Hope Bay Farm Box 2010

Wow time flies! We’re close to 2/3s of the way through this year’s program. I hope folks are enjoying the produce. It would probably be good to have a meeting to give each other feedback and, well, just to get together – we haven’t done enough of that this year…

Anywho, the weather has been amazing and we’re finally seeing things start leaping ahead – as long as they get enough water. Berries have been a bust due to intense bird pressure. Next year we may have to invest in netting to keep the buggers out. Lots to improve on. It’s been a huge learning experience for me – which is all good.

Farmer D

Full Share Box: Baby greens, rainbow chard, lacinato kale, hakurei, cucumbers, and edible flowers.

Partial Share Box: Baby greens, rainbow chard, cucumbers, and edible flowers.

Another busy, busy week has passed. No more radishes (though I just planted a variety that is supposed to do well in the heat of summer), and no more turnips for a while due to an infestation of turnip maggot.

This week marks the transition (finally!) to more summer crops like zucchini, cucumbers, beans and (hopefully at some point) tomatoes.

Cheers!

Your farmer D

p.s. If you get a chance please take the time to wash out your boxes!

Full Share: Salad mix, eatible flowers, rainbow chard, Lacinato kale, 1 doz. eggs, cilantro, and baby summer squash (zucchini and scallopini.

Partial Share: Salad mix, eatible flowers, rainbow chard, 1/2 doz. eggs, and baby summer squash (zucchini and scallopini.

We’ve passed the half-way mark! My excitement has nothing to do with being on the downward slope of the program – rather, we’ve made it this far providing you with full and hopefully satisfactory box contents. I won’t lie to you, it’s been challenging, very tiring but incredibly rewarding and satisfying. I hope you are satisfied too!

Farmer D

Full Share Box: Salad mix, eatable flowers, Japanese turnips, rainbow chard, lacinato cale, French breakfast radishes and garlic scapes.

Partial Share Box: Salad mix, Japanese turnips, rainbow chard, French breakfast radishes, and garlic scapes.

Hello! We are emerging from a very, very crazy month. Things are still crazy busy but we can see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Apologies for going quiet for the past few weeks but it’s been intense – still is… With lots still to plant and replant, and of course, lots of weeding thanks to a wet spring/early summer. It’s been tough going – mainly due to the poor weather. All of our farming friends are behind and dealing with poor germination and pest issues. All we can due now is hope for a warm dry summer and fall.

This week the boxes are a bit fuller in anticipation of a few potential ‘lean weeks ahead as we move from our spring plantings to summer ones. We finally have the polyhouses emptied of the carrots and planted (oh so late!) with tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers. The basil will be planted tomorrow.

I hope folks are enjoying the produce and are happy with the weekly offerings. Because this is all s new to us we are riding by the seats of our pants and as a result haven’t been able to coordinate work bees, farm outings, etc. We still interested in having this happen. Let us know if you would be able to help make this idea a reality.

Cheers!

Farmer D

Full Share Box: Summer salad mix, Japanese turnips, baby beets, arugula, rainbow chard, radishes, garlic scapes, and edible flowers.

Partial Share Box: Japanese turnips, baby beets, rainbow chard, arugula, radishes, and garlic scapes.

Here’s this week’s boxes – pardon the blurriness of the photos – it was a bit dark and early this morn.

Things are generally going well but we are a bit behind in our plantings – especially in the greenhouse. We’re hoping that the drier weather we’ve enjoyed this week (apart from today) continues and gives our plantings the much need energy boost they need to move from our soil into your kitchen.

Other news: We’re hoping to get a listing of the coming week’s contents out to you sooner accompanied by a listing of available ‘extras.’ This will give you an opportunity to purchase additional items for your box prior to your pickup date. We’ve been wanting to do this for a while but haven’t been able to coordinate it as yet. With any luck we’ll be able to provide this service starting early next week. So keep your eyes on your email accounts!

Again, we encourage you to use the farm website to share recipes, thoughts and other information.

Cheers!

Farmer D

Full Share Box: Salad greens, spinach, carrots, hakurei turnips, altaglobe radishes, cilantro, and garlic scapes.

Partial Share Box: Salad greens, carrots, hakurei turnips, altaglobe radishes, and garlic scapes.

Greetings. Re-freashed from a whirlwind tour of San Diego (incredible growing climate – just add water!) I’m back in the saddle.

Boxes are full of fresh produce this week that is holding its own in the wet weather we’ve been enjoying. Pardon the holes – the slugs have also been enjoying the wet…

The wet weather (and slugs) has also delayed/”impacted” our planting. We’re hoping to catch up this week but shares may be affected over the next few weeks. – Farmer D

Full Share Box: Salad mix, spinach, baby carrots, hakurei turnips, cilantro, golden marjoram, chives, and a sprig of mint.

Partial Share Box: Salad mix, baby carrots, hakurei turnips, cilantro, and a sprig of mint.

Big D is away from the Farm from Monday to Thursday. I’ve harvested and packed these boxes to be ready bright and early for their usual time on Tuesday and Wednesday morning. Please ensure that you leave your replacement box for us. Thank-you. -Ange

Full Share Box: Salad mix, spinach, hakurei turnips, carrots, cilantro, chives, and Asian greens.

Partial Share Box: Salad mix, spinach, hakurei turnips, carrots, and Asian greens.

Wow time travels fast when you’re having fun! The boxes are starting to get a bit more diverse. Pretty soon eggs will disappear as they are replaced by more and more produce.

just a heads up for next week: I will be away from the Farm from Monday to Thursday. Angela Conley will be harvesting and packing the boxes which will be ready bright and early at their usual time on Tuesday and Wednesday morning. Please ensure that you leave your replacement box for us.

Thank you! Big D

Full Share Box: 1 doz. eggs, spinach, salad greens, 1 lb. bolero carrots, baby hakurei turnips, French breakfast radishes, Asian greens (komatsuna), and garlic greens (last of the season).

Partial Share Box: 1/2 doz. eggs, spinach, salad greens, French breakfast radishes, Asian greens (komatsuna), and garlic greens.