CSA Pickup #6

Well, it seems as though the farm has been transformed in the past week. I think it is in the best shape it has ever been this time of year. Amazingly we have stayed on top of all the weeds, which is a rare occurrence, especially in the middle of July when everything begins to grow widely out of control. The superb field management is thanks in no small part to our two secret weapons: amazing workshares and mulch. This year, inspired by Ruth Stout's "The No Work Garden Book" we have decided to mulch a much bigger portion of the farm than we normally do and to lay down a thicker layer of mulch at that. In the past we have always mulched our tomatoes, eggplants and peppers. This year we have also mulched all our alliums (onions, leeks, etc.) and a few other crops. Mulch is wonderful because it keeps the weeds at bay, and it provides a protective layer to the soil, which helps it retain moisture and regulate temperature. Though spreading mulch on as much as a half acre or more is a lot of work, in the end it saves time and nurtures the soil.
Today with our workshares and CSA member volunteers we mulched all of our sweet peppers and the third succession of tomatoes. We also hoed half the farm, and weeded our perennial herb bed and our latest picking of lettuce.
Also!! To my great joy and utter amazement much of our melon crop has recovered, thanks to the warmer weather and most likely all the compost we fed them. While I still suspect that we won't have as many melons as last year and they may not be quite as unbelievably tasty, it appears that we will in fact have melons and they will of course be delicious. Phew.
For tomorrow..........leeksgarlicpotatoescucumberssummer squashbeets cabbagechardpac choisalad mixherbs: cilantro, dill, basil
thanks,

jo!