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August 2006

Friends and CSA members;
          Time for an August update on the farm season and a look at the crops which will grace the bags, boxes, markets, in the weeks ahead. The next four to eight weeks make up the true heart of the fruit and vegetable season in Western Colorado. They are exchange and reward for the weeks of toil, tending, and expectation. Though all the work is continuous, the focus shifts to harvest. Those tangibles which accompany this time make the effort seem more fulfilling, both in body and spirit.
          Timely rains in the past several weeks have eased our dry conditions somewhat. , making our outside work more pleasurable. Cool nights, however, will soon slow growth of the heat loving crops, while making the cool crops glad. Irrigation water remains good. All in all, crops remain in great condition, setting lots of fruits and looking healthy, especially at our newest home place garden . Flowers and herbs are ever radiant and fragrant, with zinnias and sunflowers in abundance.
          We’re seeing a good variety of our many summer squashes. Lots of dark green zucchini, yellow crookneck, light green zahra, striped Italian, or four shades of patty pans. All are used in the same way.
Six varieties of cucumbers are in abundance : dark green standard slicers, light green, smooth burpless slicers, and small picklers(for canning or fresh eating).
Five varieties of sweet peppers are increasing : long green Italia, purple Islander, green ,pointed bells, stocky green bell Yankee. Hot peppers are on the increase also with medium long, stocky, yellow/orange/red Hungarian, long, flat, green chile, dark green triangle shaped poblano ancho, long skinny, curled, cayenne, tiny, red/green hot thai, among others.
          Green, yellow, and purple snap beans will make their debut in the next two weeks. All are great used fresh or lightly steamed for salads, stir fry, or side dish. Snap peas have been quite   abundant this season. We have been picking record amounts, most from the new garden at the home place. Hope you’ve been enjoying them!
Small, sweet gold and red cherry tomatoes are increasing weekly, as are p the larger hybrid red, yellow, and gold tomatoes. Heirlooms are setting nice, but will still be a few weeks. They include purple Cherokee and Brandywine, among others. Leave all to ripen at room temperature. Eggplant is beginning also. First are the long, purple Orient Express, then onto the larger Black Egg.
Sweet corn is looking great this year, and should be ready in the next two weeks.
            Fresh dug red Pontiac and gold Kenenbeck potatoes, (still a bit small) along with five other varieties of potatoes will be ready over the next months.   Carrots are sizing nicely and include many color shades of orange, red, and white. Onions also are sizing well and include yellow Walla Walla, white Super Star, and red Burgermeister.
Garlic is getting dug later than we had hoped, so has lost a bit of it’s attractive look, but has very nice cloves and great flavor. A new crop of radishes(Easter Egg) are back again. They’ll be followed by some smooth skinned, white “Hakurrei” turnips for a week or two. Both are nice grated in salads, or chopped for saute’.   Some of the red beets, green cabbage, sweet corn, and potatoes in the shares and markets in the coming weeks are from the LiSollo farm on Silt Mesa.
          Basil is increasing in amount weekly also. We’ll be adding in some different varieties in the next weeks for some added zip: lemon, thai, and cinnamon, along with the sweet basils. Some leaves may show a slight burn from past heat, but should be fine for most purposes. Parsley, dill (great with potatoes) and cilantro will be added occasionally also.
Lettuces, greens, choi, chards, and kale have enjoyed the last rains and continue their abundance. Let us know if you would like more to freeze, we have lots! Broccoli is sizing nicely.
          Melons continue to set well and will include Passport(green skin and flesh), two yellow cantaloupe types, along with several red and yellow baby watermelon varieties.
Winter squash and pumpkins are sprawling vigorously and setting fruits well.
Hope you've enjoyed the start of the peaches. Early and main season varieties are from Paonia and the Kropp brothers. Numerous varieties make up the season, including Red Haven, Suncrest, Red, Globe, and Cresthaven.    They’ll continue into September. Peach Valley peaches set a light but good looking crop which we’ll add to the Paonia varieties, probably starting later in the month.. Summer apples all set light crops.
Pears will begin within several weeks along with several late summer apple varieties. Strawberries are liking the cooler nights and are on the return, but will probably go to market while the amounts are lighter.
Boxes of canning or freezing peaches are now available. Let us know soon if you would like some. Specify if you want top quality (all number one’s) or less expensive number two’s (some dings, bird pecks, or bruises) Pickling cucumbers for canning will available soon also. Let us know if you are interested.
Contrary to an error in the past newsletter, honey has not yet been harvested. We’ll probably wait until October because of new hives and drier conditions. Only a small amount remains from 2005. Sorry to confuse.
Some syrup, and frozen broiler chickens still remain from the early season. Let us know if you can use anything.
Bear with us as we do our best to keep vegetables and fruits weeded, watered, harvested, packed, and delivered. We continue to plant crops for late summer/ fall and winter seasons, hoping ditch water and rains hold for awhile.
Egg shares may lighten a bit as birds slow down production. We’ll let you know of any changes.
Please don't hesitate to come by for a visit or to help, (always the best newsletter!) or give a call if you have any questions.
          Help us also to meet our financial obligations by keeping to share payment schedules as you have previously outlined.
As shares get packed into boxes, please return them to drop points for reuse by the farm.
Find us Saturday’s at the Glenwood Springs Farmers Market, at the Glenwood Springs High School, 14th and Grand, throughout the rest of the summer and fall.
Please enjoy the fruits of the season and know that your continued support of this locally based, farm fresh food venture, is part of the reason for the season abundance. We are all grateful. For Peace,

Kenny, Gail, and the Farm Crew