BGF NEWS - May 2023 - VOL. XLIX, NO. 7

What’s up on the farm?

Precipitation in the past month: Rain: 1.48" (not nearly enough!)

Happy Memorial Day weekend from the farm and heartfelt thanks to all those who have forged the path before us. 

It's been a busy and productive month here as the full crew is now on board and we are working fast and furious! May is filled with a flurry of field prep, transplanting, sowing, harvesting and cultivating. The bulk of the main season crops are now in the ground and growing quite well thanks to our irrigation system. 

We had a huge transplanting push early last week when, thanks to extra help from a couple of veteran crew members, we were able to get thousands of plants in the ground all in one morning including tomatoes, peppers, hot peppers, eggplant, summer squash, zucchini and ground cherries. Whew!

Then the next day it was melons, okra, roselle and flowers plus sowing winter squash seed. Everything transplanted over those two days had to be hand watered in which actually took longer than planting them. Some of the recent transplants were a little offended to move from their lovely protected high tunnel locations out to dry, hot windy fields, but most seems to be acclimating well enough as long as we keep the irrigation lines running. 

We had just enough rain early in the month to pop most of our seeded crops including the best stands of beans, popcorn and edamame that we've had. The potatoes came up so fast we almost missed our window to flame weed them and they put on enough growth that we have already hilled them once. Even the deer and rabbits seems to be pitching in a bit this year and only taste-testing a few plants here and there instead of wiping out hundreds of row feet of plants in one night! Much appreciated!!

Now the all too familiar mantra, we need rain! The average total rainfall for our area for April and May is 8.10" we've had a total of 2.60". While we are not alone and we are certainly not the driest part of the state, it doesn't change the fact that this is an alarming way to start the season. So if you have a raindance to offer, we are gladly accepting!

A few people have recently asked me if we are ever going back to farmers market. The short answer is, no, at least I hope not. Farmers market was a hugely important part of our farm and business development but as we have learned, grown and matured it became clear that we were ready for a different model going forward. VegEmail is the model that is currently working well for us personally and professionally. It is a huge quality of life improvement and allows us to really focus on our core customers and CSA members. That said, we are always looking for ways to diversify and grow those bases so feel free to invite your friends along for the fun!

VegEmail continues on our summer schedule of weekly Saturday deliveries to Des Moines and Knoxville. 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, or you want to share the link with someone just click here: Get VegEmail!.

CSA 2023: The season is nearly here! 

The first CSA delivery of the season is less than 2 weeks away, Tuesday, June 6th. Thanks and welcome to everyone who has signed up!

We've had an unexpectedly high number of CSA reservations back out this spring for a variety of reasons. We *try* not to take it personally, things happen, plans change, we get that. What that means is that we do still have memberships available that we would really like to fill. Spots are 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!

Current CSA members, just a reminder that we do have a weekly Bread Share available from our crew's family farm, Farmyard Fancies. We've subscribed to the Bread Share for the past 2 years and are looking forward to this year's delicious offerings! Bread Share is $120 (if paid with cash or check) or $125 (if paid with PayPal to
farmyardfancies@gmail.com). Please email Angie at (farmyardfancies@gmail.com) to sign up by Friday, June 2nd by 5 pm. Spaces are limited!

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, delicious food for so many amazing people. WE LOVE being your farmers!

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)