Farm News: Week of Saturday, December 3, 2011

On-the-farm
We are slowly getting back to work after the Thanksgiving break. We had a great Thanksgiving with lots of family and good food. I slept in several mornings, and made a point of doing things differently than usual, just so I’d feel like it was a break!

Yesterday — in sixty degree weather — Sam and I mulched all of the garlic for the winter. That helps keep it from frost-heaving during the winter, and will control weeds next season. Many of our greenhouse greens have slowed their production pretty dramatically with the short, gray days and cold nights. This week was the start of deer hunting season in Pennsylvania. They close the schools and many businesses shut down for a few days to a week. I didn’t grow up with hunting and so for me it’s more of a pest control measure during the farming season than a family tradition. I sort of envy those that look forward to a week at the hunting camp in the fall, but then we get to live here in the mountains all year round…

Planning for next year
The seed catalogs have been arriving daily, and many are touting new and improved seeds. Last year we tried a number of new items, with mixed success, but still, I like experimenting. If there is any crop that we don’t have now that you think might grow and be in demand here (in DC), let me know and maybe we’ll give it a try.

[Photo: recently arrived seed catalogs.]

Schedule
As described in an earlier email, we have begun our winter schedule early this year, starting in December instead of January. Below are the specific dates. You may want to expand your order to cover two weeks instead of the usual one. Our greens usually will last about 10 days and the storage crops longer.

Specific dates for this winter’s Saturday deliveries:

• DEC: 3, 17, 31
• JAN: 14, 28
• FEB: 11, 25
• MAR: 10, 24
• APR: 7, 21

This week’s planned produce list

• Apples: Fuji, Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Stayman, Apple-a-Day mix.
• Greens: arugula, cabbage, baby rainbow chard, claytonia, lettuce (3 kinds), kale (Lacinato & young curly), microgreens mix, pea shoots, salad mix, baby spinach, stir fry mix, Swiss chard.
• Veggies: beets, broccoli, carrots (orange & multi-color), celeriac, garlic (green & cured bulbs), Jerusalem artichokes, leeks, onions, parsnips, potatoes (Yukon Gold, Russet, Russian Banana), radishes (black Spanish, Daikon, watermelon), rutabaga, scallions, shallots, sweet potatoes, turnips (purple-top, sweet white, mixed specialty, turnip soup pack), winter squash (acorn, butternut & kabocha). 
• Mushrooms: crimini, portabella, white & Shiitake.
• Herbs: basil, cilantro, parsley, rosemary, savory, thyme.
• Other food items: eggs, frozen chicken, butter, cheese, preserves. 
• Firewood: kindling and logs.

Harvest Box contents
This week’s box contents are planned to be Bibb lettuce, broccoli, collard greens, carrots, onions (2#), garlic, russet potatoes (2#), sweet potatoes (2#), hothouse tomato, Apple-a-Day mix.

CSA volunteers last time
Many thanks to Carla, Megan, Jessica & Chris for their help handing out orders at the truck last time. We really appreciate your help!

Winter truck work
During the winter it will be me and — usually — my daughter Anna handing out the boxes. Volunteers will be back in May, and we’ll put up the calendar for sign-ups awhile before then. Thanks to all of you who volunteered in 2011!

Thanks much to all of you for your support,
Randy, Chris & all at Star Hollow Farm

General farm info: starhollowfarm.com.
CSA-specific info: starhollowfarm.com/csa.
Online store: store.starhollowfarm.com.