The first round of potatoes, which were planted about a month ago, really loved the rains this week. They shot up and we did the first hilling of that crop. These potatoes should be ready in August, and our “main crop” planting will be distributed in September and October.
Come one come all, the June Garden Morning is Saturday June 24th, with the shared potluck meal at noonish. In exciting news, The stove in the barn is now operational (electrical and propane!), so if anything needs warming, etc., it’ll be a breeze.
We hosted tours twice this week, the first to the public and mid-week to the Master Food Preserver volunteers of Cornell Cooperative Extension. Kudos to Florence Hines for bringing a new resident of the area to the tour and introducing them to littleGrasse! Those personal interactions make a gigantic difference in helping new people understand what the farm and the shares are all about.
Onions coming along well. Here Aaron and Charlie are weeding the area with wheel hoes.
What is a weed anyways? It’s a subjective term, that basically means a plant growing where you wish it was not. There are numerous healthy, edible “weeds” in our fields. Here we are removing the purslane from the mixed lettuce greens. Purslane is listed by the World Health Organization as one of the most use medicinal plants and has been given the name “Global Panacea”.
Tips & Flavor Notes
- If you are seeking a home for food scraps generated at your house, grab a bucket in the washstand area.
- Scallions are ready! We plant this crop in bunches. To harvest, grab the bundle at the soil level and pull the entire cluster of plants from the soil. The green leaves and white base are all edible. We enjoyed them on tacos this week.
- Would assistance with your harvest be helpful? Or perhaps you have a question about how to harvest. Our Harvest Helper hours are available to simplify the process. They are Saturdays 9-10am and Wednesdays 5:30-6:30pm. If you are seeking an alternate time, text Bob at 315-854-5395.
Here’s a bouquet created this week from shareholder Arun, who ranks way up there in his ability to comb the flower and perennial area and develop a fabulous bouquet. Any blooming flowers are available for harvest for Free Choice shareholders. While the majority of the flowers are not yet mature, any curious soul could can find blossoms in those beds. These plants are an exception in that we do not mark with a wooden sign every flower, yet you are welcome to harvest them. Most varieties will be mature from mid-July to mid-September (which is the time frame of the Flower You Pick Share).
Multiple folks are not moving the pink flag. Remember to start harvesting where the flag is, and then shift it to your stopping point for the next person’s reference. Consider the wooden crop marker signs as the start of the bed, so the flag is moving way from that sign.
Our homestead project this week was blanching and freezing a whopping pile of spinach. We aim to preserve at least one item every week, so that we can amass a hearty and diverse mix of foodstuffs for the non growing months.
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
- Chard
- Green garlic
- Head lettuce
- Kale
- Lettuce greens
- Rhubarb
- Scallions*
- Spinach
Culinary and Medicinal Herbs
- Bronze leaf fennel
- Cilantro
- Lemon balm
- Oregano
Grey skies this weekend,
-Bob and Flip