Greetings CSA Members

Garden Patch Farm CSA Newsletter #1

July 6, 2005

Greetings CSA Members!

Here's hoping your summer is getting off to a good start. We have been very busy here, as I'm sure you can guess. The bit of rain we have gotten has helped some; we could use more. Opposite of last year.

Good news! Since you are Friday pick up members, your first pick up weekend will be:

Friday, July 15th, 3-8pm.

Get ready to try some different recipes using our scrumptious veggies! Don't be afraid to try new things--you just might find something you end up loving!

The week's picks:

Black cabbage (kale family) You-Cut Herbs:

Black zucchini (regular) Ashway

Chinese pink garlic (mild) Chives

Cucumbers (regular) Lemon Balm

Golden zucchini Peppermint

Lemon cucumbers Savory

New potatoes (small) Spearmint

Pickle cucumbers Tarragon

Summer squash Wormwood

You-Cut Flowers:

Additional possible vegetables: Broccoli, Kohlrabi

Not-so-good news: the deer are eating the Amish paste tomatoes. Tim is trying to think up ways of keeping them out so we can all have some!

Please read the following tips and guidelines to help you have a better pick up experience:

As you arrive and leave Garden Patch's driveway, please be very careful and watch for other vehicles. There is also a State Park trail that crosses our driveway where pedestrians are sometimes walking or riding bikes: please watch carefully for these--you may have to stop.

Upon arriving, you will be greeted by me (Robin) or another farm member or worker. On your first pick up, you will be given a basket. This is what you will use to measure your produce throughout the season. Flowers and herbs are extra. If you purchased a 1/2 share, you will be given a 1/2 bushel basket for the season. If you purchased a full share, you will be given a bushel basket for the season. For those 1/2 share members that are splitting their share, each of you will be given a peck box for the season--bring it back each week because this is what will measure your share. If you do not bring the box back, we can give you another one for a $2.50 charge. For those full share members that are splitting their share, each of you will be given a 1/2 bushel basket for the season--bring it back each week because this is what will measure your share. If you do not bring the basket back, we can give you another one for a $5.00 charge. All full share bushel basket members also need to bring back their basket each week--because this is what will measure your share as well.

If you bring bags as a container, you will still have to measure according to which share you purchased, using a box or basket. Any questions? Call or email me.

If you cannot make your pick up day:

Please arrange for another family member, friend or neighbor to come in your place. I just need their name and phone number, the week they are going to come for you and your name as well as the pick up day (Friday or Sunday).

Remember, the you-pick flowers and you-pick herbs are included in your membership. We know you will enjoy getting in the garden and picking your own. Take advantage of it as much as you can, while it lasts!

Tim's sauerkraut went over so well at our road-side stand that we do not have any more we can sell you, sorry. He plans on making more for next year.

If you are new to Garden Patch Farm, visit our website for recipes from 2004. If you are not new, visit anyway and see which ones you missed from last year. I will be adding some more to the list as soon as I can.

We are looking forward to meeting many new faces and seeing some "old" ones, too! Hoping also that your experience here is a good one. Let us know if there is anything we can do--we welcome suggestions throughout the season.

~Robin~
Garden Patch Farm