a tarp over the pile or a cover so that it can heat the compost to kill the eggs, larvae, and adults.
They don't hang around all year; they are just a part of summer. An ounce of prevention and a couple of control steps helps keep them to a minimum.