Another week of "massive storms" all of which missed us altogether, but still put on a good show of lightening, thunder, high winds, and dark broody clouds. We spent a bulk of time in last weeks' sweltering heat lifting our garlic. Luckily with our clayey soils dried they came up without much fuss or even the use of the pitchfork. They aren't as big as last year's fist size garlic, but still beautiful full sized heads, now drying in the greenhouses.
So many people repeatedly ask me how we're dealing with the drought. In part it's been the wonder of nature- our soils with high clay content and high organic matter are holding moisture, whether from the last pathetic drizzle, or the morning dew. We haven't be able to irrigate a bulk of our plantings, yet they are thriving and producing. We did invest quite a bit of money into irrigation supplies last week, and will be getting drip tape run and digging lines to hook up to municipal water. Watch, we do that and it rains. After digging the trenches to shed water this spring, I figured Karma would throw at us a dry season, and it did. But all is well, we will be able to shed water in times of rain and heavy snow melt, and now irrigate in time of dryness. Every season since we started in 2014, I've said of the weather "if we can make it work in this we can make it work in anything" and we have. And we will. We are officially in a declared state of moderate drought along with much of the wine country in the finger lakes region.
Don't forget that we have added several items to our online store to be added to your weekly CSA shares. A wise farmer once said that instead of trying to add new customers, one should offer their existing customers more options. That is something we have taken to heart, and what better way of doing so than working with our neighbors and friends of the farm to offer more locally produced incredible edibles to their tables? Working smarter not harder sometimes means working with others, and helping each other grow.
This week's CSA shares:
Small: Lettuce, swiss chard, fennel, pickling cucumbers, summer squash and 1/2 pint of Grindstone blueberries
Regular: Lettuce, kale (dino or red russian) pickling cucumbers, mustard greens, peas, green beans, 1 pint of Grindstone blueberries and summer squash.
Summer Squash is term that all summer squash falls under- zucchini, patty pan (or scallop squash) yellow squash etc. When we pick, we try to rotate a variety of squashes into your shares. All of these squashes are interchangeable in recipes, and generally have the same flavor and texture (just not color or shape.) We grilled some tossed in pesto on the grill the other night until just tender, added a bit of Parmesan cheese and served over some pasta. Simple and didn't heat the house up using the oven.
A friend of mine who teaches cooking classes in Connecticut shared this recipe idea shared this recipe which i'd like to try using the greens, which I would like to try. Crustless Greek Pie. The recipe calls for swiss chard, but kale can be used instead.
CSA members (or market customers too) as encouraged to share recipes here in the comments section or on our facebook page, Also share pictures of your shares. If you love your CSA, let everyone know! We will be running a promotion from July until September. Share a recipe or a picture celebrating you CSA on our facebook page and we will pick one member each month to receive a $5 credit towards products on our online store, or farmer's market booths.
(By the way, the newest fad- Pokemon Go -there is a Poke-stop across the street from the farm at McClelland Cemetery, (named after the man who built our farm) and also Middle age Brewery is Poke Gym. We will be getting a small farm stand set up here now that we are getting into more crops that can sit out, so stop and support your local farms as you adventure in the virtual world.)
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