Abbe Hills Farm CSA

Greetings shareholders,

This week, we will have potatoes, onions, garlic for the last time, tomatoes, sweet peppers, hot peppers, kale and collards, green beans, and parsley.  The last planting of summer squash made it through the frost last week, so it's possible that the Thursday people will get some squash.  Monday people will get some small cucumbers left from last week.   

We need some rain and some sunshine and some heat.  It's too cold, and we've only managed to get about two tenths of an inch of rain from a week of dreary weather.  We're still irrigating the fall crops nonstop.  They, and everyone else in the garden, will benefit a lot from a week of normal temperatures.  If we get enough heat, I think we'll have more edamames next time, possibly okra.  Cilantro will be big enough to cut next week.  Hopefully, the wonderful greens I'm growing for you for fall will have a giant growth spurt, too.  They really really really need it!

I wish I had a dollar for every fat green tomato that is sitting in the garden.  I'd quit farming and live off the interest.  The frost didn't hurt the tomatoes or peppers much.  Heat will help them ripen and change color.  Tomatoes this week will likely be skimpy since I picked every single one that had any red on it on Wednesday last week, getting ready for the frost.  But I'm quite sure there will be lots more next week.  

The green beans continue to live and make beans.  Unbelievable.  They are getting a little fatter and a little tougher, but they taste marvelous (because of the cool nights), so we're going to keep picking them.  Cook them a little longer to soften them up.  Should have beans for another week from this crop.  And I've got 14 (AGHHH) rows of late planted beans that might make a crop (once again, if they can get some warm weather!) before frost finishes them off.

IMPORTANT REMINDER:  Hope you are still reading.  This is week 16 and the LAST WEEK FOR PICKUP ON MONDAY AND THURSDAY AFTERNOONS.  Pick up on your normal night this week, but for the next four weeks after that, EVERYBODY PICKS UP ON SATURDAYS, 10:00 UNTIL 2:00.  So, the final  five pickups of the season are September 19/22 (4:30 until 7:00), October 1 (10:00 until 2:00), Oct 8 (10:00 until 2:00), Oct 15 (10:00 until 2:00), and Oct 22 (10:00 until 2:00).  Please put these dates on your calendar. 

Three more things: 

This Saturday, September 24, is the Moving Planet Bike Ride Cedar Rapids.  It's part of a global event to demand action from world leaders to get moving on climate change.  I've farmed for 23 years, and every year, the weather is more unpredictable and problematic.  You know - you read about it every week in this newsletter and you experience the consequences when you carry your vegetables home.  I'm not the only farmer who is alarmed - farmers all over the world are reporting similar experiences.   This event is a very small way to take action locally and call attention to the growing climate crisis.  The event starts at Prairiewoods.

Saturday, October 9, is the Mt. Vernon and Lisbon CROP Hunger Walk.  I'll be walking and will be happy to take your contributions.  I'll leave my contribution envelope at the sign-in table.  I hate it when 4th graders have more donations than I do!  Please don't let me be embarrassed!  CROP is a project of Church World Service to help hungry people at home and around the world.  A significant portion of your donations will be given to our Southeast Linn Community Center to support the food pantry.

Also, this Saturday, September 24, is the Lincoln Highway Arts Festival.  It's a great time.  Stop by and see the art before you go to Moving Planet.

See you this week,

Laura