2014 Spring CSA Week 5

Things are progressing like clockwork.  Radishes, arugula, asian greens come out, tomatoes go in.  Now, if we'd get some consistent warmth...The cucumbers, peppers and eggplant haven't made much progress since we planted them 2 weeks ago, but the zucchini looks good, the beans have germinated and the next generation of spinach and lettuce are coming on.  Onions, leeks, and garlic love the rain.  We narrowly missed a horrendous hail storm last week--5 miles further east and we may have been wiped out.   First taste of kale or chard this week, the last of the radishes for spring, and likely the peak week for asparagus is now.  I experimented this week by letting a bunch of the asparagus stay in the field until today--some of the heads are nearing flowering, but I just had some, and it remains remarkably tender.  I think it's better than harvesting early and refrigerating.

By the way, our current favorite way of eating  asparagus is to cut it into 1 inch pieces, blanch briefly until tender but still crunchy, plunge into cold water, and toss over out lettuce greens.  Toss with olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper.

Still time to commit to a party in the Garden!!!!! http://friendsofgardenofideas.blogspot.com/

Anyone interested in our 4H club: come to the Garden on Saturday at 10 or 2 for information.  Our first formal meeting will be June 7.

The once a month spinning and knitting club is growing and thriving.  What a lovely sight to see a dozen ladies with their colorful yarn projects in the garden on a beautiful May day.

In this week's share:

Arugula
Chard or kale
Asparagus
Lettuce!!!!
Mixed asian greens
Last of the radishes
Garlic chives!!! Delicious!!!! Makes a great pesto. (Feel free to omit the parsley in that recipe for a really punchy pesto!)

Eat well!!!!!

Spring CSA Week 4

I wish I had time to walk the labyrinth!!!!

Lots in the share this week:

Arugula--as it gets warmer, flavor gets stronger.  I love it in a salad with chipped asian greens, but also as a pesto or wilted into a bowl of pasta.  Here are other ways to use it:  Arugula recipes

Spinach--lovely right now

Mixed Asian greens--tender and mild

Asparagus--it just keeps coming!!! 2 or 3 more weeks?

Radishes!!! Huge bunches this week.  My lunch everyday right now is diced radishes and radish greens sauteed in butter with salt and pepper.  That's it.

Leeks (first thinnings) or microgreens--more microgreens than leeks.  Inconsistent temps have been difficult wiht the micros so far this year.

Rhubarb!!  Just a bit.  Keep it simple--rhubarb compote over vanilla ice cream is the way to go!

Eat well!  Enjoy!

Oh.  We've got the grass fed cow butter back in the stand.  Let it warm up to room temp. Fantastic.

Spring CSA Week 3

We've finally had some weather even a turtle finds suitable for basking.  All of the outdoor crops find it equally hospitable.

The rest of the first spinach crop is in this week's share, and in its place will go tomatoes!!!  We look to be possibly frost free for the season; that is always the most exciting time for the vegetable grower.

Cucumbers, squash, peppers, and eggplant are all planted.  Beans go in tomorrow.  Lettuces are sizing up, and we offer small bags of small heads in this week's share as we thin them out.  More and bigger ones will be coming.

In this week's share:

Spinach
Asparagus
Arugula:  too much arugula?  Make Arugula pesto
Chives:  DITTO!!!!!
Lettuce or beets
Big bunch of perfect radishes!!!



Eat well!!!!!!!

Remember our benefit on MAY 31!!!!!!!!!
$125 for party attendance and raffle ticket for sculpture.  $50 just for the party.  See our new greenhouse going up.

Not much room: register now!!!!!  Register here by hitting donate button!!!!

Lots of interest in 4H club.  E-mail if you are interested!!!!  More info to follow those who have e-mailed already.

Spinning and Knitting club in Garden this Sunday at 11.  Great group!!!!!

Spring 2014 CSA Week 2!!!

Ok, things are turning, growing, ready for harvest.  A much improved share this week.

But first a word from our sponsor:

The above sculpture is entitled "God Explains to the Chicken Why the Chicken Can't Fly".

A ticket to our May 31 benefit gives one a 1 in 75 chance of winning this!

Details here (should be fun!):

Friends of Garden of Ideas Benefit

Space is limited.  Respond soon!!!!

Another word from our sponsor (this one won't cost you anything!!!)

We are very pleased to announce that we have been accepted to start a 4-H club at the Garden of Ideas. Our focus will be on vegetable gardening, backyard chickens, and exploration of the natural world.  This will be a serious commitment for interested children between the ages of 8-12.  Please let me know if you are interested; we will likely hold membership to a dozen of so.  This is a great organization with a long history.  Benefits are impressive:  http://www.4-h.org/about/youth-development-research/positive-youth-development-study/


Thanks for listening!!!!

This week's share:

Arugula--this is so insanely delicious.  I eat it all day long.

Asparagus--a small handfull, so good.  Keep it simple.

Spinach or baby radish.  The radishes are true babies, and they and the leaves are so tender.  For a treat, chop the leaves and radishes into bite size pieces, saute quickly in butter and salt and pepper.  Eat.

Chives.  Hope you liked them last week.  We've had chive pesto everyday for a couple of weeks.

Microgreens.  For newcomers, these are the nutrient laden young leaves and cotyledons of pea shoot, radishes, kale and mustard.  Tangy and fresh, add them to a salad, or dress them alone and eat.  Add them to sandwiches.  Feel energized all day.

Ramps!!!! I've sourced a hidden spot.  Dug a few for each of you.  Enjoy!

More stuff coming on--beets, turnips, more asparagus, arugula, lettuce coming on fast, asian greens likely next week,younger spinach, green garlic!!!!!

Real food.  Eat well.