CSA AUTUMN SHARE WEEK #4We are sad to say that this is the last week of tomatoes. The cold, wet weather we have had and the light frosts of the past week have finished the tomato and cucumber season. We have row covers on the beans so we hope to have more next week but this is the last planting for the season. We have one final corn planting which is still to ripen. The zucchini are finishing as well. The boxes will look much more Autumn-y now.

NOTES ON WHAT'S GROWING

We have spent the week clearing out huge sections of the farm and preparing them for green manure crops. We sow a mixture of grasses, clovers, vetch and legumes. These protect the soil through the winter, keeping the nutrients from leaching out and providing habitat for soil microbea. In the Spring, they grow high and produce a great biomass which we incorporate back into the soil. This becomes the hummus layer that our crops feed from throughout the growing season.

There is still the last corn planting standing tall. Once the tomatoes are removed, most of our tall summer crops will be removed. It has been cold, windy and raining this week. We have had hail as well as heavy rains. The brassicas are all still standing!

We have planted more lettuce seedlings and have them protected with row covers. We also have a mesclun planting that is growing well. If the sun continues, it may be ready next week. If not, the following. There is more bokchoy coming and fennel.

Farm pickup is 2-5pm Fridays and 8-11am Saturdays. Box pickup is available at other times by appointment only.

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 itemsPurple Basil Beans Broccoli Capsicum Carrots Onions Pumpkin Silver Beet English Spinach Spring Onions

Extras Beetroot Chilies Eggplant Lettuce Summer Squash Tomatoes Watermelon Zucchini

RECIPE SUGGESTIONS

Lentils, Monastery style - This recipe comes from my very well used copy of Diet for A Small Planet Pumpkin and Autumn Green Cannelloni

Spinach and Feta Pie - A Jamie Oliver recipe that is easy to make, travels well and liked by our farm crew and children. Pasta with Broccoli and a Lemon Basil Sauce Jamie Oliver's Beef Stew - If you still have turnips left over from last week and you are a meat eater, this is a wonderful slow cooked stew.

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 photo -The full shares received pieces of 2-3 kilos.