This has been a pretty beautiful season so far. Three-quarters of our fields are in some stage of haying and should be up in the mow by this weekend. It’s a lot of sweaty, exhausting work to tackle all at once, but also a welcome relief to have so much under our belts so early in the season. Hay making is such a touch and go activity around the weather, if drawn out it has the potential to hijack your whole summer, taking precedence over everything else and keeping you from starting other big projects around the farm or making any real plans in your off time. One is always waiting around to see if the window will be right for cutting, and then suddenly dropping the few weekend or evening plans that you dare to make during the season. With solid week-long spells of clear skies we can get a good jump on it all though.
The veggies are filling in their rows and looking terrific so far. A nice mix of sun and rain has helped the plants put on good growth, yet it’s been cool enough that they aren’t bolting before sizing up and dry enough to maintain good control over the weeds. The strawberries are still holding out on us, but truly are right around the corner. Our favorite variety, Sparkle, is a slightly later season berry but in our opinion well worth the wait. It is so much juicier and so much tastier than any other strawberry around, it really should have a berry category all its own.
Reber Rock is holding their second annual open house this Sunday. Take a look around the farm store, enjoy live music and eat some good food from the Poco Mas taco truck. Located at 1699 Jersey street (look for the big red farm sign) from 10-4. Click here more information.
In the Farm Shares
In the veggie share: bunching onions, lettuce mix, mesclun mix, chard, kale, arugula, radishes, asparagus, napa cabbage, dry beans, oat and wheat berries, cornmeal, whole wheat flour. Up next: strawberries and garlic scapes, peas are on their way.
In the meat share: Scrapple is back! buckwheat oat and corn oat. Tasty and delicious—fry some up and top with maple syrup for a breakfast that can’t be beat. All cuts of beef, pork and broiler chickens in the freezer. Lard available by request.
Related articles
- Full and By Farm: More Rain This Week (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Full and By Farm: Magical Year in the Fields (So Far) (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Full and By Farm: Haymaking Farmers (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Full and By Farm: Spring Greens (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
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