Hello everyone! Hope you have all had a nice week. We have. This week we have been weeding a whole bunch, as well as continuing to plant spring crops. We have our first seeding of green beans and corn in the ground, and are going to follow with summer squash, cucumbers, and cantaloup this Thursday. We are a bit late with these last crops mentioned, since we lost so many a couple times over to the problem I mentioned in the last letter in the greenhouse. Speaking of which, I want to add a few disclaimers that didn’t occur to me to mention in the newsletter when I talked about the Phytopthera. Encountering this pathogen, for myself and the fellow growers that have it as well, has been pretty intense. It is common for plants to face certain disease issues throughout a growing season, as well as pest problems. Plants get diseases just like humans do, but keep in mind that these diseases are not spreadable to humans. A bacteria such as ecoli, applied from animal manure through irrigation or leeching in the soil like what happened to the spinach from California last year, is. This is very different than a disease that attacks plants. As I said, diseases are fairly common and something that both organic and conventional growers deal with each year. The thing that makes that Phytopthera so challenging, and stand out above all other diseases, is that it is a really bad one. One that can persist for a year or more, unlike most plant diseases, and one that is very contagious. I also want to say that although this disease did enter the farm through worm castings, that worm castings are usually a wonderful and fine product to use on a farm or home garden and should not be avoided or black listed. This will most likely evolve to local producers wanted to reassure folks that their castings are ‘Disease Free’ after having them tested, but that is a good step towards progress and castings utilization. I don’t have all the info. That I need to fully address this topic or problem in the field, as even the folks at NC State who are working on it need to do more research. What I do know I have written, so no need to be afraid of the veggies or of future castings. This pathogen lives in the soil and is only dangerous to certain plants. Those plants not affected by it, that you have received, are pathogen free. Okay? Good.
We don’t have as many strawberries this week, but I have given the ones we do have to half share members who have not received them yet so enjoy. As you see you have received spring onions for the first time in your boxes this week. They are very beautiful and yummy. You can eat the entire thing, greens and all. We will be seeing carrots maybe next week but definitely in two weeks. We have yellow, red and orange carrots this year, so exciting and beautiful. The beets are coming along nicely and we should have them in two weeks as well, along with some cauliflower and broccoli. It will be nice to have some more variety I am sure. Please let me know if you have any questions or feedback, I love to hear from you. I am participating in a Slow Foods Event, so please click the link if you are interested in attending it is open to the public. Elise
| Crop | Amount | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Total | $19.50 | |
| Spring Onions | larger | $3.00 |
| Radishes | larger | $2.50 |
| Turnips | larger | $3.00 |
| Lettuce | 2 heads | $4.00 |
| Kale | larger | $3.00 |
| Cilantro | larger | $2.00 |
| Dill | larger | $2.00 |
| Crop | Amount | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Total | $14.25 | |
| Spring Onions | smaller | $2.00 |
| Radishes | smaller | $1.75 |
| Turnips | smaller | $2.00 |
| Lettuce | 1 head | $2.00 |
| Kale | smaller | $2.00 |
| Cilantro | smaller | $1.00 |
| Dill | smaller | $1.00 |
| Joi Choi/ Boc Choi | one | $2.50 |
Steam kale until lightly wilted. In a large skillet heat the oil and butter, add garlic onion and ginger and saute until the onion is soft. Toss in the kale. Cover and cook on low heat until kale is tender. Toss in rest of ingredients and enjoy!