What’s been going on!

Thanks to all of you who sent kind words about last week’s newsletter. The pundits are giving HB662 a 50% chance of getting through the Legislature.

Jennie and company have been hard at work this week getting ready for and planting the Big Top tomatoes.  They pushed hard to get the landscape fabric down and half the trellis up by last Friday so the NC State folks could come out and plant their research plots.  For the second year, so they have good replication, all of the Cherokee Purple have been grafted to root stocks that have root systems that take up more water than normal.  Last year’s trials produced some interesting results so it will be good to see if they produce similarly again.

The beginning of this week the rest of the trellis has been erected and the other 12 rows and nearly 800 plants have gone in the ground.  Perfect weather to transplant the last two days with overcast and a bit cooler to better let them get past the shock.  A couple of new varieties this year including one that we brought back from Sicily last fall.  The early tomatoes in the little tunnels are flying along with lots of blooms and growth.  Tomato sandwiches soon!

We are not on the Piedmont Farm Tour again this year but Jennie is suggesting that we do it next year.  It is a great fundraiser for Carolina Farm Stewardship Assoc. and a good way for people to see the farms that they know from farmers markets.

Picture of the Week

Some of the research tomatoes with special irrigation set up and soil moisture sensors

What’s going to be at the market?

Crepe paper like Poppies are back!  Dutch Iris too, in blue.  Ranunculus winding down, in yellows, oranges, reds and pinks.  Probably the last week for Anemones.  Betsy’s beautiful Bouquets as always!

Lots of Little Gem Lettuces this week along with Summer Crisp and the first Green Boston.  Braising mix and some lovely Spinach.  A ton of Red Radishes and some sweet Japanese Salad Turnips.  Lacinato Kale, really nice this early.  The first Broccoli Raab of the season!  Cilantro.

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.  Just so you know, sometimes not everything listed will be at the Wednesday market.

Hope to see you all at the market!

Alex, Betsy and Jennie

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