Farming can be a game of reminders. I need to remind myself sometimes just how difficult planting was without a transplanter. How difficult farming was with little kids. And just how dry and hot was last summer.
I try to remind myself because we can obsess on what’s before us right now. Today the topic du jour is rain. If I so much as say hi to someone, I hear about how the big, bad rain is making their life difficult. From weeds in the garden to moving a kids birthday party inside. I also look at the forecast and say, “Man, I have to get such and such done, what’s with the rain again on Tuesday?”
Before my annoyance grows too great, I remind myself (see first paragraph). I transport myself to July of 2023 and try to remember just how hot was that string of 90-degree days. How we spent hours just pulling hose around the farm to keep plants alive, much less produce well. These little reminders put the annoyances of today in clear relief – they are just small little bumps in everyday life. And, in reality, the rain is a great blessing this year. It comes periodically enough that we have some of the best brassica crops I’ve seen in a long while. I expect great things out of these huge broccoli plants, all green and lush. Cabbages are a nice size and starting to form inner leaves. And those potatoes really have great foliage.
The rain isn’t all bad and these temperatures have made for chill workdays. I’m sure July will bring us the heat we need in time, but, for now, let’s enjoy what’s right before us.
In the box:
- Napa Cabbage: Big thing in box –
- Green Onions
- Snap Peas: These are edible pod, so no need to shell
- Radishes
- Salad mix
- Swiss Chard: I’ve made a swiss chard like this with feta before – https://insimoneskitchen.com/swiss-chard-with-feta-and-pine-nuts/
- Parsley: Small bunch with red band
- Bok Choy: Sorry these don’t look pretty…flea bettles really attacked them in June, but should taste the same even with little holes 🙂 Simple recipe idea: https://www.recipetineats.com/bok-choy-in-ginger-sauce/
- A Couple Cucumbers
- Bunch of Beets: Some got gold beets, but most got a bunch of regular red beets
The contents of this box really lend themselves to tabbouli salad. Yes, you’ll have to pick up some bulger and tomatoes, but you can certainly put the parsley, cucumbers, and green onions to work. See https://www.loveandlemons.com/tabbouleh/ and adjust accordingly.
Lida Farm 