CSA Spring Newsletter: April 30th, 2024 (Week 2/5)

Rows of Dill and scallions from the inner row of tomatoes, the Dill and Scallions will be harvested for the spring shares and markets and then tomatoes grow on filling out the bed and remaining here until late summer.

Howdy Folks,

The buzzing of spring has many bees as well as wasps in the air.  We are noticing more wasps than ever before.  Wasps are farmers' friends because they eat caterpillars.  Not all caterpillars are bad, but very many like the cabbage moth that eats every spring brassica that we grow.  If you ever find a sage green colored caterpillar in your broccoli or on a kale leaf we are sorry.  They are here in big numbers.  This is the cabbage moth caterpillar.  When we hydrocool the greens we keep them submerged in the water so that the caterpillars drown.  This is the easiest way to rid the plants of them if they do come in on the harvest.  It’s not the end of the world if one comes home with you, it’s a sign that you are eating organic food.  Just kill the caterpillar, put it outside, or feed it and watch it turn into a cabbage moth.  

This week every item is coming out of our high tunnels!  We have 2 500’ poly tunnels that allow us to extend the season.  We love them!  This is what makes Spring CSA and early season tomatoes and cucumbers possible.  We built our 2nd tunnel late last spring, so we weren’t able to have as many spring CSA members as this year.  There are 300 spring CSA members for 2024.  We are so excited to be growing for you this spring.

After the long sprint of planting around 70,000 onions the farm was blessed with a wonderful rain.  A light rain the morning after planting and then another a little heavier on Saturday!  Delighted onions!

Cheers,

Chris, Aeros & The Who Crew