CSA AUTUMN SHARE WEEK #2Another What's in the Box photo from our school holiday helper Miss Maya!! The boxes this week reflect the slow transition from Summer crops into Autumn...the weather as I write heralds that transition as well...howling wind and rain! The brassica crops are glowing, the tomatoes are slowing down, and the zucchini and summer squash are succumbing to disease.

SWEET CORN - This is best eaten TODAY to enjoy the sweetness of freshly picked sweet corn. There may be corn borers (caterpillars) in the tops of some of the ears. They love it as much as we do! Although they make a mess, you just need to cut off the top of the ear and there is still plenty for you to enjoy. Don’t Panic - It’s Organic!!

Farm pickup is 2-5pm Fridays and 8-11am Saturdays. Box pickup is available at other times by appointment only. Cherry tomato picking is only available during farm pick up times.

NOTES ON WHAT'S GROWING The cherry tomato crop is still producing for “Pick Your Own” during farm pick up times. I recon this is their last week so come and enjoy them. Please bring your own containers. Limit a 1 kilo bucket per family.

Today we pulled the tomato crop out of the polytunnel. The plants were transplanted in October and have been producing since December. They have done a great job! We will sow a green manure crop into the polytunnel now to protect the soil through the winter. Many other areas of the farm are being cleaned out in preparation for green manure crops and a winters rest.

We have finished harvesting the first broccoli crop's main heads but will continue harvesting side shoots. The next broccoli planting has started forming heads as well. The cauliflowers are beginning to show signs of heads forming...probably still three weeks before we will begin harvesting these.

With yesterday's weather, we are unsure how much longer the tomato harvest will continue. Enjoy these last weeks of tomatoes!

NOTES ON STORING THE HARVEST Please check out our Vegetable & Fruit page on the website to find tips on maximizing the life of your veggies. We envisage that many of the vegetables you are receiving this week will last for two weeks with careful attention to storing upon arrival. Although we do wash all the greens after harvest, we are washing to take the heat out of the plants and wash away some surface dirt, not to prepare them for consumption. We also spray a seaweed/herb brew about every ten days. While this will not harm you, it does have a taste. We do suggest washing your produce prior to eating.

WHAT’S IN THE BOX The following are the items harvested this week. Items and quantities in your box may vary depending on your harvest day and the total harvest of each crop. The boxes are completely governed by what is ripe and ready for harvest and how much of it there is. We endeavor to divide the harvest fairly. 1/4 share: 5-7 items 1/2 share: 8-10 items Full Share: 10-12 items

Basil Beans Beet Root Red Cabbage Capsicum Carrots Onions Pumpkin English Spinach Sweet Corn

Tomatoes Watermelon

Extras Bok Choy Broccoli Cherry Tomatoes Chilies Eggplant Summer Squash Japanese Turnips Zucchini

RECIPE SUGGESTIONS

Pumpkin and Spinach Curry - This recipe is an internet find. I love the homemade curry powder! – 30 minute prep and cooking Quinoa Roasted Veggies, Marinated Chickpea Salad Sweet Corn, Chicken and Pumpkin Soup Roasted Japanese Turnips and Their Balsamic Greens Watermelon, Feta and Pumpkin Seed Salad

You can search our recipes by looking for the key ingredients on our website recipe page

Please note - Photo is a randomly selected full share box with the inclusion of a whole pumpkin (the full shares received approx. 2 kilo pieces).