CSA 2022 – Week 7

July 18, 2022 by Thiessen Farms 1 Comment

I woke up in the night to a lovely sound.

Rain! A slow, steady, soaking-in rain.

When I got up this morning it was still raining.

Right now our rain gauge shows about 40mm or 1.5″.

This rain was desperately needed. The vegetables already look greener and healthier and happier. I will have far less watering to do for at least a few days. And the cisterns (which were just about empty) will be full again. We are beyond happy and thankful!

Until now I had been spending a lot of time watering the just-planted vegetable seedlings every day. Even then they have struggled to survive. We have lost a lot (and also saved a lot). But the rain does a far better and more effective job.

It is great to see some puddles around the farm again. They won’t last long – but the benefits of this rain certainly will!

What’s in the box?

Beets, fresh herbs, fresh garlic, tomatoes, zucchini, kohlrabi, salad greens.

extras – garlic scapes

Finally beets! We have been taking beets to market for a few weeks now, but have not had enough for CSA. This week there should finally be an ample supply. And for a change, the shortage of beets cannot be blamed totally on the weather! While we did lose some due to heat & drought, we also made some mistakes in our planting. But we seed beets every 2 weeks so there should be lots of beets coming yet. They are tender & delicious! We don’t even bother peeling ours when we eat them.
Most herbs love hot, dry weather. So it’s no surprise that we have an abundance right now. Basil, dill, cilantro and parsley bunches will be available this week. You may choose 1 of these.
We are in the midst of garlic harvest. There is lots! And the quality looks great! Fresh garlic has a wonderful strong, pungent garlic flavour – much stronger than the garlic scapes you have been receiving in your box. Because it has just been pulled and is not dry, it should be kept at room temperature, and in a place with good air circulation. You can leave it there and it will slowly cure & dry. Or enjoy it right away in your cooking, but know that once the bulb is broken open, it should be stored in the fridge and used within a few days. Enjoy!
The tomato plants will benefit immensely from last night’s rain. But the tomatoes themselves will probably have a lot of cracks from all that moisture coming after the prolonged period of dry weather. But there will be tomatoes in your box – hopefully a few more each week!
Zucchini, kohlrabi and a salad green complete your CSA box.