the trustees of reservations
Appleton Farms
CSA Blog
A Trustees Property

CSA Info | Wait List | CSA Member Info & Hours | Contact Us | Calendar | Staff Bios | Recipes Blog | Visit Appleton Farms

CSA Info | CSA FAQs | Wait List | CSA Member Info & Hours | Farm Crew | Who's Who | Contact Us | CSA History | Dairy Store | Visit Appleton Farms


Sunday, August 3, 2014

Week 9



July has come and gone with unusual temperance this year and we have been enjoying the warm days and cool nights.  Although many of our summer crops would prefer a little more heat the first blush of tomato season has begun.  It is still too early to get much of a harvest out of our first tomato planting but the handful of reddening fruits give us hope that it will be a good tomato year.  For weeks we have been eyeing the dense and nearly waist high carpet of green that is our watermelon patch.  The canopy is so thick that we haven’t been able to see much of the fruit hidden beneath.  To harvest these summer time treasures we must move through the crisscrossing vines with slow and ginger steps so as not to damage any still ripening melons.  We cultivated our fall cole crops last week and they look to be off to a fantastic start.  With a little extra TLC it just might be a banner year for cauliflower, broccoli and cabbage.  I am particularly eager to grow some exceptional brussel sprouts this season! 

Some of our youthful volunteers.  Thanks guys!
July and August are frantic months for us on the farm.  Harvest takes up fully half the day while all other planting, cultivating, weeding, seeding, and maintenance tasks get crammed into the afternoons.  Even working extra hours and weekends we can’t get to every task at once and we are forced to prioritize.  July and August can also be very satisfying months as each task we cross off our “To Do” list brings us a little closer to being back in control.  We have had some really fantastic, motivated and friendly volunteers who have helped us over the last few weeks when we really needed it most.  I would like to thank these deputy growers again for their incredible efforts.  Russ, Ross, Sam, Rob, Mark, Stella and everyone else who has pitched in, you guys have been invaluable not only as great workers but also as great motivators for our crew.  Your spirit and enthusiasm has invigorated all of us.   Sandy you have been a lifesaver.  And to all of our members, it is a pleasure to be growing for you.  Enjoy the week! 

What’s in the share?  Lettuce, escarole, Alisa Craig onions, cucumbers, cabbage, zucchini and summer squash, potatoes, Marini’s sweet corn, P
YO flowers and sunflowers, beans and herbs

What’s new? Green peppers and aquamelon