March 28, 2012

Today's Pickings

This is March, right?
I guess this is what it means to have a hoophouse!  I am thrilled.  Today I picked a fair amount of fresh green things for you.

More pictures of today's harvest:

(You don't need to use facebook to see these.)

No extra eggs at the moment but only because several people have reserved some.  The hens are laying at least 1 1/2 dozen a day so just say the word if you want some on the weekend.

5 bags mesclun - includes tiny Pak Choy in bud (think broccoli) and lots of arugula and mustard - $3.00 each
3 bunches radishes - the first of the season, tender and crunchy - $1.25 a bunch
1 bunch chicory - slightly bitter yet sweet and juicy - $2.50
1 bunch Red Garnet mustard greens - $2.50
3 bags microgreens - mostly mizuna and the last microgreens for awhile - $1.00 a bag
3 bags pea shoots - $2.00 a bag
1 bunch French sorrel - $1.00

Usually I remember to leave some eggs and other extras in the porch frig when I am out.  As long as someone's name is not on the item, it's available.  Email, call, check the "Farm Stand" blog, or feel free to stop by and take a chance that there will be something yummy for you.

Please return clean, dry bags, if possible.  Thanks.
Laura

EGGS AND EXTRAS

These days I try to send out an email each week to people that are interested in eggs and other fresh, homegrown items.  Today's list includes 10 bags of microgreens, picked this morning in the hoophouse, and 5 dozen eggs.  Since sending the message around noon, I've sold 3 dozen eggs and 2 bags of greens.  The hens keep laying and the greens keep growing so there will be more coming along.

It was lovely to pick the microgreens.  It was my first real harvest from the hoophouse!  Later I weeded and took note of the kinds of plants coming up out there.  Jewelweed, lamb's quarters, and maple trees for weeds; poppies, carrots, fava beans, and horseradish for planted crops.

In the next few weeks I expect there to be plenty of eggs and for microgreens, mesclun, arugula and radishes to be coming along.  If you would like to receive emails about what is available each week, send me a note.  laurat-at-crocker.com

2012 Farm Shares are on sale

For information about farm shares, go to the CSA BLOG

MICROGREENS

I am growing my 3rd batch of microgreens. They are almost ready to pick. Tonight I plan on picking some delicious PEA SHOOTS.

So far this has been fun and easy. I haven't run the numbers yet but my sense is that they cost alot to produce. Each seed makes a tiny seedling, packed with nutrients and sweetly delicious but the same seed can also produce a whole kale or chard plant making pounds of greens. So it's a bit puzzling. Also, I am learning about whether or not to reuse the potting soil for multiple batches. The directions say to compost the used soil and that may be the best plan but using fresh soil each time increases the cost. ASIDE: (I feel like I am writing this in such a farmer-like way, trying really think about the crop. Perhaps that is a sign that my farming skills are growing. I believe so. But a completely different way to write about these tiny greens would be: WOW! These are so fantastic! Yummy, fresh and packed with nutrients. Such a treat for the winter time! If I have extra, I will let people know and you can come buy a bag! You will be very happy if you do.) BACK TO THE PRACTICAL: SO, it may be that I will grow these for myself or for additions to the shares. But who knows, maybe I'll get good at it, find inexpensive sources of seed and soil and eventually wholesale to restaurants, etc. In the meantime, I'ma gonna grow me some greens!

(These pictures DO NOT do the microgreens justice. And the flavor is amazing.)

Ancona egg. Really these are the palest of tan/pink, almost white.

I am learning to grow microgreens! They are delicious.

An assortment of new green eggs from the young hens.

EGGS and other EXTRAS

Most of my produce is sold via farm shares but sometimes I have way too much to give to the shares. This season (2012) I will be trying out a new system in addition to the prepaid shares. When I have extra vegetables, I will send out a list of items that people can ask me to pick to order. I haven't worked out the details yet, but if you are interested in receiving emails about that and about extra eggs, just let me know! laurat-at-crocker.com My idea is to send an email once a week and people could let me know what they want. I will pick those items and have them ready to be picked up at the farm. This would allow folks to hear about available vegetables and to buy them when it is most useful in their lives. Interested? I hope to grow extra green beans (mostly Rattlesnake because they taste so good), mesclun and maybe some other greens to cook. Other items from my lengthy crop list will be available when the individual crop is in full swing and it's doing well. No promises. And of course, the shares will always take precedence. Some of the items that might be available will be tomatoes, hot and sweet peppers, garlic, and more. I am aiming to have mesclun each week. It's an experiment, for sure. At the moment, I think that Saturday would be a good pick up day, mostly because it would not conflict with the CSA share pick up day of Thursday. More details to follow... SOME OF THE EXCESS FROM LAST YEAR: (Not to mention the 10 gallons of edename in my freezer...)

2011

I seem to have a theme going on here. No actual Farm Stand, but do call or email if you want some vegetables or eggs. If you check the CSA blog post, you will be able to see what is in season, but you can also just ask me. laurat-at-crocker.com

I maintain a separate email list for EGG CUSTOMERS, sending out messages when needed, no more often than once a week. I am happy to add you to the list if you would like that.

Some of the main crops I will be growing this year, and hope to have enough to sell, are:
Mesclun, beans, summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes, hot peppers and scallions.

LAST YEAR'S POST:

Like last year, there is no farm stand this year. BUT if you need something, feel free to call or email me to ask about fresh vegetables and flowers. I am growing a lot of them! I also have delicious chicken eggs available most every day. Everything at the farm, including the eggs, are grown organically, although the farm is not certified as organic. I am very picky about never using chemical fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides anywhere on the farm. It makes me shudder just to think of it!

Call a day ahead and I will pick flowers or vegetables for you. I can put them or eggs in a cooler in the screen house/farm stand for you to pick up. For a list of all the crops I am growing this year, click on "back to the farm" and look at the entry for 2010 crops. I love to grow everythng!

Eggs are $4.00 a dozen.