This weekend marks the official start to the 2014 growing season. The fields are being readied, the containers being domed for seed starting, and the small plots are being cleared of winter's die offs. We are way ahead of schedule this spring compared to last- mostly due to putting the old Ford tractor back in action after a successful repair last Autumn. We remain committed to organic gardening methods as much as is possible and we are making some method improvements this year to improve yields. Last year was a wet wet season and the weeds were overpowering. This year we are employing a torch method before planting that will kill off most top level soil weed seeds without having to resort to weed killer sprays or days and days of backbreaking labor. In larger fields we will also be using a weed barrier to help prevent weeds from taking over. The dreaded Asian drosophila made it's appearance in the Ohio River Valley and we were not spared. We are thrilled that we had such an intensely cold winter as it knocked back whatever foothold these little devils made last year here in Ohio. The likelihood is that spraying fruits will become a necessity but we will be using a method of monitoring for them first before resorting to sprays. The flies did not become a problem last year till mid to late July. We are witnessing a life changing commitment to organic gardening in this little area of ours. For the first time in decades there will be no GMO mass crops anywhere on the adjoining farms to Twin Creeks Farm. This is a huge win for all of the honey bees in our vicinity. It's a huge win for small farming in these parts!
Our weekly box assortment is more planned this year. It will begin mid May and run through September for 20 weeks. As of now, pick up day will be on early Friday evening. We watched closely last year and the weekend seems to be the time when most meal planning for the coming week takes place. The 20 week Farmshare price is $300. Boxes will contain at least 8 item shares. Following is a breakdown of what will be grown in each season, followed by what you can expect with each item share. An item in italics designates a crop we are growing but may have problems getting a high enough yield based on previous years growing.
Spring
Asparagus (1 dozen)
Beets ( 1/2 dozen)
Green Onions (1/2 dozen)
Cooking Herbs (2 large sprigs)
Horseradish (prepared)
Kale (1/2 pound)
Kohlrabi (1 bulb)
Lettuces (1/2 pound)
Pac Choi (1 head)
Parsnips (3)
Radishes (1/2 dozen)
Spinach ( 1/4 pound)
Turnips (2)
Summer
Beans (1 pound)
Beets (1/2 dozen)
Cabbage (1 head)
Carrots (1/2 dozen)
Cooking Herbs (2 large sprigs)
Cucumbers (2)
Kale (1/2 pound)
Lettuces (1/2 pound)
Onions (3)
Potatoes (2 pounds)
Raspberries (1 pint)
Shallots (1/2 dozen)
Spinach (1/4 pound)
Strawberries (1 quart)
Summer Squashes (2)
Swiss Chard (1/2 pound)
Tomatoes (6)
Turnips (2)
Autumn
Apples (2 pounds)
Beans (1 pound)
Beets (1/2 dozen)
Carrots (1/2 dozen)
Corn (1/2 dozen ears)
Cooking Herbs (2 large sprigs)
Eggplant (1)
Onions (3)
Peppers (4)
Squash (2)
Swiss Chard (1/2 pound)
All Seasons Add Ons as Available- Fresh Baked Bread ( 1 round or oblong loaf), Eggs (1 dozen), Honey (1 pint), and assorted canned items such as jams, pickles, preserved fruits and vegetables, and salsas (by the pint or quart).


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