Rainy day for first CSA

03 Jun Rainy day for first CSA

The rain may have been falling but the smiles were bright at the start of the CSA season at Blooming Glen Farm. The wet weather has brought an end to the month long mini drought and scorching summer humidity. Temperatures have dropped a full 40 degrees since the weekend- another predictably unpredictable spring! We do like drier weather here at Blooming Glen- it means we can plant on schedule, and irrigation allows us to keep the crops growing. However, I’d never seen our soil so alarmingly dry, and certainly a lot of our spring crops suffered tremendously from the heat- the peas in particular. Despite that, I wouldn’t have minded the rain holding off a bit longer until after the strawberry season, or at least falling a bit and then moving along. Alas, not the case, but the berries are still looking beautiful for those brave enough to venture out in the chilly drizzle and slog through the mud to pick them.

It’s always a welcome change of pace here at the farm when the CSA starts. It’s wonderful to see new and returning members- clad in their bright raingear this week!, and to witness the collective excitement for fresh picked veggies. We have committed to consistently growing spinach this season- so far we’re off to a great start. The share this week contains a variety of spring roots: french breakfast radishes, a milder yet still spicy radish, as well as hakurei turnips and kohlrabi (or as one of our crew members coined- “purple alien plums”).

All three of these roots are wonderful grated raw in a slaw. Check out our previous blog post on slaw variations for some great recipe ideas. Don’t forget that you can always enter a veggie into the search box of the blog, or check out our recipe section on the website.

6/2/15, CSA share #1

Also in this week’s share is green garlic, a young garlic pulled fresh before it bulbs up, with a sweet mild garlic flavor. It can be used like a leek or scallion- I just chop the whole thing up- bulb stem and stalks, and sauté it first with a few spring onions, then add whatever greens I am cooking. Enjoy!

Next week, Wednesday June 10th, is our first boxed delivery shares to Beth El Congregation in Yardley, and Crossfit Summa in Doylestown. More information on pick-up protocol at these specific sites will be emailed out to those members tomorrow, so keep an eye out. We are excited to be partnering with these new communities of members. Thanks!

Post and photos by Tricia Borneman, Blooming Glen farmer and co-owner. Tricia and her husband Tom have been farming together since 2000. Blooming Glen Farm is entering its 10th season bringing high quality certified organic vegetables, herbs, fruits and cut flowers to our local community. Tricia is passionate about food, art and nature and the intersection and expression of all three.