Last time I started out saying something about “It’s becoming a trend: each time we get precipitation, I write a newsletter.” So maybe you were expecting to receive some news a couple days ago? We did get a nice 1.2″ of rain, and now I’m getting out another newsletter.
At this point, the only part of the field still covered with the cover crop is the part of the field too wet to till. I’m ready for it to be dry, because I’d like to get that part of the field tilled under and ready for sweet potato planting!
The (regular) potatoes started popping through the ground this week – that is a nice sign! We have had some pest problems – mostly a rabbit. He seems to really enjoy young cauliflower and broccoli plants. I’ve been trying some different things – today it was a spray that I made up from our eggs, some milk, and cayenne pepper. The smell is supposed to deter the rabbits – so I’ll be watching closely to see if it works!
Soil temperatures were up to the upper 50’s last week. That meant we could plant a few rows of sweet corn. Now we hope that it does not come up yet – tomorrow night’s expected low of 34 (!!!!) degrees might be pretty cold for it.
Here are some kohlrabi! These were started in the greenhouse about four weeks ago, and they should be ready for our first deliver in the middle of June.
We are still a few members short of our goal for the summer CSA! If you want to partake in a share of the produce that’s going in the ground now, be sure to sign up!
Here is that rascally rabbit – captured by an infrared camera at 3 in the morning. Maybe we should start feeding him carrots outside the fence, so that he doesn’t feel obligated to find a way to share in the vegetables we are trying to grow.
It’s time to start thinking about our first delivery! The current plan is to start as scheduled – the week of June 16th. If you’ve signed up for the CSA, I’ll be in touch during the first week of June regarding delivery details.
For the first delivery, you can look forward to peas, lettuce, arugula, radishes, kohlrabi… and possibly spinach, turnips, greens, green onions, and maybe a few other surprises. The weather has been cool, which means things are taking longer than expected to get going. A few good, warm weeks and we’ll be in good shape!
Thanks for your support – at all levels! Just reading our newsletter is nice – there is so much work going on here, and we’re glad that people care (about us, and about where your food comes from). We would appreciate you passing on this newsletter or information about New Family Farm to anyone who might be interested in joining our CSA.
Always growing-
Tony