Hello Farm-ily!
Guess what I picked the first quart of this week? You guessed it, STRAWBERRIES!
We usually plant bare root plants every other year and keep each bed for 2 years. Strawberries are in the crop rotation plan and we only keep them 2 years due to weed pressure and the berries get smaller over time. We kept our old bed of strawberries that is now 3 years old and we planted a new bed of strawberries from bare root plants last July. Both beds are just beginning to produce. Commercial growers get their strawberries in the ground mid summer, with lots of water and pick the flowers and berries off the first fall so the plants can establish deep, healthy roots. The first harvest of strawberries is usually the biggest. We only grow June bearing strawberries. We will make jam as the season comes to a close. Take a look at the extras page to purchase a pint of berries this week and keep an eye out for a bulk special to make your own jam if we have a really good season!
This week there is a lot of lettuce. Yes, it's lettuce season too. I love salad and this might be a good week for you to think salad as a main dish for dinner! Add meat, nuts, cheese, the works for a delicious, healthy main meal. Soon the variety will expand but right now we're swimming in lettuce ;) Next week you should see beets, then turnips and radishes again, then garlic scapes, Fava beans and cherry tomatoes from the tunnel!
bread share this week is Simple Country
cheese share this week is Horseradish
The Spring Festival here was a success despite the thunderstorms we incurred. What a fun and attentive crowd of like minded folks. A shout out to all the new CSA members I met -thanks for introducing yourselves! WE had a productive, informative farm tour as well as our tomato tips talk. I'm happy to share knowledge and being able to do it with friendly, eager faces in a hands on setting is ideal for me. So thanks to all who came and enjoyed. Even the rained out 'laughing yoga' was a hit in the pack shed as the sky opened up and gave us some much needed rain.
Come say hello to us at the Hereford Farmer's Market tomorrow from 9-12pm. We will have strawberries, OSF spring mix, spinach, spicy mix, carrots, herbs, our huge variety of transplants for your garden and Siwik Family farms organic asparagus! There is live music and lots of other interesting vendors to make it worth the morning trip.
Remember to join the Farm-ily FB page and join in the fun. We'll have our first challenge in June! There will be prizes ;)
We are still accepting members for our Thursday Summer CSA that starts in June. Send friends and family interested in getting a weekly supply of fresh, local, organic veggies your individualized Refer-A-Friend link. They get $25 off a CSA membership and you'll get a $25 credit. It's a win - win.
Recipe of the week:
Collard Dijon wrap ups.
This recipe uses collards, carrots and romaine- items available this week. You could substitute the red onion for chopped scallions and you've got 4 CSA items in one wrap!
INGREDIENTS
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- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 2-3 prunes, soaked until soft
- 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons shredded carrots
- 2 tablespoons shredded cucumber
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped bell pepper, green or red,
- 4 slices avocado
- 4 slices chopped tomato
- 2 large collard leaves, thick stem removed
- 2 medium romaine leaves
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- Combine the dijon mustard, prunes, and red wine vinegar in a medium bowl and mash with a fork. Stir in carrots, cucumber, red onion and pepper. Lay out a large collard leaf and place a romaine leaf on top of it. Top with half of the mustard/vegetable mixture and 2 slices of tomato and avocado. Roll like a burrito.
Have a great week, eat your veggies and stay cool!
