In the last two weeks, we managed to get engaged, host our housewarming, AND bring you crates of delicious, organically grown produce and mason jars full of fresh flowers - so we are calling it a WIN!

We saw big swells of rain water and mustered our way through a wicked heat wave so things are growing leaps and bounds and forever presenting unique challenges. We are drowning in weeds and fighting off vermin (bunnies and beetles) but thrilled to have some new veggies coming up and new customers to satisfy - LIFE IS GOOD.

Kohlrabi - aka “German turnip” or “turnip cabbage”
- We honestly haven’t cooked much with this brassica either. The ones we are used to seeing are closer to softball sized so we held off on harvesting the remaining rows so you can experience her in all her glory. Still we couldn’t resist plucking a few so some could get a taste. While it can be eaten raw or cooked, it is best peeled but both the stems and leaves are edible. Foliage is similar to collards or kale.
  - Some ideas here that made us feel confident this was worth dabbling. Let us know what you wind up doing and liking! More to come next box.
Turnips - Golden Globe
- We were never about these until we had turnips at a bougie STL spot - basically raw with a garden pesto - PHENOMENAL! While the greens are also edible, many find them bitter due to their high calcium. For the health benefits and to make them edible, treat them like collards and cook ‘em with ham/pork/bacon, garlic, onion and spices. Can be roasted with other root veggies or put into a soup. Boil ‘em, mash ‘em, stick ‘em in a stew. Just give them a chance!
Mushrooms - Golden Oyster
- We have yet to have enough time to master a fruiting regimen for our culinary mushrooms. Any lucky recipient should know these are happy accidents. We are so busy with the garden that our inoculated logs are sadly an afterthought. If you are a mushroom lover or maybe mycelium-curious - LET US KNOW! Give us consent to slide up in your boxes with some fungi for a good time! Or tell us to back off - that’s cool too. We live to serve.
Peas - Snow
- Last year we primarily had snap peas and edamame so these were a change of pace. They are the snap peas much flatter cousin that does not develop round peas and have edible pods. They are great raw in salads, tossed in pasta, or sautéed as a tasty, simple side dish. (Sugar Snap Peas are actually a cross between garden and snow peas!)
Lettuce
- If ya’ll know us - you know we love to push lettuce to new bounds and force it through some hot-ass heat. Typically, lettuce will bolt - or send shoots upward in an effort to bloom - at the first signs of heat. As we tipped into the 90s this week some of the more mature plants wanted to run for the hills. Luckily, we seeded several beds and still had plenty of juicy leaves ripe for the picking. As always, eat up your greens ASAP! We rinsed before bagging and gave her a spin but highly recommend making a salad and saving the rest in your receptacle of choice. Don’t delay - these greens are tender AF!

Bagged Together:

Carrots - Baby carrot mix
- We didn’t thin these early enough and watered them like crazy so they will be plumped for future consumption. Pulled some of these early which explains why they are smaller in stature. To be expected at this time of year, but we wanted to get you excited for what’s to come.
Baby Beets - Detroit Red
- These started indoors in March in trays and were transplanted out in early May. Unfortunately, rabbits found a tasty snack and nibbled the greens before we got them covered in time. Trust us - by the end of the year, you’ll likely be sick of beets but we have a wide variety coming to keep things interesting. If you are a beet lover (like us) and are interested in having larger amounts for storage this winter we would be happy to share the wealth at the end of the season.
Garlic Scapes
- One of summers biggest joys, these get snapped off of the garlic plants we have growing to ensure more energy is sent to the bulb’s production instead of spent on creating seed. Highly recommend making a pesto with your carrot tops or whipping up a compound butter for toast or a hummus/dip. More ideas here.
  - Garlic Scape Chimichurri
Green Onion
- This year we planted more onions than we could ever know what to do with! These were actually just clustered at the end of a few rows and meant to be pulled early and used as scallions. We hope you are as pleased as we are!
Green Garlic
- This week is a mix of a new soft neck variety and our usual favorite! Can’t wait to pull and cure these soon.

Rare Finds: This year we are all about letting nothing go to waste which means more variety in your boxes and surprises along the way. We are doing our best to track who receives what but if you are ever pining for anything let us know. The below will hopefully make it onto your table some point soon but there just wasn’t enough worth specimens to go around this week.

Kale
Bok Choy (see here)
Broccoli

HERBS: Mint | Sage | Cilantro | Chives

See Box 1 info for details on our first herbal tea blend. Flower seeds were either marigold mixes or snapdragons - two very reliable producers in abundance in our garden. We hope you enjoy!

TBD: A Note on Strawberries

We are usually blessed with a surplus but between worrying/watering other things, weeds overtaking our (3) newly established rows, and very hungry bunnies - there was simply not enough to go around. We plan on prioritizing these in coming weeks since our blueberry bushes and blackberries are still struggling to produce in mass. Patience is a virtue my friends!

- Sunday, 7/7 : Harvest Weekend / Bi-Weekly Pickup in the Suburbs
  - Box 3 kicks off for those of you committed to the 2 week cadence.
- Saturday, 7/13 : VOLUNTEER DAY - 4:00PM - Sundown
  - We can literally always use a set of extra hands. Come see the magic of the garden once the heat of the day breaks.
- Saturday 7/27 : U-PICK HAPPY HOUR - 4:00 - 6:00pm
  - This will be the first of these this season and feature flowers and strawberries. Bring your own vessel/basket for collecting - more details to come but hope to see you in the fields!
- See here for additional harvest dates and events!

June - CSA Box #2

Upcoming Dates to Note

July - CSA Box #3

June - CSA Box #1