Though this is the fourth season of the You Pick Share, each year we’ve tweaked and expanded the model. Improvements in 2020 include more variety and a longer season. A couple crops we hoped to feature in the fall did not perform well enough to distribute: cabbage and broccoli. The good news is that we planned winter squash for the homestead bulk share only, but it yielded so well that we can include it in the You Pick offering! Each week for the remainder of the season, we will distribute a different variety from the winter squash family (delicata, butternut, red kuri, kabocha and edible pumpkin). These may be eaten straightaway, yet will last for weeks at room temperature. To assure there is enough for every household, each variety of squash will be available for a one week period and every share is entitled to 1 squash during each week. For example, this week delicata is available at 1 squash per share, 1-time only. As with any item, it’s optional, if you prefer to take less or none, that is no problem.
In September 2019, the farm hosted 6 class tours from various college courses, while in 2020 we agreed to one only. This past Thursday, students from the course Seeds of Hope at St. Lawrence, visited littleGrasse for a couple hours. We enjoyed sharing the evolution of the farm over the past decade and what makes us tick. They snacked on ground cherries, visited the fields to learn about organic management and heard all about the strong shareholder interest in this tumultuous pandemic year. It felt good to offer the students a chance to shake up their routine and get off campus.
Tips for Success
- If you’d like to win one of these pumpkins, get your entries in by this
Enter to win by this Wednesday!
Wednesday. Simply guess the weight of each (no touching or lifting!) and the closest household is victorious.
- Mixed lettuce greens are considered a, “cut and come again” green. To harvest, use knives or scissors to cut the greens 3 inches above the soil surface. This cutting height will retain the “growing crown” and allow the crop to re-sprout for an additional harvest.
- Beet greens are a one-time only harvest, rather than “cut and come again”. They are essentially immature beet plants, grown for the leafy tops instead of the full-sized root. Cut the tops around the soil surface to enjoy raw or cooked.
Crops Available
This list and availability is 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.
* New items this week
Lettuce greens include a mix of oakleaf, bibb and romaine varieties.
- Ancho poblano peppers* (on table in cooler)
- Beet greens*
- Carrots, purple and yellow*
- Delicata winter squash* (on table) 1 per share, 1 time distribution only
- Mixed lettuce greens*
- Arugula
- Bok Choy
- Chard
- Cutting flowers
- Decorative gourds (on table)
- Groundcherries- harvest video here
- Kale
- Scallions
- Spicy mixed greens
Culinary and Medicinal Herbs
- Calendula
- Cilantro
- Fennel seed
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Rosemary
- Sage
Let the baking begin!
Flip & Bob