Here comes the rain…again. It will probably come as no surprise when I say that it won’t be an early start to the CSA this year. Cold nights and not much sun means everything is growing at a snail’s pace. The good news is, it is growing.
Between the showers, garden beds were broadforked, compost was delivered and many wheelbarrow loads were spread. Tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, kale, kohlrabi, cucumbers, zucchini and lettuce to name a few were transplanted out from the greenhouse. Beets, carrots, radishes, potatoes, beans, spicy salad mix and even a bed of edamame are all seeded and soaking up this rain while I cross all of my fingers for a few days of sunshine as there are still onions, cabbages and all the squash waiting in the wings, ready get into that soon to be too soggy again soil!
Much of this wouldn’t have been possible if it hadn’t been for this year’s farm assistant starting last week and throwing herself with full force into the garden. I am happy to introduce Jamie who will be helping out for the summer (or what should be summer). I wasn’t sure I was going to find someone this year, and I sure am happy to have her!
In other news, last Friday we picked up our wildflowers from Lower Trent Conservation and planted our incubator wildflower garden, one of the bird and pollinator friendly projects we are undertaking this season. Over time, I am hoping we can expand from this garden to create larger “pollinator strips” throughout vegetable garden and around the farm. Those of you who have known me for a long time will remember that my undergraduate thesis was all about growing native plants, so it is fun to reacquaint myself with some old friends. With any luck we will sneak a few good flowers for cutting in there too so that you will have the occasion bouquet to enjoy with your veggies.
Speaking of veggies, I know you are all as excited as I am for the pick-ups to begin, but I am not quite ready to make a firm promise on a start date. It is looking likely that it will be the first week of July, but I will send another update with a final decision next week.
Thanks for being a part of Knuckle Down Farm!
Sincerely,
— Jenny
