Farm Message for Saturday, September 12, 2009

Star Hollow Farm News

For the week preceding Saturday, September 12th, 2009

Hi folks,

It's Fall again (not according to the calendar, but certainly in our minds). Even after a not-very-hot summer the change in the atmosphere is always welcome, even if it signals the coming of winter, again, eventually, hopefully not for a long while. I grew up on the West Coast where it didn't ever freeze and the shift of seasons was so minor as to be easily missed. One of my great pleasures living on the East Coast is seeing – feeling – those changes, enhanced of course by our outdoor work. Enjoy!

This week's planned produce: New or back-on-the-list items underlined. Some items will sell out early.

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Greens: baby arugula, baby bok choi, braising greens, rainbow chard, Catalogna dandelions, kale, lettuce, microgreens, pea shoots, baby spinach, turnip greens.
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Veggies: beans (green, Lima, Romano), beets, broccoli, carrots, celeriac, corn, cucumbers, eggplant (Oriental), leeks, okra, onions (red sweet, yellow and cippolini), peppers (sweet and hot), rhubarb, scallions, shallots, tomatillos, tomatoes (standard, Roma, heirloom and cherry), yellow squash, zucchini, and butternut squash.
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Herbs: basil, cilantro, dill, parsley, peppermint, sage, sorrel, tarragon, thyme.
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Mushrooms: crimini, portabella, log-grown shiitake, white.
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Berries, melons, fruit: blackberries, blueberries, ever-bearing strawberries, cantaloupe, Gala apples, peaches (end), Bartlett pears, Stanley prune plums, and seedless grapes.
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Other items: the usual eggs, butter and cheeses, but with the addition of the garlic/dill chevre, ash logs and demi sec goat cheeses. The usual preserves, with the addition of tomato jam last week and peach jam this week.
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On sale or reduced: our log-grown shiitakes, the Roma tomatoes by the 10# box, bags of seconds potatoes -- about half price – most are seconds due to mechanical damage from the harvester :(

On the farm: We've been at the potato harvest since Monday morning, with lots coming in, and in general they're looking good for size and quality – doesn't look yet as though the blight hit them where it hurts. The biggest disappointment to us is the degree of mechanical damage our new potato harvester is causing to the tubers as it digs and shakes them. So, on the plus side, those of you really pinching pennies should be able to find half-price seconds available in the store each week throughout the winter!

Open farm weekend: We had a great time over the long weekend with those of you who made the trek up here to see where we live and work and grow your food. It's so nice to make the additional connection of having you (and your families) up here at our place, sharing our farm and home with you. Thanks to all of you who came!

Star Hollow Farm blog: Post on the blog or check others' posts if you are looking for or willing to offer a ride (www.starhollowfarmcsa.blogspot.com).

CSA-Specific Information

Planned CSA produce for this week:

This week the plan is for a head of bibb lettuce, an English seedless cucumber (grown in a Pennsylvania greenhouse), some of the last sweet corn, LaRatte French fingerling potatoes, a tomato, one of the first butternut squashes, the first honey crisp apples, the last peaches, and a jar of homemade jam. Enjoy!

Adams Morgan CSA volunteers: Thanks to Kristen & Kayla and Karen for their help handing out orders last weekend. We appreciate your help!


Thanks for your support!

Randy, Chris and all at Star Hollow Farm

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