Just over 2 weeks ago (May 23) we had a late spring frost – and customers (at the farmers’ markets & CSA) are still concerned & asking how the crops were affected.

It appears that the fruit was not damaged. But various vegetables were. The artichokes that were already struggling due to lack of rain were totally wiped out. This was only our 2nd attempt at artichokes – last year’s crop was quite successful – and we are disappointed at this loss. Cauliflower was damaged badly, as was zucchini. We had extra zucchini plants & replanted – they just won’t be ready as soon as we had planned. Other crops were hit less severely such as snow peas & the new blackberry canes.

Here is an update on the fruit. The blossom petals have all dropped off, leaving the fruit visible. It is growing at a rapid pace!

Pears have a heavy crop.

Most plums have a nice crop.

The peaches vary. Some trees are quite light, while others have a full crop.

The early cherries don’t have a lot of fruit, but the crop is better on the later varieties.

The raspberries are looking very good – the bees were busy in the flowers today after the rain!

What’s in the box?

Lettuce, spinach, radishes, rhubarb (Tuesday only this week – Friday next week),

Asian greens (Friday only this week – Tuesday next week).

• We first grew this lettuce last year & everyone loved it! It tastes great & looks incredible. The lettuce has been rinsed once to remove most of the field dirt, but you will want to wash it more thoroughly!
• We have received many comments on how delicious the spinach was last week. Enjoy it once more this week – there is more spinach growing, but it always tastes best this time of year when the temperatures are still cooler.
• This is the last of the radishes. Eat them fresh, or try roasting them for a different flavour.
• Rhubarb – what do we do? We don’t quite have enough rhubarb for our CSA this season, but there is too much to ignore & waste. We have decided to offer it on Tuesday this week & on Friday next week. This will allow it to regrow in between. We’re hoping there will be enough so each share can at least make 1 rhubarb crisp or even a pie.
• The Asian greens will be a mixture of colours & textures. Add them to fresh salads or use the heavier, thicker ones in stir-fries.

Here’s our favourite fruit crisp recipe. We make it all year-long with rhubarb or whatever fruit is available fresh or frozen. It’s easy, quick & delicious!

Aunt Elvira’s Fruit Crisp

Prepare fruit & put in a pie plate – about 3/4 full

Topping: Mix together –

1/2 cup brown sugar (or to taste)

1/4 cup flour

1/4 cup rolled oats

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

2 tablespoons butter

Spread this topping over the fruit and bake in the microwave for 12 minutes. Enjoy!

 The lettuce that will be in the CSA box this week.

 

A few pictures of our first CSA pick-up of the season, last week …

The newest additions to our farm – 30 chicks & 10 ducklings arrived last week.