CSA Updates

From SHF CSA

Spring is coming just a bit late for us here at the farm. After our scheduled 2 week "spring break" from harvest, we were hoping to start up next week but it looks like we're a little late getting the greens going so it'll be a 4 week break instead. We're a little sad about that but we're still plugging away and all of those two weeks of produce will just show up in the next shares.

We're also looking for more members to join in supporting the farm, to eat the produce and help pay for our labors. If you know anyone who eats, or if you eat (and live within a reasonable distance), consider signing up for a spring share - just $57. Spread the word!

From SHF CSA

More farm news...
Our propagation situation is vastly improved this year with automatic water, a covered space, and heat mats. There are a bunch of things seeded in the flat above, but I thought it was interesting to see that the first seeds to germinate were right in the cells that were on the heat mat, while the other cells which were hanging off the heat mat were late in germinating. Why do things so obvious as this still fascinate me after doing this for so long?

More interesting that that, perhaps, is that we're closing the loop and spreading last year's composted sod back on the beds. Onions, garlic, potatoes, and arugula have all been treated to a generous helping of compost, in addition to the regular amending of the soil that we do.

From SHF CSA

The dry weather of the last few weeks helped us catch back up after we got behind early in the season. We'll see how long this rain cycle lasts and wether we get behind again. Meanwhile we're getting little construction projects done and working under plastic.

Progress

From SHF CSA

Lots of spring news. Things have been incredibly busy on the farm, and thus the dearth recent of posts. We've been busy putting up the hoop house pictured above. We've seeded a few crops in the house already. Monday we got the water plumbed to the new house and the end walls put up. We're hoping to have power soon and thus a bit of supplemental heat to start seedlings. In the meantime Sauvie Island Organics has been kind enough to allow us a little space in their unheated house for our earliest starts.

From SHF CSA

Our first crops are up out in the field. We seeded two beds to various mustards and lettuce two weeks ago and covered them with clear plastic to speed germination. In the photo you can see that the plastic wasn't long enough for the entire bed so the second half of the beds haven't germinated. They're up now though, and it's all covered with floating row cover to help speed it up. We'll see if we make our first potential harvest in April. There are also a few over wintered crops doing well.

From SHF CSA

I've cultivated the garlic and onions, and we also have some kale and collards which are starting to make raab. All of this and I'm trying to keep up with CSA sign ups, ordering supplies for the year and not fall too far behind on the record keeping. Adam has been out volunteering his time again this year, and that's been fun, taking a little pressure off. CSA shares are selling slowly and steadily but there are still quite a few left so if you're interested, or know folks who might be please let them know, and let us know. More news soon...