In anticipation of the CSA summer season starting and the beginning of our adventure, Erika and I “liked” Native Offerings Farm on facebook so we could receive their updates. Here are a few updates leading up to our first pick up which was late because of some serious weather issues in the region. I’m learning just how weather can affect how things turn out for a farmers crops. The May 23 update is particularly eye opening!!!
– May 7, 2011 – We have transplants in the ground! We were able to plant spinach and the first and second plantings of lettuce yesterday. We planted into hard soil because the ground was still too wet to work up. It was great to finish and look back to see over 5000 lettuce plants. STEW
– May 9, 2011 – Transplanted beets, chard, scallions and parsley were planted today. Beets, chard, carrots, dandelion and cilantro were also direct seeded. If the weather keeps dry we will be back on schedule soon. STEW
– May 12, 2011 – Hot and dry and loving it. This week was the big push. Time to empty the greenhouse of seedlings and work up the fields. Sometimes there is not enough time in the day to finish what you want to do. You are forced to focus on what is essential. The most important word on the farm is vegetable. This is probably why I feel like a vegetable at the moment. STEW
– May 14, 2011 – I would like to give thanks for a week of dry weather. I would like to give thanks that the clouds went away and let the sun shine. I would like to give thanks that we were able work up the fields and plant crops. Now I feel good about the rain because the transplants needed water. STEW
– May 23, 2011 – The river washes away the sand and into the river our field falls. Heavy rains cause erosion and Mansfield Creek is eating the land. Cattaraugus Soil and Water is preparing a permit so we can repair the bank and stop the destruction. The cost is estimated to be between 15 and 20 thousand dollars. So much for the new barn roof. STEW
– May 24, 2011 – IT’S LIKELY THAT WE WILL BE STARTING THE FOUR SEASONS AND SUMMER VEGETABLE SHARES BY THE SECOND OR EVEN THE THIRD WEEK OF JUNE INSTEAD OF THE FIRST WEEK AS PLANNED. We expect fruit shares to start by the second or third week of June. July start share will begin the first week of July. Deb
– May 25, 2011 – Potatoes are planted. Spuds in the ground. Soon they will sprout and spread their love through the earth. STEW
– June 2, 2011 – This will be only the second time in 14 years we will not start the CSA on the first week of June. We will try to start next Thursday. The good news is that we have a lot of crops in the ground. It has been a crazy season. We planted Tomatoes yesterday and now there is a frost warning! STEW
– June 4, 2011 – There was no frost and we planted the rest of the tomatoes and all of the peppers on Friday. On Monday we will transplant lettuce and scallions. STEW
– June 6, 2011 – The CSA starts this week. We will have a pick-up in Orchard Park on Tuesday the 7th (on schedule!), the farm on Wednesday the 8th, and Buffalo and Williamsville on Thursday the 9th. Expect greens, beets, celery root and herbs. STEW
YAY!! The adventure begins…