August - CSA Box #5
Where has the summer gone!?! We managed to start some final crops for the fall just in the nick of time. Our pumpkins are forming on the vines, corn is just about ready to be harvested, and we are going to be swimming in ripe tomatoes very soon. The weeds seem determined to overtake the garden, but we are still growing/going.
PICKLES - These were made fresh the weekend we harvested and packed your CSA. IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY, PLACE THESE BABIES IN THE FRIDGE! These are not canned and do require refrigeration, but we left them to finish their ferment at room temperature prior to sending them your way. They should last in your fridge for up to 6 months but eat them ASAP for the crispest crunch. We made these with our Suyos since our pickling cukes weren’t quite ready yet. Let us know what you thinK!
Leeks ‘Comanche’
Onions ‘Gladstone’
Potatoes ‘Dark Red Norland’ - We were hoping to harvest a new variety since we planted so many different kinds this year but alas we dug up some more red boys. Just know, this is not the last of our potatoes so be prepared to boil ‘em, mash ‘em, and stick ‘em in a stew. (There really is no bad way to enjoy a potato.)
Garlic ‘Music’ - Our garlic is about a week or two away from being fully cured for longer storage. The humidity lingering these last few days has not helped these finish drying out but we anticipate being able to clean and store these very soon.
Carrots ‘Danvers’ - This short variety is meant to be on the stubby side earning them the nickname “half-long”. They make for great storage carrots that can handle heavy, clay soils and are supposedly great for canning and freezing. We have another healthy round to harvest soon so that we can cover this row and plant a cover crop later this season.
Tomatoes - These are just on the cusp of going absolutely bananas. We have a wide variety from larger heirloom and paste to smaller grape. Unfortunately, the lowest branches ripened first and the ground squirrels decided to take a few nibbles to test them out. We salvaged what we could but expect tomatoes for weeks to come!
Cucumbers ‘Suyo’
Peppers ‘King of the North’ - These are the first of many sweet peppers in our hoop house. We always plant way too many peppers and this year is no different. If you like it hot, let us know, and we will load you up with some spicy options in the future.
Beans ‘Gold Rush’ and ‘Maxibel Haricot Vert’
Purple Cabbage ‘Red Express’ - Ironically, these bad boys took forever.
Summer Squash ‘Nimba’, ‘Cha-Ching’ and ‘Goldy’ Zucchini
Eggplant ‘Nagasaki Long’ and ‘Ping Tung’ - These are on the cusp of producing heavily so many of you received smaller ones this time around. Be prepared for more eggplants to come!
Beets ‘Guardsmark Chioggia’ and ‘Boldor’
Herbs: Mint, Lavender, Cilantro, Basil and Chervil
This week’s bouquets featured: Gladiolus
