Spring Newsletter

Post Harvest Handling: How do you handle your CSA?

Shoots: Leafy Greens- Wash and dry immediately We use a salad spinner. Line a reusable container or Zip Lock bag with paper towel or a dry cloth toabsorb any extra liquid or condensation. Store in the refrigerator.

Root Vegetables- Cut the stems off (stems of beets and carrots may be used in other cooking, but removing them will prevent respiration and drying out of your root vegetables) Wash, dry, and store in the refrigerator or a cool place.

Fruits: Don’t wash ahead- these vegetables or fruits tend to be less dirty anyhow. Give a quick rinse before cooking or consuming raw.

Edible Flowers & Herbs- Store in a vase of water on the counter or hang upside down to dry. Don’t wash in advance.

A note on bugs- These little grayish guys are aphids, and they love all the Brassicas- broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, collards, etc...Use a high pressure faucet to rinse them off or dip your veg in boiling water before cooking.

For Spring memberships in Rio Gozo Farm Ventura CSA contact John or Elizabeth

(805) 272 8170

riogozofarm@gmail.com

and find us on Facebook

Ventura Forager Fall 2010

looking forward to Fall

Sept. 21^st-Dec. 11th

The Fall Harvest: Acorn Squash, Arugula, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Chard, Chinese Broccoli, Chocolate Mint, Cilantro, Collard Greens, Dill, Escarole, Fennel, Gourds, Honey bear & Hubbard Squash, Kabocha Squash, Kale, Kohlrabi, Parsley, Radicchio, Radishes, Salad Mix, Spinach, & Turnips

Field Notes

I learned a lot over the past year. Of all the things I learned…I think succession planting has been the most important. It is easy to forget that the big beautiful plants that we are now eating were planted 6 weeks ago and will be gone in another 3. Last year, I was late planting and by January the fields looked grim. It is important to fill the fields in October and November if you want to have food in February and March; yet, you can’t plant everything at once. This year, I have already planted three plots about a month apart. I also have an additional three plots to plant over the next five weeks. Some of the beds have been direct seeded with arugula, cilantro, dill, lettuce. beets, carrots, fennel, spinach, kale, & chard while other lines are planted with transplants of broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, celery, radicchio etc... . Rabbits! Wow, I have never been plagued by pests the way I was plagued with rabbits. They were devastating. I could hear their little teeth tearing at our vulnerable broccoli. I saw them for the first time through the eyes of Mr. McGregor. After watching far too many rabbit snare videos and zombie walking the fields nightly; we decided a rabbit proof fence was the answer, and it has worked really well so far. I am grateful for the peace of mind…oh and sleep.