Transplanting Corn
Monday was a long day of getting the last of the “summer crops” in the ground. We were a bit behind due to the cool/wet spring and it feels good to finally have them (corn & winter squash) in the ground. Phew!! A huge thank you to the extended crew we had that day to finish up the task. I am positive the corn and beans are going to become fast friends (above pic: beans germinating on the left, corn going in on the right). Transplanting corn may seem silly to some of you (and trust me, I am still getting my head around it). In the past, I would pop out with my seeder and walk up and down the beds, seeding 1000′ in about 20 minutes. Now, we fill flats in the greenhouse, hand seed them into the flats, then hand transplant them one by one. This all takes about 14 man hours. BUT it nearly guarantees a crop (I hope I didn’t just jinx myself). Sometimes the direct seeded corn wouldn’t germinate, sometimes it would get eating by bugs, sometimes crows would pull each one up for a spring snack; and then we’d be back at square one. At least this way, we know they are in the ground. Now we just have to keep the raccoons out when they ripen!!
Rainbow Chard as Big as my Head
Every year some crops do better than others. The beauty of buying into the CSA, is you get to see the correlation of the yearly harvest with weather observations (or insect / rodent visits). And the longer you’re a member, the more you get to enjoy the rhythm of the years over time. Every one is special and every one graces us with abundance. Right now the chard and kale are picture perfect. Large, luscious leaves will fill your plates and bellies. It’s really fun to have super successful crops; it’s a feast for the eyes & the belly and harvesting them is such a treat.
Strawberry Love
Speaking of treats and successful crops, have you seen the berries yet?!??!! Holy moly, one of our best years. Beautiful, tasty and easy picking — be sure to get them while they’re here!!!
This Week’s Bounty: lettuce, chard, pac choi, chinese cabbage, kohl rabi, parsnips, tat soi, black radish, garlic scapes
