CSA SUMMER SHARE WEEK #5 Peter spotted a five foot Tiger snake near the pumpkins yesterday. The good news is that this is a great signal that the pumpkins are ripening...the mice head into the patch to check them out as they start to ripen...looking for ones which may be split or sunburned to feed on...and where there are mice, there are snakes! The bad news is, we have to head in there too to harvest them! We are always mindful of the ecosystem we are nurturing and the fauna it attracts. We also harvest pumpkins wearing gumboots and making lots of noise!

NOTES ON WHAT'S GROWING The next planting of beans is still not ready for harvest due to the cooler weather. It is filled with beans, they are just tiny! We have started harvesting our nectarines. Although the trees are not as laden as last year, the fruit is amazing. We have included a few in each box as a present.

Farming is a guessing game...the predictions we read in November were stating that this would be a hot season. So we planned our greens plantings based on that information. This is actually great weather for growing Spinach and lettuce...and I am sure broccoli would love it too. But as most summer weather hurts these crops, and we hate to have broccoli completely filled with the green caterpillars very prevalent during summer, we do not have excess greens and no summer broccoli planted. There is more Spinach coming along with rocket and 'Perpetual gator' in the coming weeks.

The Autumn crops continue to be planted and seeded. With the cold we have been having and the days shortening, it almost feels like Autumn...we sure hope that we get some heat though in February. The field tomatoes are filled with green fruit and although we are harvesting from them, we are not seeing the flush that we normally get at this time. Luckily the polytunnel tomatoes are still very healthy and producing!

More Sweet Corn! We harvest this right before the truck leaves to ensure you receive really fresh corn. EAT IT TONIGHT as it will be the best now!

Farm Pick Up times are Friday 2-5pm and Saturday 8-11am. Pick up is available at other times by appointment only.

There may be more boxes of cucumbers available for preserving. If you are interested, please email us at petercarlyon@gmail.com.

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 itemsBeetroot Carrots Corn Cucumbers Lettuce Onions Potatoes Radishes

Tomatoes

Zucchini

Extras Capsicum Celery Cherry Tomatoes Chilies Eggplant Melons Nectarines Squash