Beausol Gardens 2009 CSA newsletter #9

Greetings, Beausol locavores:

Quick: when I say "Summer," you say...... "Tomatoes!"

While tending to the fields this week, I noticed a red globe hiding amongst the tomato vines. Upon further investigation I found more and more, A couple of weeks earlier than "normal," but about on time for the last couple of years. HU-rray!! And for those who may have responded "Cucumbers," I found a couple of those nestled in their part of the field, too! And both just in time... The summer solstice announces the changing of the seasons - from the season of brassica (kale, turnips, broccoli, cabbage) to the season of solanacae (tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, potatoes) and cucurbitae (squash, melons, cukes).

We're harvesting the last of, and tilling under, spring crops and beginning to harvest, and planting more, summer crops. And we're starting seeds for fall crops already. This week we weeded and harvested and weeded and harvested and weeded... With many thanks to Holli and Katy. Busy, busy, busy.

The potatoes continue their decline. I think we will do our big harvest in two weeks, Sunday July 12. It's a later than usual, but we should have a great crop. I am hoping that we can borrow a tractor- mounted potato digger so all we will have to do is pick the spuds off the soil surface and not resort to days of shovel work. If you are interested in helping with the potato harvest let me know; I'll reserve a row for you.

The edamame have little baby pods now, so we should be getting some edible soybeans next week.

I have identified the fellow making all the racket in the woods. One of our beautiful pileated woodpeckers is the Buddy Rich wanna-be. One day this week I was positioned perfectly in the field to spot him high in the tree I suspected of being the primal instrument. He was eyeing it for the perfect place to produce the perfect timbre (pun intended) then drumming his tambour for our listening pleasure. The goldfinches are enjoying the seeds of the flowers we failed to cut. The cowbirds and doves tried to steal our buckwheat seed (for our summer cover crop while we wait impatiently for the proper time to succession plant more veggies for you).

The praying mantises are growing up, the eating must be good. The Japanese beetles are much too healthy also. As dry as it has been the last couple of weeks the mosquitoes must be finding water for breeding somewhere because they love Deb's legs... who could blame them. (For you feminists, I write this with Deb's approval.)

Our flower growing endeavors are much to the liking of many flying and fluttering creatures: hummingbirds, bees, wasps (the little good predatory kind) and butterflies all are enjoying the flowers - in different ways - as much as you are, I hope.

This week it looks like the greens are all done for the time being. We will pull all the carrots for you this week. They did not turn out as I had hoped. While they are tasty, they are not very big. Our companion planting experiment, while not a total success was educational nonetheless: We know not to do that specific arrangement again! Next year it'll be alternating beds.

So this week we will hand dig enough potatoes for everyone, divide up the carrots and throw in the last of the cabbage and broccoli. These will join a tasting of tomatoes (probably just the full shares this week) squash, garlic, onions and herbs. This week I am looking at cilantro, thyme and lemon basil for you. I made a pretty tasty (if I do say so, myself) pesto with cinnamon basil. Deb reports the lemon basil is too lemony for pesto, so pull out your recipes calling for lemon grass, lemon peel or lemon extract for substitutions.... hmmm... a lemon basil pound cake?

The flowers, if we can get them away from the birds and bugs, will be combinations of stunning ornamental millet, gladiolas, echinacea, dianthus, daisies, phlox, gooseneck loosestrife, yarrow, zinnias, gomphrena, "Frosted Explosion" grass and scabiosa.

See you soon.
Harry