Spring 2009 CSA
Newsletter April 10, 2009
This Past Week
This past Tuesday morning we woke up to a pretty good frost as our thermometers here touched 30F. Although many of our tomato plants survived, several of them, even under cloth frost row cover protection did not. Unfortunately, most of our peppers, green beans and sweet corn were killed by the Easter week frost as well. Ironically, our summer squash and zucchini, while some leaves were hurt, seemed to survive the cold just fine. GO figure? The good news is that we have a more peppers and tomatoes ready to replace the ones that got “frosted. After drying out over the past ten days or so, we were able to lay more black plastic mulch at our farm lease down the road. FYI we lay plastic mulch with a special tractor implement. The plastic mulch provides an environment that allows the soil to warm up and prevent weeds from germinating in our planting beds. First we make the raised soil beds, and then we lay drip irrigation tape on top of the beds along with the plastic mulch. We then tear small holes in the plastic mulch from which we plant the seedlings that we grew in our greenhouses. The drip tape allows us to irrigate the crops that we planted. The plastic mulch also provides a moisture barrier, which retards our beds from drying out when it begins to get summer like conditions. The only caveat is that plastic mulch has to be picked up come about August which can be more of a chore than laying it.
Field Update
Hoping that the frosts are behind us, we managed to plant our cucumbers and cantaloupe on Friday through some of the plastic mulch beds that was mentioned above. Our broccoli, cauliflower, and Napa cabbage are attempting to recover from the hail storm that impacted us a few weeks ago. The carrots, although slow, seem to be doing fine as they have 6” tops and the carrots average about 1” long. Our potatoes are looking pretty good as they the leaf sprouts mentioned a few weeks ago have now evolved into nice deep green healthy looking plants about 8”s tall. We have replanted most of the greens for our baby salad mix and all are looking good. Hopefully Sunday’s forecast of 70% rain will be moderate. Strawberries continue to look okay; the fruits are still growing larger, but still no red fruit yet. In the greenhouses this week, we seeded our second wave of eggplant, squash, cucumbers and zucchini.
When Do We Begin Etc?
While we can be instrumental via our planting schedule, when we start will be determined by Mother Nature’s agenda. Our first delivery appears to be pushed back possibly another week. We’ll see, but right now next week (4/15) looks too early and April 22nd may be also. Next week’s weather forecast, after Sunday’s rain, is for afternoon temps to be in the 80’s so you never know; the carrots, radishes, cilantro, strawberries and greens may grow real fast.
The email that I sent out last week requesting, “desired Pick UP locations” was very successful as almost 99% of you responded. If you have not already responded, please take a moment to let me know what location you would like to pickup your shares.
At the Bayou City Farmers Market this Saturday, April 11th, we will have the following:
- Baby Salad Mix
- Micro Arugula
- Micro Green Blend
- Smoked Pork Tenderloin
- Whole Smoked Chickens
- Pulled Pork
- No Mayo Chicken Salad
Until next time,
VanCell 713 876 8645
csa@woodduckfarm.com