NEWSLETTER

Volume 4, Issue 13

Community Supported Garden at La Vista

August 8, 2006

Field Walk…
     Many of you have asked "How do you deal with this heat?"  The short, and obvious, answer is that you deal with it the best you can. For myself, when it gets into the upper nineties, with the humidity, I need to get inside.  Especially if I'm alone at the farm, I know well enough to take care of myself. You may notice, though, the effect of shade during these hot days. The driveway onto the property is easily 5 to 10 degrees cooler than the surrounding fields, and about 15 degrees, or more, cooler than any flashing bank sign around town. Trees are amazing in how they capture most of the heat. 
     As for the plants, again, I do what I can. Sometimes there's not much you can do. Plants are like us in many ways.  At temperatures above the mid-nineties, most plants are under high stress.  They deal with the heat much like we do. They slow down and retreat "inside".  For most plants, they won't grow at all at these temperatures in order to conserve water and energy.  They tend to wilt.  They tend to look haggard.
     Stressed plants are also more susceptible to bugs and disease, just like us. And then… predation. I'm reminded constantly that all the woods and fields around us are stressed with the drought and heat.  Deer, raccoons, and other critters are inflicting an intense pressure on the farm by finding every way possible to get over, under or through the fence in order to feed themselves.
     You do what you can. When what you can do is not enough, you learn to recognize farming for what it is.  Farming is a hard business and this year is a perfect example. A farmer's best partner is the land, and when the land dries up, the farmer is left alone, and that's not saying much.  The land does all the hard work.  The farmer puts the pieces together or takes them apart.  This is nature, though, and nature is a hard and honest Teacher of the unexpected.
     I think of the story of Joseph and the seven years each of feast and famine.  Feast and famine are like partners across time.  One lends itself to the other.  Knowing this is just the beginning.  We will get through this year. It's very dry and very hot, but we're learning more about the land than we could have otherwise.  Beyond that, you do what you can…

What's in Your Share

Radishes
Carrots
Garlic
Potatoes
Tomatoes
Fresh Onion
Lettuce
Salad Mix
Pick-your-own Cherry Tomatoes

What's For Dinner:

Onions
     Onions have been a joy to grow this year.  Unlike several other crops in this hot and dry season, onions got what they wanted and sized up real nice. You should expect a weekly onion or two in your share from here on with some, I hope, to spare for the holidays.
     Onions are very nutritious and a staple of fine cooking. Use them in any stir-fry or soup.  Slice them for sandwiches especially the red onions. You can also slice and bread them for onion "rings" (or simply "fried onions"). 
     For an even tastier onion experience, "caramelize" them. Slice them and saute over medium-low heat for about an hour. Where onions stick to the skillet, add orange juice, wine, or water and scrape clean.  Cooking onions a long time over low heat brings out their natural sugars creating a wonderful base for soups, stir fries, sauces, or salad dressings. At home, we use caramelized onions on burgers and sandwiches.