June 29 Stearns Farm CSA News

It is hard to believe we're just a few days away from the Fourth of July weekend so let's make haste and see what awaits us this week:

• See below for a list of what to expect in your share this week.

• Ember shares how veggies are dealing with the mercury rising so early in the season.

• Join us for another community art project - it's going to rock!

• The Culinary Garden is in full bloom and two more herbs are ready for harvest.

• Collards? Kohlrabi? Can't wait to share two tasty ideas for these plant relatives.

A special reminder to drop off your completed flags during this week's share pickup. Happy Independence Day and see you in a week!

In Your Share This Week

Classic Harvest take 11, Farmer’s Choice take 9: Radish/hakurei choice, squash, garlic scapes, cucumbers, chard/kale/collards choice, beets, cabbage, peas, parsley/basil choice, fennel/kohlrabi choice, bok choy, head lettuce, loose lettuce mix.

PYO: herbs (check for gold stars), 8 flower stems

Although the crops listed on this page represent what the farmer anticipates will be available this week, the vegetables you receive may be different due to weather conditions and other factors that affect production. For an overview of the ebb and flow of the harvest throughout the season, check out the Harvest Chart.

Keeping Cool

The summer heat and humidity are here in full force! Sunny days, while making it easier to wake in the mornings and great for days at the beach, can make harvest days at the farm a little tricky. If you are growing plants at home, you may notice that they look pretty sad and begin to wilt as the day progresses. To help preserve the quality and structure of the vegetables you get in your share, we have several strategies to make sure everything stays fresh.

Sharer Art Project: Painted Rock Pathway at Stearns

All sharers and their families and friends are invited to paint rocks at home as a summer-long community craft project! Bring your rocks to Stearns and we will collectively create a rock border along the pathway between the greenhouse and the pavilion.

Get Acquainted With Mullein and Purslane

Have you ever wondered about the large fuzzy, flannel plants growing at the ends of some rows in the Culinary Garden? If so, this is the perfect opportunity to introduce you to the mullein plant! This biennial herb tends to grow just about anywhere.

Eat Your Share

This week, we're serving up another recipe shared by a Stearns member - thank you! The Lemony Lentil Soup with Collards is low in sugar, sodium and carbs but oh so full of flavor (and fiber). And while I typically enjoy eating it simply sliced, these Kohlrabi French Fries are a must-try, low-carb take on traditional fries.

We look forward to discovering all your old and new favorites - so share them here to be included in our upcoming Stearns Farm cookbook.