BGF NEWS - April 2023 - VOL. XLIX, NO. 6

What’s up on the farm?

Precipitation in the past month: Rain: 1.00"

                                                           Snow: Trace

Whew! Just making it under the wire for the April newsletter! Let's get to it!

This month has been a whirlwind of soil prep and planting, as is usual for April. It's the month of biggest changes on the farm.

Some of the farm crew started back this month and we hit the ground running, prepping beds, sowing seeds and transplanting early crops. As of today we have all of the allium (onion), brassica (cabbage/broccoli) and potatoes in the ground plus the first of the fennel, Asian greens and head lettuce. We've transplanted more than 7,300 row feet of crops so far (all on our hands and knees) with many more to come! 

Plus planting about 2,900 row feet of potatoes from the cushy comfort of the planter seats. (Why we don't use this rig more is a long and complicated answer).

Many of our crops are seeded directly into the fields and we are working through that list as well. So far we've planted: peas, turnips, salad mix, arugula, choi, and a couple rotations of beets & carrots. This coming week will see more warm-weather crops being sown such as beans and edamame plus more rotations of root crops.

Another big task that we are part way through is installing our irrigation systems in all the fields. This is a big task and it's the earliest we have ever needed to start using it. We are alarmingly dry, especially for this time of year. For the month of April we had a total of 1.00" of rain. The average for the month is about 4.00 ". This is not how we like to see the season begin. Luckily we have the ability to irrigate, but natural rain from the sky is SO much better for the plants and soil (and the budget!) Regardless, we have irrigation and will put it to work. However we are accepting donations of rain dances/wishes/prayers, whatever you got!

The asparagus made it's first appearance this year on April 13th, about 4 days ahead of the average first sighting. Since then it has been slow to develop, given our wide temperature swings. We anticipate having it available on a limited basis for this week's VegEmail delivery, with much more to come in the following weeks.

And speaking of VegEmail, this week marks the return of our weekly Saturday delivery schedule.  Starting May 6 from 10am-noon you'll find us at Peace Tree-Des Moines Branch and the Grand Theater in Knoxville. Keep your eyes peeled Mondays at 5pm for the new weekly order forms!  

A reminder that Des Moines customers can also order Cottagescapes Bakery breads, Ebersole Cattle Co. eggs & meats, Lost Lake Farm LLC cheese (and pick up tasty beverages from Peace Tree Brewing Co. at the same time!) It's like a farmers market in your Inbox! If you aren't receiving the VegEmail order form and you would like to, just fill out the form here: VegEmail.

CSA 2023: The season is nearly here! The first CSA delivery of the season is scheduled for Tuesday, June 6th. Thanks and welcome to everyone who has signed up and to the many members who paid early! Full membership payments are due on April 30 (today).

We do still have memberships available in Des Moines, Knoxville and for on-farm pickups.  If you haven't been a CSA member with us before and are interested, here's where to find details: CSA Info.

If you are ready to join us for a season of veggie adventures, here's the direct link to sign up: CSA 2023 Signup.  If you have questions, just shoot us a message. 

If you know someone who would love a season full of fresh, local, chemical-free produce, please share the joy and send them our way! Our amazing members and customers are the best ambassadors of the farm!

CSA members are also able to order shares from our partner farms including two of our favorites:

Bread Share: From our friends/neighbors at Farmyard Fancies. Receive a fresh loaf of sweet or savory homemade bread each week. 

Meat and Egg Shares: DM customers, if you want to guarantee local meat and eggs for your household, shares are available from our friends at Ebersole Cattle Company. Not currently available on Tuesdays, but contact Shanen for more information.

CSA members will be receiving an email in the next couple of weeks 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)