Holy Melons! Our first batch of cantaloupe have ripened and are coming on fast! We've got enough melons to feed an army, so fill your shares this week. This first batch of melons is a variety called "Hannah's Choice." Which are lobed and more oblong than our next planting. They seem to be bigger, and have a milder, slightly less sweet flavor, but perhaps better texture. Savor them slowly and we'll let you know when the next variety hits boxes, so you can let us know which you like best. One of the best things about melon season, is that it is a cascade, we should be rich in melons for weeks, and right behind cantaloupe are watermelon, and everything is sweet and summery and great. We lost our first round of melons to a plant disease that took them so fast it made our heads spin, but the next round is not far behind.
I had hoped to have a good long letter about our extended season shares in this newsletter, but melon harvest took up tractor time today, and I have to head back out to finish cover-cropping part of our fields so the tractor is freed up for pulling beds tomorrow morning (we borrow an implement from another farm and timing is often tight). Here is the skinny version of what's up for fall and winter shares: Fall shares are a bi-weekly extension of summer shares that begin right after summer shares end and go until the week before Thanksgiving. They are every other week, delivered on the same schedule to the same locations as our summer shares, and they highlight the bounty (and in my opinion, perfection) of fall produce - greens, broccoli, winter squash, brussels sprouts, potatoes, plus (hopefully) the last little bit of summer (tomatoes, peppers) if the weather allows. 4 bi-weekly deliveries are $144.00 and you can select from all the usual add-ons: eggs, cheese, yogurt etc. You can sign-up now here: https://www.harvie.farm/signup/harvest-tide-organics
Winter shares are taking some special attention this year while we figure out the logistics of how we continue deliveries amidst COVID-19. We are working on a delivery schedule that accounts for these challenges - most notable that the weather is no good for outdoor pick-ups, but most of our sites are not likely to be welcoming people inside during the winter. We've got some great ideas and some new work arounds, so we're feeling really hopeful, but everything is not fully baked yet. We'll have a full update for you in a week or so.
Extras this week:
- Coffee Coffee Coffee! We have Moses Dyer whole bean coffee available in medium and dark roast for delivery with your share this week! $15.00/1 lb. bag
- Fairwinds Farm High Bush Blueberries - now available by the quart! Freeze them and stock up for winter smoothies $9.50/quart (not organic)
- Fuzzy Udder Fresh Herbed Sheep's Milk Cheese - spreadable, so creamy and delicious (and a little limited - don't wait!) $9.00/container
