News from the farm for Saturday, September 4, 2010, Labor Day Weekend

Hi folks,
Just in case you haven’t been around for awhile, a few things have changed…

• All-new website: www.starhollowfarm.com.
• New CSA store address: http://store.starhollowfarm.com.

Good news… we got our new high tunnel under cover. I tugged Chris, Anna and Sam all out of bed early to get the plastic covering up, over and secured by early this morning, before much breeze began. And amazingly, all went according to plan. No one was lifted into the sky. We’ll plant a number of Fall crops in there starting next week (some transplanted from seeds sown several weeks ago, and some direct seeded). The end walls will go on before we get into freezing temperatures — something that sounds far off, intriguing and even desireable at this particular point, as the mercury hovers in the 90s. One nice bonus Sam and I experienced the day before was seeing a bald eagle fly right over us as we were working on the tunnel on Monday. Pretty impressive to see.

Less than impressive was the discovery that our specialty cucumber crop in the other high tunnel succumbed to a foliar disease and is a complete loss, after looking so promising just a week ago. No Striped Armenians, Suyo Longs or other cucumbers from our high tunnel this Fall. Drat…

Produce list (new items in italics)

• Berries, Melons & Fruit:  blackberries, cantaloupes, apples (Cortland, Gala, Ginger Gold, Honey Crisp), peaches, bartlett pears, Stanley prune plums.
• Greens: arugula, chard, Lacinato kale, mixed cooking greens, microgreens, lettuce (bibb), pea shoots, salad mix.
• Veggies: green beans, carrots (orange & mixed color), corn, cucumbers (pickles, slicers, English), eggplant (Italian, Oriental, Rosa Bianca), garlic, kohlrabi, okra, onions (red, sweet yellow, cippolini), peppers (green & red bell, sweet mini, cayenne, jalapeno), potatoes (mini, gold, red, purple), scallions, shallots, tomatoes (red, green frying, heirloom, plum, cherry), yellow squash, zucchini (green & gold).
• Herbs: basil (sweet, mixed), chives, cilantro, parsley, peppermint, rosemary, sorrel, thyme.
• Mushrooms: crimini, portabella, white.
• Other items: free range eggs, cheese, preserves, etc.

CSA truck volunteers
Many thanks to Tina and Andres for their help at the truck last week. We have a calendar at the truck for you to sign up for a two-hour shift handing out CSA boxes.  (At this time we’re covered up until Sept. 25, when we still need two people.)

Planned Weekly Harvest Box produce
Romaine lettuce, white corn (2), small garlic, specialty carrots, medium onion, mixed zucchini, rosemary or thyme, peach, nectarine, honey crisp apples (2), cantaloupe.

Thanks much for your support!
Randy, Chris & all at Star Hollow Farm