dudes, we did it!

alle planting

jeez folks! We practically couldn't get the work organized fast enough for the crew that came on Saturday.  Tasks getting knocked off by the moment. In the end: 3 raised beds made, over 1,500 garlic planted of two varieties, 700+ shallots, 175 feet of potatoes dug, 3 types of beans cleaned, and many full bellies around the long table.  

I reckon I wasn't alone when peering out the window groaning at the snow cover early morning.  As the day ticked on, it shaped up to be well-suited weather for getting stuff done.

Thumbs up people, big thumbs up.

-flip-

march of the shallots

transforming potato into garlic patch

garlic and shallot planting

Lenka during July garlic harvest

Hey everybody:

We're getting to garlic and shallot planting time.  They'll be going in the area up by Miner where the fall potatoes are coming out now. The space will be prepped throughout the week.  With the whirl of September many schedules have filled up (myself included). We haven't had as many people in the garden to work alongside with.  Though the season is winding up, there's still much to see and do.  This Saturday morning we'll be out there and would enjoy the company if your schedules allow.

We'll bring water and hot tea.

sat oct 23rd: 9a-1p.

shallots curing

Many hands make light work.
Keep in touch.

-Flip

tenacious dirt

Afternoon all:

As you may have noticed, the post-flood soil on the veg is stubborn.  We've started to wash the majority of the foods as they come out of the garden.  The bunching plants (cabbage, bok choy, celery)- ones that grow united from a central crown, keep some soil trapped at their base where the plant matter meets on the bottom.  For this, a more in-depth home washing is in order.  This is what we do:

cut above crown so leaves fall away from base

immerse in water and rub clean

The celery has been the most stubborn.  We really enjoy it fresh or frozen, so it's been worth cleaning it up.  The stalks get sweeter and more mild closer to the core.  A cloth will help get inside the spines that need cleaning. 

It's an extra step, but this fresh food won't be around much longer.

Enjoy,

Flip

garden cleanup

Hello:


Come one come all. We'll be doing fall cleanup in the garden this coming Saturday from 9a-1p.  There will be a shared meal afterwards, so bring something you have.  Don't let the food preparation component bring you down. The other evening we had a shared leftovers meal with Matt and Sarah.  Flavorful and casual.


You'll get the chance to see it post high water.  We weren't sure until today that this would be okay, as some of the pathways are still draining.  The forecast is for sun. 


The tasks we're planning to tackle are: cleaning up the tomato zone, taking down the dry seed pole beans and maybe some fence dismantling.  Dress appropriately.


See you soon, Flip and Bob

Flood and Distribution Update

 Good Morning Folks,

Well the excitement is over and the clean up begins. The 5 plus inches of rain that fell on Thursday
hit us very hard. Over the course of Thursday night and Friday the river inundated all of the garden and most of Taylor Park with a couple of feet of water, more in some places.
 Our three not so "little" pigs had to be evacuated from the park to higher ground then eventually off the property all together. Many thanks to the 5 SLU students, Filippi-Dingman clan and Matt Mcguire for coming to our aid. In short we needed to capture the very confused and frightened pigs from their area and literally swim them out about a couple of hundred yards to an awaiting enclosure. Needless to say none of us had done this before so it was quite an experience for sure.

As for the veggies, the water has mostly subsided but we are left with a soggy, muddy mess. To give you an idea, the distribution shed had a least a foot of water in it,  floating buckets, baskets and bags were waiting to float out the door upon entry.
 We have given considerable thought as to how to proceed from here and this is what we have come up with. We will resume harvesting on Tuesday morning (tomorrow) for all of the members (Tuesday and Friday included).
Since we missed Friday's distribution and we are sitting on a bunch of squash that we need to move out of the way, for tomorrow only everyone will have food to be picked up.
The Friday folks will also have a pick up on Friday, hopefully this will have us back on track.

Because of the high water we are going to make some changes to the post harvest handling of the produce. While we are not sure what came floating down river we want to take every precaution in washing the food thoroughly before consumption.
Because of the lack of fresh water at the park we will harvest the veggies and bring them into town for a good washing before making them available to you. Once you get them home we recommend that you do the same.


- So, from now on all of the distribution will take place at 27 Lincoln St.
- For both the Tuesday and Friday shareholders the veggies will be ready for pick up anytime after 3pm on the front porch.
- For tomorrow only both the Tuesday and Friday members will have produce to pick up.


As this adventure unfolds we will keep you in the loop.

In the near future will be be planting the garlic and shallots, we will let you know the plan
in case you are interested in helping out.
Further, we will be in touch with the Fresh share folks about switching over to bi-weekly distribution.

We welcome your thoughts, suggestions and comments.

Stay tuned in.

be well,
bob