The shifting of the season is one constant on a farm where nothing is ever quite the same. It's something I really enjoy about this profession and something I've learned to embrace. Sure, there are plenty of routines and schedules we maintain but no two tasks are quite the same. We cycle through plantings and move to new fields, sing new songs, and no matter how much planning we do, you never quite know what the days ahead will bring. Try as we do to plan and learn and improve, there's a certain amount of mystery in growing vegetables that makes it all worthwhile.
We're hitting the heat of the summer and share contents of the next couple weeks will reflect that. We stop growing greens for about a month this time of year because they are tender and don't hold up well in the heat. These are crops we keep covered with a protecting fabric to exclude the pesky flea beetle, which chews holes in the leaves. Temperatures sizzle under that fabric and the greens wilt right down.
Many have noticed that absence of head lettuce this week. We aim to have head lettuce every week of the share and we're right on time with our plantings. We've had trouble with deer getting the lettuce before it's ready to harvest. Despite our efforts electric fencing and flash tape, they march down the rows nibbling the hearts out of every head. We started planting lettuce inside our main field which has a permanent and more effective fence, so head lettuce will be returning to the share soon.
Green beans and sunflowers are ready to pick! We have many plantings of all the upick crops and hope to have a steady supply into the fall. The tomatoes are showing nice fruit set so far but aren't quite ready for harvest and the first eggplant and peppers are nearly ready to pick.
This week the share will include:
Green curly kale
Rainbow chard
Carrots
Beets
Fresh onions
Fennel
Summer squash
Zucchini
Cucumbers
Pointed head cabbage
Green cabbage
Napa cabbage
Green beans PYO
Herbs PYO
Flower bouquets PYO
Sunflowers PYO
Just a reminder, we only allow one pickup per week but the choice of day is up to you. If you cannot make it for one of the weeks, you can always send a friend to pick up your share for you. Please remember to bring your tote bags! The shareroom is open Monday & Thursday 2-7pm, Tuesday and Friday 12-5pmUpcoming Programs and Events:
Friday Night Dinners: Join us for dinner by Chive and music in the Stone Paddock. The family-friendly dinners feature food grown or raised on our farms (as well as other local area farms.) Dining on the farm is one of the best ways to enjoy the flavors of the season! Ticket prices include full dinner buffet, non-alcoholic beverages, and dessert. Beer and wine is available for purchase. Sign up now!
Meet the Machines: Sunday July 23 4pm
Balers and bucket loaders and harrows, oh my! Pack a picnic and spend a summer evening at Appleton Farms meeting our machines. You'll get to climb aboard backhoes, check out manure spreaders and try out the view from our tractors. Afterwards, enjoy music and your picnic brought from home in the stone paddock. When you’ve gotten your fill of machines try your hand at some lawn games or get your face painted. Also make sure to say hello to our goats, sheep, and bunnies in the barnyard! Limited picnic tables will be available, but feel free to bring your own lawn chairs or blankets! We'll have free lemonade and water available for all.
Saturday Hay Bale Hangout:
Every Saturday 10AM-2PM Member Child: $5 Nonmember Child: $10Join us at Hay Bale Hangout and spend the day at Appleton Farms. Stop by anytime between 10AM – 1:30PM for fantastic farmyard meet and greets! Hands on activities start at 10AM and run every half hour. Once you’ve paid, stay for an hour or all day! Cash only please. No additional cost for adults.Camp Update
The first two weeks of camp were a great success! Highlights included a farm to table dinner (cooked by the campers) and a visit from a local veterinarian who showed campers how to care for animals.
We are still enrolling for Farm Camp! Openings in one week sessions!
News from the Creamery
Introducing Round Piont, a new cheese created by our resident Cheesemaker. Round Point , a soft, full-flavored cheese. It is now available at the store and will be part of the Cheese Share!
Our Cheese share started on July 10th. It is not too late to sign up for the next 9 weeeks. Sign up at the store or email screighton@thetrustees.org.
Get 2 cheeses selected by our Cheesemaker on a biweekly basis.The share is open to all Trustees members and includes 10 weeks of cheese over weeks (every other week). You can get details and sign up at the store. Cost is $150 (retail value is $200). A Cheese Share also makes a great gift! If you are just signing up, we will prorate your share.
