26 Jun · Sun 2011

Juggling Act - Farm News: Week 3

I hope you are enjoying these lovely warm summer days and cool evenings. The veggies at Moraine Farm are thriving in this weather.

Sorry I've been negligent in sending you farm news. I'm still juggling the ordinary demands of farming and the extraordinary demands of setting up a new farm. It seems I'm not always such a great juggler! More juggling this coming week as I figure out how to set up an irrigation system for the farm.

We are farming on some seriously sandy soils. So far, mother nature has been generous in giving us just enough rain for our veggies to grow. As temperatures climb, and rain becomes less frequent, we will depend on irrigation to keep our crops growing. This year, I'll be setting up a 26 hp pump to pull water from the pond. Some of the water will flow through drip tape that is laid in beds of tomatoes, eggplant and peppers. Much of the irrigation will be applied using a Kifco Water Reel. Take a look -- http://www.kifco.com/our-products/about-water-reels. I sure hope it's as easy as the animation makes it look. (I'm pretty sure it won't be!)

I heard from several of you last week wondering what to do with kohlrabi and salad turnips. I tend to eat both of these crisp veggies raw. I peel the kohlrabi and cut it into slices; I usually just munch on salad turnips whole. Here are a couple of nice recipes for those of you wanting to do a bit more with these veggies: Sauteed Kale with Kohlrabi, Curried Red Lentil, Kohlrabi & Couscous, and Curried Hakurei Turnips.

We hope to give you a bit more choice in your share this week: a bunch of Swiss chard or a bunch of red Russian kale; a bunch of kohlrabi or salad turnips; your choice of an herb from our expanding offerings - cilantro, dill, parsley, summer savory or sage. Spinach will make it's last appearance unless the weather is unseasonably cool, and we hope the romaine lettuce is ready for you this week. Radishes could make an appearance in the share. Radishes really don't like hot weather at all, so keep your fingers crossed (if you like them!) Beets are finally ready to harvest and you'll find them in your share this week, too

Thanks for supporting local agriculture! And many thanks for your patience as I improve my juggling!

Gretta