The scorching buzz of cicadas is now starting to give way to the comforting chirp of crickets as the afternoon sun sinks lower. The days are noticeably getting shorter, but the gardens are just coming into peak production (and harvests are becoming more and more bountiful). Last week CSA members saw a rich diversity of crops, including:
beets and carrots,
arugula and head lettuce,
zucchini and cucumbers,
fennel, fresh garlic and green onions,
as well as a choice of fresh herbs including dill, cilantro, sweet marjoram, curly & Italian parlsey, sage, two kinds of thyme, and winter savory.
(with the option to substitute any of the above items for extras of anything I had an abundance of on the front market tables, including rainbow swiss chard, two kinds of kale, salad turnips or extras of the above-mentioned crops.)
Soon we’ll be seeing fresh beans, okra, cabbage, tomatoes, peppers and more…
With some wonderful help from the new apprentice – Daniel, as well as the hard work of Amanda, Jennifer & Vojka we’ve been making excellent progress on the task of weeding the gardens and getting to work on some of the other big projects underway this season. I’ll do a more proper introduction for these team-members as the season progresses, and I should mention that they are truly but a few of the many people who have been instrumental in helping everything run smoothly this year – huge thank you to everyone who’s helped out, whether with sweat (luckily not too much blood or tears yet…) or by supporting the gardens at the local farmers markets!
We’ve got a potluck and farm tour coming up in a few weeks here (with live music). if you would like more info please contact me, and don’t forget to RSVP if you plan to attend so I know how many straw bales to set out.
I’ve had a few people with interests in wild and cultivated medicinal herbs come out to the farm to do a little harvesting. Its so great to be able to share such an abundant medicine cabinet of a garden with the community – don’t be shy if you’d like to come pick some herbs! Did you know St. John’s wort can be used to treat mild-depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD – AKA the winter blues)? Echinacea is helpful in boosting the immune system? Calendula can be prepared in a salve or lotion to sooth irritated skin? Just a few of the remedies that seem as numerous as stars on a clear night, offered as gifts, teachers and helpers to those who know how to work with them.
And before I forget, what’s with the title of this post? I’ve been thinking how wonderful it is to bear witness to a small community woven together in what I would describe as a beautiful tapestry, with a common land base and the food it produces as the unifying threads. In that tapestry lies latent powers & sublime potential.
So, thanks again to everyone who’s been coming out to get fresh, hand-harvested veggies at the farmers’ markets – have a wonderful & meaningful week!
Mike
Kolapore Gardens 