CSA Update

Update from Elva: Hi Everyone! I hope everyone is keeping well despite everything. I'll start with the CSA.  Usually it would start 1st week of June...  This year due to the weather, vegetable growth is about 2 weeks behind.  Let me give you an idea of what I've been dealing with as a farmer - a late spring, with frosts and snow late into the season.  I had to move my over 1000 heat-loving seedlings from the house to the greenhouse, and back to the house when the cold weather hit.  They are all okay and now in the process of being planted, but oh my.... Usually when I would have my seedlings all hardened off and ready to go for sale, I was just taking them out to the (unheated) greenhouse, and had to harden them off in a hurry... After that, last week we had extreme heat for 3 days in which temperatures "felt like 40" and all the cold-loving plants (peas, kale, salad + more) were very unhappy and some bolted, and trying to keep newly direct seeded beds watered to ensure germination was difficult, and I probably lost some beds to the extreme hot and dry weather. AND THEN!  we had "feels like 5" degrees outside overnight a couple nights ago so the heat-lovers that were in the process of being planted out were not happy, but thank goodness that only lasted 1 night and there wasn't a frost. 2ndly with the pandemic, it's been difficult to get appropriate supplies when I need them. For example, usually I would cover new beds with floating row cover to protect from jumping beetle damage but all suppliers are out of stock - I found out they were out of stock because the manufacturer has switched from farming supplies over to making masks.  It's understandable why that is necessary but also just means holes in your brassicas!  Or I could switch to thin Mesh barriers, but that means spending 6x the amount, and its just not cost-effective for me.2ndly with the pandemic, it's been difficult to get appropriate supplies when I need them. For example, usually I would cover new beds with floating row cover to protect from jumping beetle damage but all suppliers are out of stock - I found out they were out of stock because the manufacturer has switched from farming supplies over to making masks.  It's understandable why that is necessary but also just means holes in your brassicas!  Or I could switch to thin Mesh barriers, but that means spending 6x the amount, and its just not cost-effective for me. All of these issues mean more problem-solving and more innovation, but I can let you know that the appearance of some of the greens might not be perfect !  I am doing my best. Also due to the pandemic, I likely will have to use plastic bags for salads rather than reusable bags.  I'm sorry :(  I always try to be mindful of my plastic use around the farm, but for the foreseeable future I also have to do my part to reduce contact.  I will be bunching things or using paper pints whenever possible.  Okay, now the fun stuff! Lots of stuff is in the ground and is looking good.  Lots of greens, radishes, lemon balm, kale, green garlic and various flowering brassicas for your first basket.  The first basket is tentatively June 9th and June 12th.  I think there will be enough stuff for that week, if not I WILL LET YOU KNOW THIS WEEKEND.  I appreciate your patience and your support.  A reminder that the first few baskets will be smaller than the majority of the other baskets.

NEWS: Baby Chicks!  ~ They are all grown up, and their personalities are really developing.  They still have to be kept separate from the older birds for their own safety, so they get their own coop.

Rescue Birds:  1st batch of Rescue birds that I picked up last year are doing well.  They all have their VERY STRONG personalities and walk around like they own the place.  A note for those picking up their baskets: the chickens know that humans are the source of their treats, and they also know that the treats are kept in my car, so they will likely come right up to you and your car.  Sometimes they peck my car while I'm in it *eyeroll* Please make sure they are out of the way before backing up your vehicle.  The chickens are like precious pets to me.

New Rescue Birds:  I picked up a new batch of rescue birds a couple weeks ago from a industrial egg production farm.  They are settling in well and their feathers are growing back in.

Blog:  I encourage you to check out the Rhizome Farms blog on the website.  I'll be reposting the emails I send to you there, but also, new employee Felix will be posting every week about what's happening at the farm.  They have a knack for taking really beautiful photos and creating poetry, so it will be spiffy!  They have already put a post up there, so go have a look!

Greenhouse:  The never-ending project.... but at least its frame is up and looking good!  My friend put together 99% of it, bless him.  It's really quite a massive structure (20 ft by 100 ft).  Marvel at it if you are coming to the farm to do pick-ups :)

New Employee:  Welcome Felix!  Felix is the newest and only employee I've ever had and they are STUPENDOUS.  THANK-YOU FELIX for your hard work and positive attitude!

Seedlings:  Although I had to cancel my regular seedling sale this year, I ended up having some extra.  Check my website to see what's available.  (not completely updated yet!). There are very limited quantities of some of the items.  You cannot order through the website, you will have to email me your order.  Have a look at what's available and then send me a list and I will do my best to accommodate.  Everything is $4 each or 3 for $10 unless otherwise indicated.

Payments: The remainder of your payments if paying in full is due now.  If you are paying monthly, I'll contact you shortly with the details. See below for some photos.