2022 season is finally underway! We have spent the off-season tooling up, making repairs, and planning for an even better season. Alas, even the best laid plans are ones which can adapt and overcome. Most of the plants in the field got walloped by unseasonably warm weather right after or during transplant but they generally seem to progressing well! As far as your farmers are concerned, we are doing well and excited about sending out boxes of bounty all season long. If you are new to our produce box, you will learn that I utilize this opportunity to write a little every week about how we do farming and why we think you should buy organic produce.
Sometimes as a farmer, I get just as excited about what’s between the rows as what is in the row. You see, we focus on keeping the whole field covered in living plants as much as possible. By planting annual grasses, legumes, and forbes between the rows we make that space useful, converting sugar from photosynthesis and ultimately sequestering carbon as well as increasing nutrient availability for future crops as forages. By keeping those spaces with living roots we can reduce compaction, reduce or eliminate erosion, and even grow forage for the sheep once the “cash” crop is all cleaned up. Another benefit of living driving and walking paths result more spaces within the field in which we can harbor beneficial insects, reducing our need for pest intervention. Getting this cover established and managing it throughout the season takes time but Im excited to say that we got some timely rains to help those walking and driving spaces really take off!
Garlic scapes! Haven’t had them before? If you like garlic and you like green beans, than you will definitely enjoy garlic scapes. Treat them the way you would a green bean, just know that they have a built in delicious garlic flavor! They are yummy roasted, sautéed, or thrown in a soup. Enjoy!
