Produce Boxes - What's Available July 26, 2011

It's finally time to get into the swing of summer harvesting! This week I have lots available, and lots more on the way! This is the first time I have posted about produce boxes publicly (rather than just to friends) so if you have any questions I have posted all sorts of information at the bottom of this entry.
Comment here or contact me directly to order a fresh produce box!

Just a reminder that all of our produce is grown from heirloom seeds. Our farm is not certified organic, but we grow using only organic practices and we use sustainable methods when possible. This means: your watermelons will have seeds but they'll be worth it; your beans may be curvy but they'll have flavor; your pears will have spots but they'll be richly flavored and sweet... You get the idea. I wouldn't grow these things if I didn't think the end produce was utterly worth it.

Currently harvesting:

• traditional zucchini
• heirloom light green zucchini
• yellow squash
• slicing cucumbers
• purple string beans
• yellow string beans
• green string beans
• leaf lettuce (green leaf, red leaf, forellenschluss)
• Baby spinach
• Basil
• Cilantro (nearing it's end!)
• Snap peas
• sunflowers
• cut flowers
• borage
• nettles
• purslane
• lambsquarters
• Beets
• Radishes
• raspberries (limited)
• duck eggs
• mini sweet onions

Coming soon:

• Heirloom tomatoes! All colors, shapes and sizes - cherry, oxheart and paste!
• Heirloom and rare french charentais and cantaloupe melons (10 varieties!)
• Homegrown garlic (heads are small and flavorful this year!)
• Indian cucumbers
• Sugar baby watermelons
• Golden Midget watermelons
• Butternut squash
• Ground cherries
• Carrots
• Brussels sprouts
• Elderberries 
• Delicata Squash
• Lady Godiva Squash
• Additional winter squash and pumkins
• Mixed fingerling potatoes
• Organic pears (yes they'll have spots, but they're delicious!)
• Organic apples (yes they'll have spots, but they're delicious)

How do produce boxes work? They're just like a pay-as-you-go CSA (and all proceeds go toward next year's produce operation). You may order a small or large produce box and I will fill them with whatever is available. If you have specific requests, I'll do my best to honor them. Boxes will be filled with diverse produce and will represent our fruits and vegetables at their best.

Here is an example of each size box and what they might contain:

Small produce box - $15

• 1-2 lb heirloom tomatoes
• 1 pt heirloom cherry tomatoes
• 3-4 mixed summer squash
• 1 bunch lettuce or mixed greens
• 1 bunch basil or other herb
• 1-2 heads garlic
• 1 bunch foraged greens

Large produce box - $25

• 1-2 lb heirloom tomatoes
• 1 pt heirloom cherry tomatoes
  
• 3-4 mixed summer squash
• 2 bunch lettuce or mixed greens
• 1 bunch basil or other herb
• 1-2 heads garlic
• 2 bunch foraged greens
• 2-3 cucumbers
• 1 butternut squash
• 1 delicata squash
• 1 bunch mixed cut flowers
• 1-2 charentais melons

Examples of other extras you may find in your box, depending on how my season goes are:

• jellys, jams, preserves
• pickles
• fresh oyster mushrooms
• tomato sauce
• fresh baked goods
• easy-prep pizza crusts (i'll include recipes)
• perennial plants (if desired)
• granola

Also available, beginning today: Purebred Khaki Campbell Ducklings

Our ducklings are finally 4 weeks old and ready to go to new homes. They are purebred, upright, excellent foragers and great at mosquito control. They are also the most efficient laying heirloom duck breed, and make fast-growing meat birds as well. With a little work, you can even acclimate them to handling and coming when called.
Our birds have been great about not getting broody when you pull eggs every day or two, but if you wish them to brood and hatch simply leave them their eggs and they'll set until hatching. They make great mothers as well.

Khaki Campbell Ducklings - $8 each or 3 ducklings for $20