Here's to What Is Good, by Angela

"Biodynamics can be summed up as:  Putting one's energy into supporting the good, rather than fighting the bad."  ~Wolf D. Storl, Culture and Horticulture:  a Philosophy of Gardening

Zephyr Summer Squash

The Zephyr summer squashes (see above) went into the ground two weeks late and were leggy, brittle plants. They got blasted by a heat wave then waves of rain. To my great surprise and delight, they grew strong and came timely in the decline of the Patty Pan squashes.

Digging Potatoes

Monday's routine has included the digging of a row of potatoes for the week's share (see above). The crew and work-shares have become quite keen on how to harvest the hidden treasures. The red potatoes were initially another variety that were meant to be only small, golf-ball size. I had forgotten that the varieties were substituted, so now I smile from ear to ear to see a larger baking-size potato from the reds (see below).

Brendan with the Red Maria Potatoes

The asparagus patch is a long-term vision, as it will be another two seasons before a real harvest, but the vigor and health of the plants is excellent, as seen in the photo below of Josh next to the plants at the height of their frond season.

Josh & the asparagus fronds

The hoop houses were in dire need of some rest and relaxation.The first hoop house you see on your left when you come into the farm was sown in nitrogen-fixing cover crops this spring. It has now been straw mulched to maintain a good thick environment for healing and to allow plant materials to decay, thus enriching the topsoil for a great spring early crop to grow inside this great, season-extending invention.

Josh & Molly Spreading Straw in the Hoophouse

Red Hill Farm, Week #13, by Angela

Hello, RED HILL FARM members! Welcome to Week #13. This is a Full Share and Bi-Weekly Tuesday Pickup Week.

Molly will be in the share room this week. Like last week, make time for lots of picking in the U-Pick--woohoo!

I apologize for the weedy farm; oh how it bugs me so. Our tractor has been out of commission for over two weeks due to a faulty starter that has been repaired, repaired, repaired, and--God willing--will ultimately be replaced by tomorrow morning. That said, I may be on the tractor during most of the pickup time on Tuesday to get the ground ready to finally transplant our broccoli. During the pickup hours, I will only be in the fields on the parking-lot side of our driveway, nowhere near the U-Pick; however, I ask for your safety that you please do not approach the tractor. I also ask for your patience if I am turning around in the driveway; please do not drive around the tractor in the grass (due to the numerous header hoses and the faucets that may be damaged). Thank you so much.  :-)

Refractory tractor (source)

The sun is shining and the weather has been superb--what better time to enjoy the fresh produce? This week you may anticipate (in addition to the abundant U-Pick items):

• greens mix
• heirloom tomatoes
• Red Maria potatoes
• red onions
• eggplant/peppers
• garlic
• melons--melons are coming in slowly, so if you took one last week, please do not take one this week. Thanks!