What’s been going on!

While officially summer starts a week from Friday there are a few signals that always indicate to me that summer is really here.  Hot temperatures, shorts all day every day, multiple T-shirt days, light until 9:00, fireflies and most important to us real tomatoes!  The first day over 90 today, someone said the latest that has ever occurred, check, all the rest has been happening for some time but tomatoes until this week.

We have had a few ripe tomatoes over the last week or so but we waited until last night to have the first tomato sandwich dinner.  We each have our own versions but mine is BOT- bacon, our red onions and tomatoes.  Toasted bread, mayo, slices from the heart of the tomato, salt and pepper.  The rest of the tomato I cut into large chunks and have as a side to the sandwich with just a bit of salt so I can taste just the pure fruit and judge where we are in the season.  As to be expected the earliest fruit are not quite as juicy or full flavored as they will be later in the season when the heat really hits but are still so much better than any tomato we have had since our last ones nearly nine long months ago.  Let the debauchery begin.

The Farm to Fork picnic went off smoothly last Sunday, the monsoons moved out and the day was beautiful.  Some really great dishes were served up and the crowd was happy and spread out with lots of room to roam.  Our Smoked Turkey sausage crostini and Early Summer borscht was well received with many folks saying that it was their favorite dish.  We had a great time with Scott and Aubrey from Nana’s and thank them and everyone who participated to make it a great event and raise needed funds for new farmer training.

Picture of the Week

Rob from Chicken Bridge Bakery was indicative of the enthusiasm and skills displayed at F2F

What’s going to be at the market?

The flower department is looking more bountiful.  New this week- Hydrangeas which look awesome from so much water and the first Zinnias.  Campanula (Canterbury Bells), in several colors this week and Gloriosa Daisies (Black eyed Susans), a sign of summer.  Plenty of Sunflowers.  Spuria Iris, the really tall and multi-colored iris, a great long lasting flower.  Fragrant pink Oriental Lilies and yellow and pink Asiatics too.  Beautiful Bouquets of course.

Tomatoes!  A moderate supply this week in both the sweeter Ultra Sweet and more balanced Big Beefs in reds and the great flavored yellow Orange Blossom.  Blueberries still rolling on, plenty if you want a lot for freezing then this is the week.  More tasty Carrots.  Cucumbers.

Still plenty of Lacinato or Dinosaur Kale, is really beautiful, time for those raw Kale salads or Kale chips.  The last of the Beets with Red, Golden and the striped Italian Chioggia this week.  Spring Green Onions.  Leeks are back!  Cilantro and Italian Parsley.  Plenty of Basil for the tomatoes!

As a reminder if there is anything that you would like for us to hold for you at market just let us know by e-mail, by the evening before, and we will be glad to put it aside for you.

Hope to see you all at the market!

Alex and Betsy

If you know folks who you think would be interested in news of the farm then please feel free to forward this to them and encourage them to sign up at the website.