Good stuff happening on the farm these days check them out in the photos with captions below.
Join us to take advantage of the cloud cover (aka good transplanting) on Tuesday or Thursday night 5:30-7pm. We are planting head lettuces, scallions, bulb fennel, and sunflowers.
Do you know someone considering a farm share with littleGrasse? There are a number of shareholder who are teaching abroad or moved from the North Country. We are still accepting Free Choice members for this season. You are welcome to forward this email to a friend, give them our website info or invite them to stop over for a visit such as during our next monthly Garden Morning and Potluck Saturday, May 27th.
Last winter, Flip started some doodling in fulfilling a years long hope of installing a custom barn quilt at littleGrasse. Coming up with the design was a fun process, and we knew it would be plant-filled. In comes Bob’s brother, who took the project to the finish line. As a retired tile setter, Gene is a pro with skillfully and patiently laying out a project. In the process, he suggested adjustments that made the quilt even better. This April, we hung it on the new barn as a welcoming beacon. The flower design uses some artistic license (aka plant unicorn) not any specific bloom!
One spring improvement includes widening the driveway entrance and removing some spreading honeysuckle which improves visibility pulling out of the farm.
Several new households had farm orientations in the past few days. Every new household needs to meet with us for 30 minutes before the share begins. If you missed the recent opportunities, email littlegrasse@gmail.com or text Flip at 315-854-5399 to find alternate time.
We seeded the winter squash and pie pumpkins last week, a vigorous family of plants that are quick to germinate. They will be transplanted out at the end of May. We grow several varieties with more of the varieties that prove popular such as delicata and honeynut.
Kudos to the garden morning folks planting in the rain: Jenny, Jim, Regan, Kim, Dan, GH, Calvin, Maya- nice work!
Tips & Flavor Notes
- Kids and rambunctious people of all ages are always welcome at the farm. Remember to keep an eye on your little ones, and remind them to only walk in the aisles, and not in the beds where the food plants are growing.
- People sometimes ask what the “right” amount to take during a farm visit. You can bring home/harvest what your household can use fresh in your daily meals. The Free Choice Share is not intended for bulk/storage/preservation purposes.
The Easter egg radishes are quite juicy and mostly mild right now. When harvesting, select the largest roots (around golf ball sized, such as the example on the right in the photo). To see a short video about thinning the radish patch, we filmed one last year you can watch here.
Tacos are always easy to eat, but our favorite versions include a range of textures. This one includes crispy radishes and sprouts, tangy pickled peppers, with creamy cheese, sour cream and seasoned refried chickpeas.
Crops Available
This list and availability are subject to change, check the share whiteboard at the start of every visit. If you are unsure about how to harvest: ask us! In person, via text or email.
Cell phone numbers, Flip: 315-854-5399 and Bob 315-854-5395.
*Asterisk marks crops added this week
- Arugula
- Asparagus
- The popularity of this crop outpaces supply. It’s available in the barn fridge first-come first serve, but each household can only take it a maximum two times. We will continue to harvest it for 3-4 weeks and are hopeful everyone will have the chance to enjoy this spring treat. Never worry, there’s oodles of produce yet to come.
- Green garlic
- Radish*
- Rhubarb
- Spicy mixed greens*
- Spinach
Culinary and Medicinal Herbs
- Bronze leaf fennel
- Chives
- Lemon Balm
- Lovage
- Oregano
- Sorrel
For the love of plants,
-Flip & Bob