foxlinecityfarm

The last week of September and it finally hit us.  The Summer growing season is coming to an end.  This past week I had this odd anxious feeling that I really should be doing “something” or I am forgetting about some really important “have to do”.  The thoughts lingered all week long and then it occured to me…..since mid Feburary every week I start seeds and this past week no seed starting. We have a detailed seed starting schedule to keep our rotations on track.  Lettuce every 6-8 days, 120 cells over and over all summer long, fast growing leafy greens every 2-3 weeks several flats are planted. Early in the season all the tomatoes, peppers and eggplant seedlings fill the greenhouse and then 500+ brassicas then 3 weeks later again and then 4 weeks later again, bean seeds into the garden in long rows in June 2 weeks apart and then again a month later.  The carrot planting rotation….. and the seed planting list goes on.  Planting seeds has been my focus for a long time and now that duty is done.  A very strange feeling.

So, with all this odd free time we plug along with the last weeding duties, garden clean up and harvest schedule.  We are just dragging out the potato harvest as other duties present themselves and this week we will start the fingerlings and dig a few sweet potatoes to tuck in the last shares of the season.  I am excited to see these beauties and eat them too!  The hoop house is transitioning to Winter Share production and over winter spinach is slowly taking over any available space with hopes for an early Spring bounty. Wire frames were ordered for Holiday evergreen wreaths and every so often Scott or I will mention a fun winter art project we are looking forward to crafting.  Life is changing around here.

 

SUMMER SHARE #18

The 2015 CSA Season Survey is in the shares this week.  We would love to read your thoughts and ideas about this year’s season.  Please return your comments by last share pick up/delivery-October 12th.  Thank you.

With the end of the Summer Season approaching please gather and return all share bags and reusable packaging material.

 

457 pounds of produce from the garden this week.  Enjoy the bounty!

 

 

 

SNACK PACK

Lettuce-A delicious head of juicy romaine.

 

Spinach!-A bounty bag of fantastic spinach.  2 varieties and they are great!  Enjoy this Autumn treat.

Asian green mix-A spicy blend of greens to eat fresh or saute.

Beans-An end of season treat! A flavorful romano bean called Capitano. Tender and delicious.

Acorn Squash-The true sign to me that we are starting our Autumn Season.  Here comes the winter squash.

Radish-A snappy bag of thin French Breakfast and round red Sora.

Kohlrabi-A jumbo German variety that tastes great raw added to salads or fun to dip.

Sweet Pepper-We picked an assortment of the never ending pepper bounty and 1 will appear in each share.  What a great crop this year!

Zucchini-1-2 of the end of the summer squash harvest.  Funny to me to have summer and winter squash in the same share.

Slice Heirloom Tomato-Perhaps the end of the tomatoes for the season.  Enjoy this last taste of summer.

 

FULL SHARE

 

 

Lettuce-A delicious head of juicy romaine.

Asian green mix-A spicy blend of greens to eat fresh of saute.

Arugula-A nice big bag to eat fresh or saute.  Spicy and delicious.

Mini Sweet Pepper Mix-Another great harvest this week of these pretty gems.

Sweet Pepper-We picked an assortment of the never ending pepper bounty and 2 will appear in each share.  What a great crop this year!

Jalapeno-Several hot jalapenos in every share.

Beans!-We just started picking this end of season treat.  Enjoy!

Acorn Squash-The true sign to me that we are starting our Autumn Season.  Here comes the winter squash.

Cabbage-A pointed mini variety called Caraflex. Sweet mild cabbage flavor.  Excellent fresh in salads or slaws.

Salad Turnips-We just started harvesting these cool weather treats and wanted to tuck a few in.

Cherry Tomatoes-This may be the end of these little beauties for the season.

Paste tomatoes-Enough to make a hearty chili or stew this week.

Slice Heirloom Tomato-Perhaps the end of the tomatoes for the season.  Enjoy this last taste of summer.

 

BEST GUESS FOR NEXT WEEK-swiss chard, fingerling potatoes, celery, winter squash, spinach, greens mix, radish, honey?, beans, leeks, and more….

 

 

LAST SHARE OF THE TUMMER 2015 SEASON IS OCTOBER12TH.

 

Read Full Post »

A good friend commented this past week that “your gardening must be just about done for the season….”.  “NO WAY!” was my reply.  We are still picking the remaining tomatoes and our 2nd planting of summer squash are chugging along offering up a few beauties every day.  The pepper crop amazes us with it’s beautiful bounty we haul out every week and all the long season Autumn crops are just kicking in. Lots of broccoli and cabbage in the fields too.  Sweet potatoes are still in the ground and we still have remaining potatoes to hand dig.  Not to mention that we just seeded in some late quick radishes and turnips last week and hoop house transplants are still in the greenhouse ready to go. Oh, and the juicy Fall spinach has just kicked in too…. We have a long growing season remaining this year with lots of goodies to share.  And pretty excited about what is yet to come.  We’re not slowing down yet.  We do wonder and worry about the first frost but Scott has pulled out the hoops and row cover if needed for a chilly night to protect our last crops in the garden.

We had 2 inches of perfect rain this past week and the new little garden seedlings loved it and have responded with robust growth…..but, we had to water daily in the hoop house to keep everyone happy.

We spent this past week once again weeding out all the little seedlings in the garden and hoop house.  A long slow job but enjoyable in the cooler days of Autumn. Scott is weed wacking his way around the edges of the garden that get ignored during the busy days of summer.  Our compost piles got flipped and we are slowly cleaning up the areas of the garden that are opening up.  We hope to move and expand our rhubarb area and have mapped out a better location and this area needs to be prepped.  Our garlic beds need to get prepared as well-and then planted….another fun week ahead of the beginning duties for next season.

SUMMER SHARE #17

A wonderful share this week….652 pounds from the garden.

SNACK PACK

Asian Greens leafy blend-A great mix of leafy greens.  Mildly spicy and very pretty.

Sweet Peppers-We picked an assortment again this week and 1-2 will be in your share.

Zucchini-A great harvest from the 2nd planting of our summer squash patch.

Brussels Sprouts-Finally here!  We love this crop.  Enjoy!  A nice big bag in your share this week.

Edamame-Another week of this perfect treat.

Spaghetti Squash-The last of this crop for the season.

Cherry Tomatoes-Still here!  Our Tomato plants are slowing down and we are nearing the end of this crop.

Heirloom Slice Tomatoes-We are nearing the end of our great tomato season.  1 or 2 in every share.  Enjoy the final tastes of the season.

Potatoes-This week’s potato is Superior.  A long term storage potato and versatile-great baked, steamed, roasted or fried.  This variety is a popular variety grown for potato chips.

Broccoli-Erdman and Lerdahl Snack Shares Only.

Eggplant-Baraboo Snack Shares Only.

FULL SHARE

Asian Greens leafy blend-A great mix of leafy greens.  Mildly spicy and very pretty.

Spinach!-The first harvest of the Autumn crop….enjoy.

Sweet Peppers-We picked an assortment again this week and 1-2 will be in your share.

Brussels Sprouts-Finally here!  We love this crop.  Enjoy!  A nice big bag in your share this week.

Edamame-Another week of this perfect treat.

Spaghetti Squash-The last of this crop for the season.

Cherry Tomatoes-Still here!  Our Tomato plants are slowing down and we are nearing the end of this crop.

Heirloom Slice Tomatoes-We are nearing the end of our great tomato season.  1 or 2 in every share.  Enjoy the final tastes of the season.

Paste Tomatoes-A nice sized bag for a quick sauce.

Potatoes-This week’s potato is Superior.  A long term storage potato and versatile-great baked, steamed, roasted or fried.  This variety is a popular variety grown for potato chips.

Radish-A 1st Fall harvest of the tasty French Breakfast.

Kohlrabi-I have always wanted to grow these jumbo beauties….and here they are.  A 1st in our CSA.

Shallots-Long Storage life.  Mild flavor.  Delicious.

BEST GUESS FOR NEXT WEEK-ROMAINE LETTUCE (FINALLY!), MIXED LEAFY GREENS, SPINACH, SALAD TURNIPS, SWISS CHARD, SQUASH, PEPPERS, RADISH, SWEET POTATOES???, BEANS!!!! AND MORE…….

 

REMINDER-LAST SHARE OF THE SEASON IS OCTOBER 12TH.  PLEASE RETURN ALL BAGS AND PACKAGING MATERIAL BEFORE THE END OF THE SEASON.

 

Read Full Post »

Cool damp mornings-we wear an extra layer, long johns and a cap. Work is easier in the milder autumn temperatures.  The air smells good, and the sunlight is heavier.  I love this time of year!  It energizes us and we to hustle with these last growing days of the Summer Season.  Crops we have tended all season long are finally being harvested and the delicious leafy greens that only grow when it is cool are sprouted, up and thriving.  We look forward to every day but wonder when that first frost will arrive.

Big projects all week long.  LONG, really LONG rows of greens needed to be weeded and thinned that often took hours, the pear harvest bonanza continued, squash from the field, a huge edamame harvest and canning!  Our days were full and happy.

Scott kept bringing up crates and crates of the wonderful pears.  We have never had a harvest like this.  Scott’s daughter Amy and I spent a day making delicious pear sauce for winter enjoyment.   48 pints when the day was done and a very sticky kitchen that had to be wiped down before bed.

SUMMER SHARE #16

Fun treats are tucked in the share this week.  Enjoy!  500 pounds of garden delights.

SNACK PACK

Edamame-We love this crop!  A great snack or add the beans to soups and sauces.  Steam or a brief dip in boiling water.  Salt if you wish.  Remove the beans from the pod and eat.  Wonderful sweet flavor.  We had to call Scott’s daughter Amy back again to help.  This time she had to work in the soybean factory allllllllll day.  Thank you Amy for saving us.

 

 

Carrots-Yep, Again……we are pleased really pleased…… Snappy and delicious.  This variety is called Romance and a favorite.

Sweet Pepper-We picked an assortment again this week and 1 will appear in your share.

Hot Jalapeno Peppers-A few for each as the plants were loaded this week.

Eggplant-ERDMAN AND LARDAHL SNACK PACK SHARES ONLY THIS WEEK.

Pears-More wonderful pears to enjoy this week.  We had 1 CSA member comment that they had no idea that this is what “real pears” taste like.

Pac Choi-Beautiful juicy heads from the hoop house.  Eat fresh as a salad or add to a stir fry or soups.

Potatoes-More of those purple Magic Molly wonders.  Fantastic flavor.  These are perfect for roasting or a short steam or even a few minutes in the microwave.

Arugula-A snappy bag to add to pizza or enjoy with a salad.  I love them added to a sandwich for a little zip.

Cherry Tomatoes-The plants are slowing down and we hope for a few more weeks of these beauties.

Slice Heirloom Tomato-1 for everyone.  We are nearing the end of the tomato season.

FULL SHARE

Edamame-We love this crop!  A great snack or add the bean to soups or sauces.  Steam or a brief dip in boiling water.  Salt if you wish.  Remove the beans from the pod and eat.  Wonderful sweet flavor.  We had to call Scott’s daughter Amy back again to help.  This time she had to work in the soybean factory allllllllll day.  Thank you Amy for saving us.

Carrots-Yep, Again……we are pleased really pleased. Snappy and delicious.  This variety is called Romance and a favorite.

Mini Sweet Pepper Mix-A color bag of these pretty snackers.

Sweet Pepper-We picked an assortment again this week and 1 will appear in your share.

Jimmy Nardello Sweet Pepper-A great sweet pepper added to the Slow Arc Of Taste a few years back.

Hot Jalapeno Peppers-A few for each as the plants were loaded this week.

Pears-More wonderful pears to enjoy this week.  We had 1 CSA member comment that they had no idea that this is what “real pears” taste like.

Pac Choi-Beautiful juicy heads from the hoop house.  Eat fresh as a salad or add to a stir fry or soups.

Potatoes-More of those purple Magic Molly wonders.  Fantastic flavor.  These are perfect for roasting or a short steam or even a few minutes in the microwave.

Cherry Tomatoes-The plants are slowing down and we hope for a few more weeks of these beauties.

Slice Heirloom Tomato-1 for everyone.  We are nearing the end of the tomato season.

Broccoli-The start of the Fall broccoli harvest.

 

BEST GUESS FOR NEXT WEEK-brussels sprouts (for sure!), asian greens mix, swiss chard, spaghetti squash, potatoes, edamame tomatoes, spinach (it’s back!) and more…….

 

MONDAY OCTOBER 12TH WILL BE THE LAST SHARE OF THE SUMMER SEASON……..

Read Full Post »

Happy Back to School to all the kid’s in our CSA Family.  Hope it was a great first week.

Hope everyone enjoyed the long holiday weekend.  It always seems to me that Labor Day is the good-bye send off to Summer and the door cracking  open to Autumn.  My favorite time of the year.

A wonderful rain here this morning after the hot dry week we had.  Perfect for all the new little Autumn seedlings starting in the garden.

We chugged along last week in the heat.  Keeping the new seedlings moist in the garden and hoop house was a focus everyday.  We weeded around the last cabbbage and broccoli crops, seeding in some late greens on the hoop house, dug and dug potatoes, and started the great pear harvest.  Our duties are shifting with the season and it feels good.

SUMMER SHARE #15

Another amazing week of goodies….enjoy!  We just crested the 1000 pound goal.  1026 pounds going home this week.

SNACK PACK

 

Purple Potatoes-The variety is called Magic Molly and they are delicious!  The prettiest mashed potatoes.  Pale lavender and creamy.  Can be boiled baked or fried too.  A fun surpise at dinner.  I made purple potato salad for a family gathering this past weekend with these beauties and it was a hit.

Pears!-Perfect Pears!!  An amazing pear harvest for us this year.  Best ever.  What a treat for all.  This variety is the second to ripen.  Creamy and sweet.  Unfortunately several years ago I misplaced all the labels and our site planting map so not sure of the variety.

Mini Pepper Mix-This crop is just starting to come on strong.  A big harvest of these gems for the shares this week.

Sweet Pepper-1 larger sweet pepper. We harvested Carmens, Biscayne, colorful Bells, and thick walled Pizza peppers this week.  1 will appear in your share.

Ground Cherries-A pint of these tasty sweet treats.

Cherry Tomato Mix-A 1/2 pint mix this week.

Heirloom Slice Tomato-1 for all this week.  Our heirloom slicers have peaked for the season.

Celery-Great celery flavor.  Use for soups and stews.  Add to stir frys or the leaves are wonderful added to mix salads.

Salsa Kits-Now this is fun!  Everything you need to make a batch of homemade salsa.  Kit included…..tomatoes, jalapeno, storage onion, garlic, and cilantro.  Enjoy!

 

Sunflower Bouquet-A beautiful Mixed bouquet to welcome Autumn into your home.

 

Cantaloupe or Watermelon-1 or the other will appear in your share.  This is the end of our melon season.

 

 

FULL SHARE

 

Purple Potatoes-The variety is called Magic Molly and they are delicious!  The prettiest mashed potatoes.  Pale lavender and creamy.  Can be boiled baked or fried too.  A fun surpise a meal time.  I made purple potato salad for a family gathering this past weekend with these beauties and it was a hit.

Pears!-Perfect Pears!!  An amazing pear harvest for us this year.  Best ever.  What a treat for all.  This variety is the second to ripen.  Creamy and sweet.  Unfortunately several years ago I misplaced all the labels and our site planting map so not sure of the variety.

 

 

Sweet Pepper-We harvested Carmens, Biscayne, colorful Bells, and thick walled Pizza peppers this week.  2 will appear in your share.

Ground Cherries-A pint of these tasty sweet treats.

Cherry Tomato Mix-A 1/2 pint mix this week.

Heirloom Slice Tomato-1 for all this week.  Our heirloom slicers have peaked for the season.

Celery-Great celery flavor.  Use for soups and stews.  Add to stir frys or the leaves are wonderful added to mix salads.

Salsa Kits-Now this is fun!  Everything you need to make a batch of homemade salsa.  Kit included…..tomatoes, jalapeno, storage onion, garlic, and cilantro.  Enjoy!

Sunflower Bouquet-A beautiful Mixed bouquet to welcome Autumn into your home.

Eggplant-1-2 in each share this week.  They loved the heat last week and we had a great harvest.

Cantaloupe or Watermelon.  1 or the other will appear in your share.  This is the end of our melon season.

Zucchini-The new crop is just starting to really produce.  Nice to have these back in the shares again.

Arugula-A nice sized bag to spice up the week.  Snappy in salads and great on pizza.

BEST GUESS FOR NEXT WEEK-peppers, edamame, pac choi, spaghetti squash, summer squash, tomatoes, brussels sprouts (really!), lettuce, radish, broccoli and more…..

 

 

 

Read Full Post »