pup notes

What a summer.
Hot sun.
Cooling rain.
Two expecting mothers.
And new puppies!

Meet Staś and Rye.

 you'll be seeing these little fellas around the barn and fields. we're training them to be companions as well as animal deterrents in the fields (deer, rabbits, etc...).  they're still in an excitable phase, but you can be firm and not allow them to jump on you + kids. they like attention.

keep in touch. 

Distribution starts next week!

Distributions are on Tuesdays and Fridays 3-6:00p in the barn at 311 Miner Street.

We'll harvest, wash and set up the barn the morning of distribution.

The offerings will be light at first, and pick up in the coming weeks.

When picking up please remember:

* Check by your name on the sign-in sheet so we know you've come.

* Follow the signs by each vegetable, taking the appropriate amount.

   (if you have 2 shares, double the amounts of the sign)
* Any week you can't make it, it's your responsibility to e-mail us a heads up and/or find a substitute.

We'll be around to answer any questions and collect payment for those who are doing installments.


littleGrasse lending: one week loans on books from fermentation to herbals to cooking. Always sign out when lending, and return in good time for other members to enjoy.

Look for an e-mail shortly reminding you of your day, and your account details.
enjoy the weekend,
flip and bob

seed potatoes from storage bursting to be planted!
(they're in the ground now.)

beach opens

Taylor Park opens for the season tomorrow!
open daily 11:30a-7:30p
Lifeguard on duty.
Many picnic areas and BBQ pits.
Kayak rentals available $5/ 2 hrs.

AND
This Saturday they're hosting the
1st annual Amateur Sand Sculpting Competition.
The building is from 11:30a-1:30p with judging at 2p.
Teams up to four people w/ two age categories: under 12 and over 12.
Teams supply their own tools.
Only sand and water is allowed in the building.
Space for 10 teams.
E-mail:    canton.recreation@yahoo.com by tomorrow to register.

We want to do some cheering and hope some folks we know enter!
littleGrasse kids team, anyone?

you-pick tips

Our first distribution is a couple weeks off yet, but there's still very tasty greens in the gardens now for great saladings or stir fries.

Are you interested in coming out to pick? Here's what you do:
* Come at a time that works for you, ideally with ample time you won't be rushed.
* No need to call or contact us ahead of time. If you want to come when we're around 9a-1p is a good bet.
* Stop in at the barn to pick up some scissors or a knife from the black shelf just inside the door. There's also bags in the huge wicker basket.
* Scan the fields for white posts with an orange streamer tied to it.  These mark the current you pick offerings.
*Harvest enough for a meal or two for you and your household.  Unless noted by a special e-mail, most you-picks are meant for fresh eating, rather than larger quantities for freezing.
* Leave the area as you found it.  Namely, if the gauzy white row cover is over a bed when you find it, then re-cover the area when you've finished.

Keep in mind, there's three types of field crops:
1. ones where the edible portion is the entire plant and it's harvested just once like head lettuce, garlic, carrots...
2. ones that bear fruit and are picked throughout their mature season like tomatoes, peas, tomatilloes....
and
3. ones called, 'cut and come again,' like spinach, arugula, mixed greens, parsley....
Be aware of what type veg it is when you harvest it because that effects how it's picked.  For example, there's 2 marked crops in the field for picking right now.  A bed of 3 varieties of head lettuce (one time harvest) and a bed of mixed greens (cut and come again).  When harvesting the mixed greens be sure to cut ABOVE the crown at the base of the plant.  This is where the next round of greens emerges from for the following harvest.  If we're around, we can answer any harvesting questions you have.

white post with orange streamer marking a you-pick area

Come out and get your picking on! 

We've been mixing greens with rice or quinoa or wheatberries, and toasting up sunflower seeds for some killer salads.

CHEERS!

rain day, in a good way

in the beets

The rain sounded more drastic this morning, pattering on the metal camp roof, than it was.  The weather alternated from dry to drizzly, which worked well for transplanting cherry tomatoes and fennel, as well as direct seeding a little patch of short-season peanuts.  We tackled the early greens area, and between harvesting and thinning everyone left with big bags of spinach and beet greens.

It was nice to have a productive low-key morning with you.
Thanks,
Flip and Bob

in the peas and potatoes

in the spinach