View from the Tractor
"Rain, rain go away" has become a popular tune in my two-and-a-half-year-old's repertoire. I'm not sure where he picked it up, but it couldn't be more fitting. Farming imparts a multitude of lessons, from the simple act of tidying up tools to the more challenging lessons of adaptability and acceptance. This spring has been pushing all the farmers at Kilt Farm, and indeed farmers throughout the Front Range, to the limits of our knowledge, patience, and planning.
As I sat down to write this, a storm swept through, drenching us with 0.8 inches of rain in just 45 minutes. I hastily donned my rain gear and inspected the ditches to ensure proper drainage on the farm. While the downpour has made our pastures lush and green, it has significantly hindered the planting and growth of our vegetables. The fields are now saturated, leaving our annual plants struggling with perpetually waterlogged roots. Additionally, we're unable to access the beds to prepare them for upcoming plantings without risking further damage to the already challenged soil. So, for now, we wait.
Despite these challenges, we're fortunate to be offering another bountiful CSA share of spring vegetables this week. I am immensely grateful for this abundance. In the weeks to come, we may face leaner harvests, but we've seized every opportunity that the weather and nature have presented to us in our quest to cultivate food. Our peppers, eggplants, tomatoes, summer squash, cucumbers, okra, onions, artichokes, and basil have been planted in raised beds, keeping the plants elevated above the water and enabling them to continue growing despite unfavorable conditions. Furthermore, we've successfully sown our melons, cantaloupes, and winter squashes, eagerly anticipating their emergence as the summer weather arrives.
Weather forecasts suggest that this cool and wet pattern will soon give way to a change. When that happens, I'm certain you'll be able to hear the plants rejoice in their newfound growth. If you happen to drive by our farms, you'll see our farmers working tirelessly, so please lend us a supportive honk as we strive to cultivate a bountiful season.
Michael and all of the Farmers at Kilt Farm.
Featured Add-Ons
This week you'll find our usual add-ons including incredible Hazel Dell Mushrooms, Kilt Farm Raw Honey, artisanal Pastificio Pasta, gorgeous Flower Bouquets from the Fresh Herb Co. And new to the add-on roster: fruit is trickling in from our partnering farmers!
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Cherries With the fruit season beginning to blossom, we are thrilled to be able to offer some organic orchard goodies as we prepare for the long-awaited fruit season to enter full bloom. Throw some irresistible cherries into your CSA share this week to satisfy that sweet-tooth brought to you by Blackbear Organics!
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Flowers Our friends at the Fresh Herb Co bring us beautiful weekly-rotating bouquets of flowers that are grown, picked, and arranged-to-perfection in Colorado-- In fact, these flowers can be found just down the road from our farm! Chet and Kristy Anderson started growing flowers and herbs with a mission to provide fresh and sustainably-grown color and joy to the homes of their neighbors and community. These bouquets are always stunning and are the perfect gift or table setting! |
Have a wonderful weekend -- We hope you enjoy this coming week's share.
