Earth-Shares CSA
August 18, 2013
PICKUP THIS WEEK
Pickup this week includes lettuce, kale, chard, tomatoes, beans, corn, onion; and some eggplant, peppers, hot peppers, and squash.
GARDENER’S NOTES
SPRAYING ON ORGANIC PRODUCE
Steve's comments in the last newsletter about spraying the sweet corn for tip worms resulted in questions from several sharers. Organic rules allow spraying for insects and diseases. The sprays are very different from conventional pesticides. Organic insecticides are allowed because they kill a limited range of insects. We obviously do not want to kill beneficial insects which help maintain a balance. Organic spraying is part of a complete management system, and used as a last resort. At Earthshares, we mainly use Bt, (derived from bacteria) to kill cabbage worms on broccoli or army worms on tomatoes. Next year we should spray squash plants to reduce the large loss of plants from stalk borers. We also spray for infrequent, large infestations of aphids but prefer to buy and distribute predatory midges and wasps. We seem to have a native population of wasps that kill tomato hornworms. We do some handpicking of harlequin bugs, potato beetles, and others. Part of the organic mindset is not to "freak out" when we see a bad bug. We count on our consumers to do likewise. On the other hand, if there were not sprays available for organic use, there would be much less produce available, and it would be of lower quality.
PATTY PAN SQUASH
Many people ask about the saucer-shaped squash. The variety is called Benning's Green Tint and some say it has a nutty taste. It is not a gourd, and can be cut up and cooked like zucchini or yellow squash. Some people poke fork holes in the skin and microwave it intact.
SUGAR BABY WATERMELONS
For some reason this year, the melons are few, and ripening several at a time. Since we will not have enough to distribute to everyone at once, we are thinking the best way will be to go alphabetically with a check list. We put out 200 plants in two stages. Each plant is supposed to have several melons, and did last year. This year we transplanted the first group into a no-till, killed vetch mulch. We are waiting to see if the tilled, second transplanting does better.
DONATION DAY SUCCESS
Thanks to all the Earth-Shares CSA members who generously donated all or part of their shares to the Loveland Inter Faith Effort/Loveland food pantry. Thanks to Laura and Gary Carmack and Greg Potter who coordinated the donation days. Laura made a beautiful sign for our produce area.
The trunk was loaded with great stuff: 15 full shares and four half/partial shares, along with miscellaneous items.
Here is the breakdown in terms of shares:
Beans, 9.6 lb
Tomatoes, 72 lb
cherry tomatoes, 168
corn, 64 ears
peppers/eggplant, 36
onions, 34
yellow squash/zucchini, 18
garlic, 17
... plus additional items chipped in on Wednesday.
PHOTOS, from left: Jen Russell, membership coordinator; Laura and Gary Carmack, transporting our donations; our table at the Loveland Inter Faith Effort/Loveland food pantry; and the sign made by
Laura Carmack.
SAVE THE DATE
Potluck and garden tour, Sunday, Sept. 15, during the late afternoon/early evening.
FROM THE LOCALHARVEST NEWSLETTER, Erin Barnett, director
“Read the policies.
Each CSA operates a little bit differently when it comes to refunds, vacation policies, pick-up procedures, and the like. Part of being happy with your CSA and being a good CSA member is knowing and respecting the way things are run.”
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https://www.facebook.com/pages/Earth-Shares-CSA/106764372814720?ref=ts&fref=ts
NUTRITION FACTS
Tomatoes, red, ripe, cooked
http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2683/2
RECIPES
Green Beans with Lemon and Garlic
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/neelys/green-beans-with-lemon-and-garlic-recipe/index.html
Sauteed Green Beans with Tomatoes and Basil served with Parmesan Crisps
GARDENER CONTACT INFORMATION:
Karen Huseman, [email protected], 513-706-4315
Steve Edwards, [email protected], 513-706-4792
Mary Lu Lageman, [email protected], 513-257-4865
ORGANIC PRODUCE STAND
Produce currently is available for sale on the porch of the Milk and Honey House, located at Grailville–932 O’Bannonville Rd. Loveland, OH 45140. See the board for prices. Please bring cash or checks made out to Earthshares CSA.
The produce stand is OPEN 7 days a week but is CLOSED from 3 pm to 7 pm on Wednesdays and 11 am to 3 pm on Saturdays to allow for set up, a 2-hour distribution time, and clean up. Prices are listed on a board on the porch. Place your money in the slot in the table under the green recipe box that holds the change. Checks are accepted made out to Earth-Shares CSA.