Farm Notes is online! It's Tomato Season at last!!! Tomato season, and tomatoes themselves, hold a special place in the hearts of every PVF farmer. Read what tomato season means to us.
Leaving July behind was a huge relief, and August is proving to be quite different from that broiling hot month. Now we are getting parboiled, but cooler, wetter weather is on the way. We scrambled to get most of our fall brassica plants (kale, collards, choi, kohlrabi) into the ground on the farm that had the least amount of rain (the Loudoun farm) and we planted the last carrots and beets. Hopefully it won't rain so much that the seeds float away.
Here is what I am learning in our first season with customized shares: It's challenging to make a good prediction, three days in advance. On a farm, one day can be like multiple days rolled into one. So on a Monday evening, I try to look into my crystal ball and say what is going to be available on Thursday. And what I am really learning is that substitutions are nobody's favorite. People like to know what to expect, and I appreciate that. People would rather have potatoes (less exciting but dependable) than be disappointed by a shortage of something more exciting. It seems that it would be better for everyone if we stuck to what we can guarantee. In the world of Amazon, it is hard for a farm to meet that standard of reliability. I am still learning and it is humbling.
Meanwhile, the winter squash is looking amazing and the sweet potato vines have completely covered the ground. Carrots will break our heart every time, but sweet potatoes will fill our souls and our bellies. Fall is just a month away!
Canning tomatoes are now available!!!
Canning tomatoes are a great way to use that early sign up credit! Boxes will be $25 (about $1/lb). We can supply about 5 boxes per day, Thursday through Sunday, available by sign up only. These tomatoes will a mix of varieties, and will be very ripe and need to be used ASAP. They are seconds--expect some bad spots and blemishes. Boxes must be picked up at the roadside stand between 10am and 4pm. We can arrange for after-hours pick up with notice. To reserve your boxes, please email becky@potomacvegetablefarms.com with your order and note:
Your name,
What day you would like to pick up your tomatoes,
How many boxes you would like, and
What roadside stand you will be picking up at (Purcellville or Vienna).
Once Becky emails you back confirming we have them available at the time you wish, you're all set!
