Its our fourth week of deliveries... this first month has flown by. I feel somewhat safe in hoping that the frost is behind us and we can go full steam ahead on growing. The spring temperature fluctuations always seem to bring their trials and wonky timelines, but by the time April is through we typically have a much more predictable planting and harvest schedule. I am SO looking forward to a future with plenty of greenhouse space but bootstrapping our way through gives us a certain resilience, or that's what I'm telling myself.
Some of our Spring flowers are just finishing up and so we're making room for more cucumbers, squash, and green beans. These guys all do extremely well in our summer heat and sun.
However, more dahlia tubers have gone in the ground too and we're waiting on shipment of a few more varieties. There will be a show in every season! I am attempting to undersow the dahlias with green beans this year. I had picked up this idea from a talented Dahlia Breeder, Santa Cruz Dahlias, at a no-till growing workshop this February. The beans keep the ground cool and even add a bit of nitrogen to the soil to help feed the flowers. Because we're so dry here we can get away with a bit closer spacing of our plants.
Making the rounds and checking on what's ready for harvest today I came across some bolting kale aka raab. The flowers are so sweet and tender, they taste just like broccolini (which will also be ready in a couple of weeks). If it makes it into your box this week I think you're going to find a new favorite.
Also on the top of our list this week is hakurei turnips. They are ridiculously sweet. I enjoy them raw but they're also wonderful roasted. This past weekend we got our beef back from our butcher. That meant is was time to cook up a t-bone with the side of roasted veggies. Chopped potatoes, carrots, and turnips roasted in olive oil and salt... such a perfect match. I also sauteed the turnip greens on the side in coconut oil and a bit of fat from the steak. All topped with garlic herb butter, it was heaven... and no I didn't take a pic, that meal's memory will live on in my mind without any photographic evidence needed.
Weekly reminder to set out your coolers! Its warming up so you may want to add an ice pack or two if you'll be out for a while. If you don't have an ice pack you can fill a water bottle half way up and put it in your freezer overnight.
That's all for now folks, see you Thursday!
Andrea
