|
|
Massaro Farm CSA Week #17
Notes from the farm: This 17th week of our summer CSA may bring back memories of the first few weeks of distribution: lots of greens. Though they are traditionally used in Asian cuisine, the greens such as bok choi and tat soi along with the baby salad turnips grow very well in New England’s spring and fall. They proved to be a reliable crop in the cold, wet spring we had this year, and are proving to be reliable once again this fall, following tough summer growing conditions. Generally at this time of year, I’d hope to be harvesting broccoli and cabbage planted in July. Unfortunately the hail, hurricane and heavy rains in August decimated those plantings. In order to fill the gap we replanted some of the field with the quicker maturing bok choi, tat soi and turnips, so as to be ready for this week’s harvest. There are some great combinations to be had within this week’s distribution, so whether you are planning for a soup, salad, stir fry, omelete or quiche, you are likely to have what you need coming home with you from the farm.
Reminder: Next week, week #18, is the final week of the summer CSA
In this week’s distribution: Tat Soi, Bok Choi, Potatoes, Onions, Lettuce, Baby Salad Turnips, Mixed Braising Greens: Kale, Collards, Broccoli Raab
Massaro Farm CSA Week #16
Notes from the farm: This week we are turning in summer crops in to the soil, sowing cover crops, and digging up potatoes for distribution. Whenever we finish the harvest of a crop, we immediately ready the soil for either a new planting or a sowing of cover crops. Cover crops are used to protect and revitalize the soil. The protection comes in the form of roots keeping the soil structure together to prevent erosion. The revitalization comes from the nutrients brought in to the soil by the cover crops. Some of the cover crops we use here include rye, vetch, oats, peas, buckwheat and clovers. By the end of the season, the entire field will be sown with cover crops. In the spring, these crops will be tilled in to the soil, adding the nutrients and biomass as the soil is prepared for planting.
In this week’s distribution: Potatoes, Scallions, Lettuce, Baby Salad Turnips, Bok Choi, Kale, Dandelion Greens, Basil
Massaro Farm CSA Week #15
Notes from the farm: Though summer does not officially end until the 23rd of September this year, the things we think of as traditional “summer crops” are just about finished. Last year’s continual heat allowed us to harvest tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, summer squash and cucumbers summer well in to October. This season, the cold, wet, spring and early summer we had made a tough start for these crops. That tough start, followed by a wet and stormy August, along with significant rains early last week, have dealt the final blow for our summer crops. Despite these conditions, we’ve still got plenty of produce, as the farm staff and volunteers have been working continually to ensure a quality harvest through the rest of the season. In addition to the beautiful carrots, lettuce, onions and basil we are sure to have this week, we’ll be picking the green tomatoes off the plants, and the last of any peppers and eggplants that remain. Hopefully, we’ll be able to give you one last taste of these summer crops. Also, this is likely the final week of cherry tomatoes, flowers so be sure to make time for these U-Pick crops.
In this week’s distribution: Carrots, Onions, Basil, Dandelion Greens, Lettuce
Distribution may also include: green tomatoes, peppers, chard, kale, turnips
U-Pick: Cherry Tomatoes (1/2 pint), Green Beans (1/2 pint), Flowers, Sunflowers (3)
Massaro Farm CSA Week #14
Notes from the farm: I know the week following Hurricane Irene was a long one for many of you. I hope that by now you all have power back and that you’ve been able to clean up and recover from any damage you may have sustained around your homes. Despite the damage here at the farm, we were able to put together a great harvest last week. Because we harvest the crops for the CSA on the morning of your pick up (Tuesdays and Fridays), on occasion it will happen that I cannot predict exactly all of the produce we will harvest for everyone by the time this newsletter goes out. This week, owing to damage incurred by Hurricane Irene, there are a handful of crops that may or may not be included in the distribution. I have noted a few items below as part of “In this week’s distribution”.
In this week’s distribution: Lettuce, Onions, Carrots, Basil.
Distribution may also include: tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, chard, beets, kale
U-Pick (Depending on field conditions): Flowers
Massaro Farm CSA Week #13
Notes from the farm: Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene was felt here over the weekend, and though there is some damage around the farm, the impact surely could have been worse. A few trees are down, including one on a portion of our deer fencing. The greenhouse and hoop-house are both in good shape, as are all of the buildings here. We did receive at least another six inches of rain creating some wet spots and washouts, and the high winds did knock some plants over and injure plant foliage. Considering what we have seen this year from other storms, and what has happened throughout the state and all of the east coast this weekend, I am very glad that will still have produce ready to harvest. Thus, distribution will be held on our normal days and times this week.
In this week’s distribution: Lettuce, Onions, Fennel, Dandelion Greens, Purslane, Basil
U-Pick (Depending on field conditions): Beans
|
|
