What’s been going on!

A huge week.  Starting with getting all the peppers in the ground, ending with the start of blueberry picking.  We have moved our pepper planting date back to the third week of May for numerous reasons.  Most people plant their peppers too early when the soil is still cool and the weather unsettled, by the end of May those conditions have improved and the plants can really take off, growing a strong plant that doesn’t have to struggle to get established.  We have two other reasons to plant later; one- we want to let the hairy vetch cover crop get to bloom stage for maximum nitrogen and it is easier to kill, two- because we are in the colored bell business we want the peak of our harvest to be in the somewhat dryer and cooler nights of early September when the fruit quality is higher.  If we were in the green bell business, it wouldn’t matter as much, those things are tough as nails.

Conditions were perfect the end of last week go get the soil ready and Friday was not too hot so that the plants went in without too much stress.  The soil moisture and texture for the no till planting of bell peppers was a good as we have ever had and we rolled quickly through the planting.  A good watering in with the hose and then a long irrigation a few days later and the whole field looks as beautiful as can be possible.

While we could have picked some blueberries last Friday, we always feel we rush it a bit and the first ones aren’t as full ripe as if we wait a few days so Monday was the first official day and we had a small crew make the first pass through the field.  Now they are really rolling, fortunately other than a few days it has not been really hot so we are able to keep up, barely.  Next week should be the peak and we will need more pickers, if you know of any able bodies who might want to come out and pick any weekday morning have them contact us.  We pay cash, $8 an hour for the most enjoyable job anyone has ever had.

Just one week out from the Farm to Fork Picnic.  This year we are paired with our friend and good customer Bret Jennings from Elaine’s on Franklin.  We are still working on our menu items but for sure a blueberry desert and something savory.  Get your tickets now while they are still available and help raise money for new and beginning farmer programs at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems and the Breeze Farm in Orange County

Picture of the Week

A lot of beautiful berries to pick

What’s going to be at the market?

Do I need to say Blueberries?

We are into warm weather lettuce now with dark red and lighter green and red tinged Summer Crisp, that cross between Romaine and Leaf lettuces that can take the warm weather.  Still some Little Gem bibb, crispy and sweet.

The last week for the best Sugar Snap Peas on the planet.  Lots of Baby Swiss Chard, Lacinato Kale and Collards for greens.  The last big amount of Broccoli Raab.  The chicory family with Escarole, some Sugarloaf and Red Radicchio and Dandelion Greens.

Green and Red Spring Onions.  Beautiful Leeks.  Basil along with Cilantro, Dill, Chives and Italian Parsley.  Fennel and Cucumbers!  Maybe some Beets in all three colors.

More of the ethereal Poppies not sure how much longer they will be with us!  Asiatic Lilies.  Tall Larkspur and its cousin Delphiniums.  Huge and widely colored Spuria Iris.  Of course beautiful spring Bouquets.

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, Betsy and Jennie

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.