CSA Week 14; Back to Haying!

Hay from Sweetland Farm means high quality mixed grass bales made on actively maintained fields; bales average 45 pounds.

While June seemed like one long glorious stretch of sunny days, August has switched gears. We’ve been waiting anxiously for a “weather window” to start making our second cut of hay. This week, with 4 (slightly iffy) days of sun in the forecast we decided to take the plunge. We are racing around on tractors to get it all fluffed (tedded) and raked before baling it up. Our main hay loft is chock full of first cut bales, so we’re excited to have space above our new barn to store it away for winter. Since we don’t overwinter any animals at Sweetland, these bales will all go to local horse, goat, sheep, alpaca, and cow owners. We even have a few rabbit and guinea pig customers! Let us know if we can add your menagerie to our list.

In the veggie fields we have begun to till under early summer crops and sow cover crops. This time of year we are planting a mix of oats and field peas. The oats provide a quick germination that suppresses weeds and adds lots of organic matter to the soil, while the leguminous peas will fix nitrogen from the air through the nodules on their roots. Combined, they will help us conserve and build nutrients in the soil for next year’s veggie crops, and provide food and habitat for beneficial insects and microorganisms.
Meanwhile, above ground the veggies are really kicking into high gear. We are in the glorious season of tomatoes and basil, with many of the other “high summer crops” coming on tap too. Get ready to eat!

Cheers

Norah and the Sweetland Crew

Week 14 Harvest

Half Pint

Corn, 3 ears

Carrots, 1 lb

Kohl rabi, 1

Fresh onion, 1

Pepper, 1

Lettuce, 1

Tomatoes, 1.5 lb

Cherry Tomatoes, half pint

Radishes, small bunch

Brimming Basket

Corn, 5 ears

Carrots, 2 lb

Kohl rabi, 2

Fresh onion, 2

Pepper, 2

Lettuce, 1

Tomatoes, 2 lb

Cherry Tomatoes, pint

Mesclun mix, .35lb

Radishes, medium bunch

Veggie Monster

Corn, 7 ears

Carrots, 3 lb

Kohl rabi, 3

Fresh onion, 3

Pepper, 3

Lettuce, 2

Tomatoes, 3 lb

Cherry Tomatoes, one and a half pints

Mesclun mix, .5 lb

Radishes, large bunch

What’s Cooking This Week

You can find ingredients for all of these recipes in our farm store! We source meats, dairy, grains, beans, sweets, and more from local and sustainable producers. Don’t forget to use your CSA member discount!