Week Nine Newsletter and Recipe

Greetings Friends and Members,
Okay, already.  Uncle!  Mercy!  Anything...just please let it stop raining.  For us, this weather has gone beyond ridiculous to down right damaging.  It wasn't too long ago that we were just cruising along, taking care of business, and feeling great about how things were coming together this season.  Then, two weeks ago today, the rain started and now we have a whole different ball game.
 
Many of you have been asking what happens exactly when it keeps raining as it has, so we're going to try and give you some of the main issues.  First of all, when the soil is too wet, we can't get tractors into the field to prepare the soil for seeding and planting.  So, we begin to fall behind and we miss getting things into the ground.  And, at this time of year, that is of critical importance because Fall is rapidly approaching.  Things are to the point where our plans to offer a Winter Share this year are in jeopardy because we just can't get things planted in the earth.  Thus far, we've had to discard two batches of lettuce seedlings, one round of broccoli, and all the late season greens that were patiently waiting to be transplanted to the field.
 
Another major issue with this weather is disease.  Wet foliage that doesn't get an opportunity to dry and water logged soil are perfect breeding grounds for a whole host of blights, mildews, and other nasty problems.  Carrots, beets, and turnips are beginning to turn to mush (Bacterial Soft Rot).  The vines of the pumpkins, melons, and winter squash are turning yellow and are beginning to wilt (Powdery Mildew).  Tomatoes and potatoes begin to look like they've been hit by a flame flower (Early Blight, the cause of the Irish Potato Famine).  Luckily, all of our greenhouse tomatoes look good so far and should be coming your way soon.  The garlic, which is now hanging nicely in the pole barn, was pulled out of the ground earlier than usual to avoid having some mysterious rot that was found spread throughout.
 
Other issues?  Plants just don't grow well when the sun doesn't shine and the roots can't breathe-- except for weeds.  Weeds are so much better adapted and they appreciate that the soil has been too wet for us to hoe or cultivate.
 
So, it's pretty sad out there right now.  These are probably the worst conditions Farmer Dave has seen in twelve years of farming.  Our intention isn't to send a depressing note, but to give you the facts about how things are fairing.  Rest assured, the weather is bound to change (Isn't it???), and regardless, we will continue to have lots of delicious food for you to enjoy.  It is just not looking like one of our real banner years.
 
This week's share: 
Lettuce, squash & zucchini, cucumbers, garlic, onions, fennel, tomatoes (hopefully), cabbage (see Recipe), scallions, carrots
 
U-Pick:
Flowers, beans (look around out there in the weeds, there are lots of yummy beans lurking), herbs, cherry tomatoes (hopefully)
 
Your faithful crew,
D, E, & e
  
Recipe:  Cabbage Salad with Lemon and Olive Oil
 
1/4 cup extra virgin Olive oil
3 Tbsp Lemon Juice
1 tsp lemon zest
1 clove garlic (crushed)
1/2 tsp salt Freshly ground black pepper
1 Cabbage thinly sliced
2 scallions sliced
1 carrot coarsely shredded
1 tablespoon chopped italian parsley

In a large bowl, whisk together oil lemon juice, zest, garlic, salt and pepper. Add the rest of the ingredients and toss.  Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.