Leffler Family Farms’ Weekly Update July 18th
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Around the Farm………
Another hot one on the farm this week! The high temperatures really mark a transition period in which we will begin to harvest more of the heat loving summer crops such as zucchini, green beans, edamame, peppers, cucumbers and eggplant. With that being said, the cool loving crops such as lettuce, spinach, radish, and cilantro are quickly coming to an end until temperatures begin to drop again in the fall. I have started to see a few different hot peppers begin to ripen up, but not yet consistently. The edamame is flowering nicely and will probably be ready in a week or two. The first round of sweet corn is tasseling now and should be ready sometime early August. The tomatoes are going crazy, and getting out of control fast. The potato plants are loaded with small flowers that range from dark to light purple. So many veggies are just a few weeks away, I hope you guys are excited as we are!
Weather and Weeds
We were grateful to receive a few nice afternoon rain showers this past week, we had a quarter inch come down Friday night and another tenth of an inch on Saturday night. This was still not enough to get us by this past week without irrigating. The plants are growing fast right now and water is crucial for good production. The weeds are also growing fast right now and becoming one of the biggest challenges on the farm. We are hoping to have our first volunteer weeding party this Monday, starting at 7 am so come on down and bring your sharpest hoe. All volunteers will also get to pick a nice basket of veggies for helping out on the farm. Come out for an hour or two, or ten.
Rainbow beets on display at farmer’s market.
Baby mixed lettuce heads.
Happy goers at the Old Pearl Street Farmer’s Market.
Preparing CSA shares for delivery.
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Local Motion CSA News…
Peak Season Starts Soon!!
Sunday, July 28th is the first day for Old South Pearl Street Peak Season pick up.
Wednesday, July 31st the first day for Basil Doc’s Pizza, Evergreen and Golden Peak Season pick up.
Thursday, August 1st for Greeley, Loveland, Ft. Collins and On Farm Peak Season.
If you haven’t already, you will soon receive more detailed information about your pick up. Please let us know if you have any questions.
CSA Basket
This week CSA members will find an unusual legume in their share. It is a garbanzo bean from Michoacán Mexico that is traditionally eaten green, unlike its cousin the chickpea which is usually dried. One of our neighbors brought back some seed a few years ago from his hometown in Michoacán and planted it out in his front yard garden. One day I noticed him sitting on his porch with his propane stove toasting these unusual looking pods and snacking on them with a Budweiser. He invited me over and I was amazed by how sweet and flavorful they were. He gave me a handful of seed that night and I planted it the next day, most of which we grew out to save for more seed. The best way to cook them is to simply pull the pods off the stems and toast them in a dry pan over medium high heat for about 10 minutes. You want to see at least one toasted side on each pod. Add a little salt then snack on them like edamame, DO NOT eat the pods, only the small beans inside.
Full share members also received a handful of FAVA BEANS which are fairly new to us. The plants have put on lots of flowers, but just a few of the huge bean pods you will find in your share this week. Try them boiled or sautéed. The main thing to know is that they need to be peeled twice. The outer pod and then the outer shell on each individual bean is removed before eating.
“The discovery of a new dish does more for human happiness than the discovery of a new star“.
Antheleme Brillat-Savarin, 1825
Hen Update
Unfortunately we will not be offering anymore egg shares this season until further notice. Either a skunk or raccoon broke in our coop this week and had his way with our hens and young pullets (next years layers). Thanks to everyone who participated this season.
Let us know if you have any questions!
Anthony and Sarah
Leffler Family Farms
Local Motion CSA
970-689-2355
(f) 970-454-3588