What’s been going on!

Wow!  Memorial Day weekend already, how did that happen?  One of those weeks with lots going on and further complicated by all the rain, as we knew it would. Nearly 5 inches for us but we did manage to get all the peppers in the ground on Wednesday and Thursday so we are now ready for the next tropical depression coming our way for the weekend, at least Saturday doesn’t look too bad but Sunday and Monday wet.

Past the peppers the blueberries came on much faster than we had anticipated with this cool spring and we had to start picking on Wednesday.  The one good thing about the rain is that it came just at the right time to make the berries nice and big.  Beautiful crop and we will try and get as many picked for market as we can.

It didn’t help that months ago I had agreed to two events one on Wednesday and another on Thursday, the only dry day in the past seven.  Wednesday morning, very early, I was again in Raleigh speaking on behalf of farmers and other self-employed people who fall into the health insurance gap for the expansion of Medicaid.

Yesterday I was up early to do the required tractor work so we could plant the last of the peppers and then had to drive to the other side of Raleigh to talk about pastured turkey production at an Extension conference.  No we are not raising turkeys again but there are relatively few who do and I was an easy target.  Then I rushed home to get back on the tractor to cultivate the winter squash before we lose them to the sea of crab grass that has sprouted from the rains.  Glad all I have to do today is pick blueberries!

Picture of the Week

Peppers happy to be in the ground, heavy mulch of rye and vetch

What’s going to be at the market?

 Plenty of good things for the holiday weekend!

Blueberries, nuff said.

The rains have been hardest on the lettuces- Some Little Gem lettuce in Red and Green, a small amount of the Salanova lettuce mix, Hearts of Romaine and Red Summer Crisp.  The first Radicchio’s of the season.  The last week for world’s finest Sugar Snap Peas.  A few more Cucumbers.

In cooking greens we have beautiful dark Lacinato Kale (a.k.a. Dino Kale, Cavalo Nero, Black Kale).  Big heads of Escarole.  Spigariella Liscia (Leaf Broccoli) that we grow for Pizzeria Mercato.  The last of the amazing Broccoli Raab (Rapini, Cima di Rapa).

Roots are building.  Carrots in orange and Purple.  Plenty of tender spring Leeks.  Beets in Red, Gold and the red and white striped Italian Chioggia.  Crispy Red Radishes.  More beautiful Fennel.  Basil to go with everything.  Cilantro, Italian Parsley and Dill.

Plenty of Sunflowers for the holiday table.  Larkspur and beautiful fragrant Stocks.  Wispy, pink and white Sapponaria.  A few Lilies.

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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