 |
| Signs of Spring! |
WHAT’S UP ON THE FARM?
Weather in the past month: Rain: 2.5" High temp: 79° (4/22/22) Low Temp: 25° (4/19/22)
The overriding theme of the past month is the weather (have you heard this song before?) Did you notice in the weather summary above, the listed high and low temps for the past month are only 3 days apart? Talk about weather whiplash! While spring is always a bit chaotic on the farm, this year has shown a whole new level of crazy. Our soil temperatures are 3-4 weeks behind schedule, which means that so is nearly everything else; grass, trees and crops.
That said, we are making forward progress! 
With half of our Farm Crew back on staff, we've been planting whenever the conditions allow. In the past month we've sown: carrots, beets, turnips and chard to add to our earlier peas, spinach, salad mix, arugula and choi. Transplanted crops include 3 rotations of head lettuce, kale, chard, celery, broccoli and cauliflower, onions, leeks, scallions and shallots, potatoes, hearty herbs, perennial flowers and snapdragons.
This coming week will mark the real start of the asparagus harvesting season (3 weeks later than normal) and then things will get serious with trying to get more field space ready and crops in the ground.
The overriding theme of the past month is the weather (have you heard this song before?) Did you notice in the weather summary above, the listed high and low temps for the past month are only 3 days apart? Talk about weather whiplash! While spring is always a bit chaotic on the farm, this year has shown a whole new level of crazy. Our soil temperatures are 3-4 weeks behind schedule, which means that so is nearly everything else; grass, trees and crops.
That said, we are making forward progress!
This week VegEmail sales returned to our summer schedule of Saturday deliveries from 10-noon. It's a perfect opportunity to get first choice at top quality, chemical-free produce and other farm-fresh products, like jam, seasonings and yarn plus meat and eggs from Ebersole Cattle Co, and cheese from Lost Lake Farm LLC. It's like a farmers market in your inbox with no crowds or parking hassles. Plus, in DM you can enjoy your favorite beverage from Peace Tree Brewing Co. If you are interested in joining us for VegEmail but aren't already getting the order form emails, be sure to let us know!
This is the final monthly newsletter until November. Starting in June we move to weekly postings as a companion to our CSA deliveries. Only current CSA members will get the weekly email link to the newsletters, as we don't want to overwhelm or annoy the rest of you. The newsletters will focus on the CSA box contents along with recipes and produce hints, but also include the weekly news of the farm. If you aren't a 2022 CSA member, but want to continue to follow along, you can subscribe to the posts through Blogger at the blue "Follow" button on the right side of the screen, or you can always check in here: http://beyondthebluegate.blogspot.com/
The first CSA delivery is tentatively scheduled for June 7th (though we may have to postpone a week due to weather delays). 2022 CSA members should have received an invoice via email at the beginning of April, with the balance payments due by May 1. If you haven't yet paid for your membership, we'd appreciate receiving that payment ASAP. If you need some flexibility in that, please contact us to make arrangements.
This is the final monthly newsletter until November. Starting in June we move to weekly postings as a companion to our CSA deliveries. Only current CSA members will get the weekly email link to the newsletters, as we don't want to overwhelm or annoy the rest of you. The newsletters will focus on the CSA box contents along with recipes and produce hints, but also include the weekly news of the farm. If you aren't a 2022 CSA member, but want to continue to follow along, you can subscribe to the posts through Blogger at the blue "Follow" button on the right side of the screen, or you can always check in here: http://beyondthebluegate.blogspot.com/
The first CSA delivery is tentatively scheduled for June 7th (though we may have to postpone a week due to weather delays). 2022 CSA members should have received an invoice via email at the beginning of April, with the balance payments due by May 1. If you haven't yet paid for your membership, we'd appreciate receiving that payment ASAP. If you need some flexibility in that, please contact us to make arrangements.
Speaking of the upcoming CSA season, we have big news!
Options! This year we are excited to offer some new options to add on to our base CSA shares. These options are available at ALL delivery locations. 1) Spice it Up Share: Receive 1 jar of our Seasonal Seasonings each month, farmer's choice of flavors
2) Jam Share: Receive 2 jars (different flavors) of our "farm-fresh" jam each month, farmer's choice of flavors
3) Bread Share: From our friends/neighbors at Farmyard Fancies. Receive a fresh loaf of sweet or savory homemade bread each week.
4) (For DM customers only) Meat and Egg Shares are available from our friends at Ebersole Cattle Company.
CSA members will be receiving an email in the next week or so with details on the add-on options and about the start of the CSA season.
We do still have a few spaces available for new members and we'd love to fill up those last spots! If you are interested in joining us this season and haven't already done so, you can email us at mail@bluegatefarmfresh.com and we'll get you set up. Know someone who might be interested in a season of fresh, healthy, delicious food? Please, send them our way!
Speaking of the upcoming CSA season, we have big news!
Options! This year we are excited to offer some new options to add on to our base CSA shares. These options are available at ALL delivery locations.
1) Spice it Up Share: Receive 1 jar of our Seasonal Seasonings each month, farmer's choice of flavors
2) Jam Share: Receive 2 jars (different flavors) of our "farm-fresh" jam each month, farmer's choice of flavors
CSA members will be receiving an email in the next week or so with details on the add-on options and about the start of the CSA season.
That's about it from us this month. Thank you for making it all the way to the end of the newsletter and for joining us on all our farming adventures. It is such a privilege to live in this beautiful place and to raise safe, healthy food for so many amazing people.
Is a monthly newsletter not enough for you? Do you want to read more about our life on the farm and see more pictures? Follow us on Facebook at Blue Gate Farm or on Instagram at bluegatefarmfresh. CSA members can also connect with other BGF members to share recipes or ask questions on our FB community page at Blue Gate Farm Community.
If you have any questions or comments, be sure to let us know.
Best from the farm,
Jill & Sean (and the whole BGF crew)
 |
| Luci & Sky |
