Summer Share #1 Thursday June 2nd

June 2, 2016 by foxlinecityfarm

Our start of the summer season and things could not be better.

Life is good around here. A big push to get many of the main crops in between the rain showers and we did it! We are a bit tired but so happy the jobs are done. We have moved past our life with potted tomato plants. I am so glad. Tomatoes are a big focus of our Spring. We plant Mid February in the greenhouse, upgrade their containers early March and then water and lug them around all over the place for 2 months and worry if they are too hot, too cold, in too much wind, too much sun, not enough sun, getting enough to drink or too much. A constant “always” on our mind. Last week our tomato plants went in the patch in 2 long days of work. Scott got all the trellises up and I hustled behind him planting all 408 tomato plants in the rows. We expanded our patch this year and added an additional row of ALL red slicers (a full row is still dedicated to the amazing heirloom slicers) and another row of multi-colored cherry tomatoes for a bountiful supply come tomato season. We can’t wait!

Scott with the tomato trellis panels.

This is what you look like after you plant 408 tomato plants! Very pretty I know. Phew!!! The job is done. You can also see turnips emerging next to the drip tape for an early harvest before the tomatoes are ready.

The Tomato Patch.

We are also thrilled the cucumbers are all in and trellis is up, a super long row of assorted sweet peppers all nestled in their row, two big zucchini patches planted, the eggplant is in, monster rows of brussels sprouts go on forever, potatoes look great and the peas and beans are flowering! A “holy cow” 2 weeks of work but a relief to see the garden taking shape and all the transplants getting ample rain and warm weather. Our sweet potato slips have finally shipped and we will plant them early next week and our sweet melon patch will be planted with watermelon and cantaloupe. These are last gigantic job of our Spring duties. Weeding will now take top priority. They too have flourished with all this rain and heat.

Sweet Peppers all in a nice neat row with a very weedy walkway (we like to call them “living walkways”) that will be tended to this coming week.

The broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage patch.

And look what might be just around the corner…..

Purple Potatoes!

Flowers on the pea vines.

Cabbage heading up.

Cucumber vines growing tall.

Things are shaping up to be a fantastic season and we are excited to share the bounty in our gardens.

After 2 late hard frosts we were amazed with the warm weather and rain that the outdoor gardens produced so quickly. The outdoor spinach crop is beautiful and shouted to us to “start early!”. We quickly assessed the other early crops and jumped in to start 1 week earlier than projected. A bit of a hustle but a good problem to have. Thanks to all members for making this happy adjustment.

Let the season begin…..

WHAT IS IN YOUR SHARE

It’s a bounty this week….316 pounds of garden goodness is going out the door today.

Summer Share #1

All shares are packed in reusable totes. Snack Pack is green and Full Share is orange. Please return your totes for reuse with the following week’s pick up.

Snack Pack

Radish medley, beta mix, sweet “Bambi” head lettuce, lime green “Panisse” head lettuce, pac choi, spinach and rhubarb

Radish-A mix of long french breakfast, and red round beauties. Radishes will last weeks in a sealed bag in your refrigerator.

Radishes snipped and ready to be washed.

Beta Mix-My favorite loose leafy green crop we grow. A mix of beet tops and swiss chard. Enjoy fresh or sautéed.

Bringing up the beta mix from the hoop house.

Bambi Lettuce-Mini dark green sweet heads.

Bambi in the hoop house.

Panisse Head lettuce-A wonderful “floppy” lime green head lettuce.

Pac choi-A juicy mini variety called White Flash. Best grown in Spring.

Pac Choi at harvest.

Spinach!!!-A great outside crop for us and it may be short lived with all this heat. Enjoy! 2 varieties a large green called Space and pretty Red Kitten.

Scott washing Spinach.

Spinach air drying before we pack it in tubs.

Rhubarb-Several different varieties and I always like to mention some from my grandfather’s plant that we moved from his garden after he passed away. It is very special to me and it’s leaves are heart shaped. Enough for a pie or crisp.

Scott cutting the leaves off the rhubarb stalks.

FULL SHARE #1

Radish medley, beta mix, sweet “Bambi” head lettuce, lime green “Panisse” head lettuce, pac choi, spinach, rhubarb and Asian Green “carlton”

Radish Medley-A big bag of assorted long french breakfast and little red round rollos. Radishes will last weeks in a sealed bag in your refrigerator.

Harvesting radishes.

Beta Mix-A favorite. A blend of mixed beet tops and swish chards. Enjoy fresh or sautéed. We planted another crop of this mix for later in the season.

Baby Beta Mix.

Bambi Lettuce-Mini dark green sweet heads. Several of these sweet little gems are in your share this week.

Panisse Head lettuce-A wonderful “floppy” lime green head lettuce.

Ready to harvest.

Pac Choi-A larger pac choi with thick juicy ribs to enjoy fresh or sautéed.

Spinach!!!-A nice big bag….A great outside crop for us and it may be short lived with all this heat. Enjoy! 2 varieties a large green called Space and pretty Red Kitten.