Spring 2009 CSA
Newsletter May 8, 2009
This Past Week
Over the past few weeks when the heavens were saturating our little fields with more rain than they could handle, I just kept thinking “I know my Maker is testing me, but with what intentions.” (Now I know a little how Noah felt.) Well I still have not figured out what I was supposed to gain from all that flooding, but I sure do appreciate the break from the rain.
Field Update
The cauliflower is finished and we have about one more week of broccoli. The tomatoes, zucchini and squash appear to be enjoying the hot weather. The windy afternoons are helping us with keeping fungal problems down somewhat. I counted a handful of cucumbers this afternoon, so hopefully more are on their way. The cantaloupe still seems to be lagging, but is showing blooms that means hopefully we well begin to see the onset of fruit soon. We missed a lettuce planting about three weeks ago, when we got flooded, so we are not sure about this coming week’s spring mix production. The deer must enjoy the beet greens as much as Mike Bass, (Mike donated the beet recipe this past week) as they came in Wednesday evening and mowed down a few hundred beet tops. Our fence seems to have kept them out since then, but your next beets may be “topless.” (Well there’s a interesting dinner topic.) Our carrots are still looking good, but competing with the weeds. The potatoes were about golf-tennis ball sized last Sunday, so they should be ready to begin harvesting this weekend. Strawberries? What a disappointment. The fruit appears to be just about ripe and then the humidity feeds the fungal spores which results in the berries turning black overnight. Go figure. I guess next year we’ll plant earlier.
Pick Ups Every Wednesday?
This past week I underestimated the time it required to bunch beets and carrots, which resulted in our driver departing the farm about two hours later than last week. This coupled with Houston traffic resulted in some of the Moveable Feast share holders not receiving their boxes until 6:30 or so. I apologize for any inconvenience and hope you will work with us as we “iron out the kinks.” I now know that it takes two extra hours to bunch beets and carrots.
Coming Next?
This week coming up we anticipate your shares to include some carrots, potatoes, beets (limited), squash or zucchini, mushrooms, onions, green kale, hopefully salad mix, radishes and maybe one more round of broccoli. Not sure what to do about the tomatoes as they are slowly coming in.
Open House at Wood Duck Farm?
As mentioned previously, we are having an open house here at Wood Duck Farm on Saturday May 16th between 10:30- 3:00 p.m.. The format will be a “potluck” lunch with a farm tour and kid activities. Bring your lawn chairs, insect repellant, and sunscreen. No bare toes! Please RSVP by this coming Wednesday.
Nature’s Symphony
Summer evenings at Wood Duck Farm are little like something out of Disney (to me anyway) as about twilight the bats start swarming for “skeeters”, the wood ducks start whistling, the bullfrogs start croaking, the tree frogs sing in rhythm and finally, when there is a breath of silence, the crickets step in and maintain their “twirping” until the next overture begins. Tonight is even more special as the moon appears to be near full. Oh well, with a bright moon I may need to go check on our beets as I bet those deer are “eyeing” them.
I’ll be at the Bayou City Farmers Market tomorrow, Saturday May 9th. I should have my normal coolers of greens and prepared food items. I think I’ll have some extra broccoli as well.
Until next time,
VanCell 713 876 8645
csa@woodduckfarm.com