Sunday, April 17, 2022

BGF NEWS - April 2022 - VOL. XLVII, NO. 6

This wasn't the weather I was expecting today.

WHAT’S UP ON THE FARM?


Weather in the past month:      Snow: 3.6" (and still snowing!)
                                                        Freezing Rain: 0.25"
                                                        Rain: 2.35"
                                                        High temp: 79° (4/10/22)
                                                        Low Temp: 24° (3/27/22)

Beautiful red seed potatoes
What interesting weather we are "celebrating" on the farm this spring. We were extra warm in March, and now, as we would normally be transplanting in the field, I'm sitting with a cup of tea, watching it snow. Don't get me wrong, I like snow. But I'm done! We've got potatoes to plant and seeds to sow and so much more to get going on the season! 

That said, despite the slow start, things are rolling forward,. This past week our newest crew member started, (welcome to the farm, Jim!) and we were able to get all of the fields composted and the early crop beds are tilled along with some early cultivation to battle the scourge that is chickweed. We burned the asparagus patch and we even got a few of the earliest field crops sown including peas, spinach, salad mix, arugula and choi. 
Grow, garlic, grow!
The garlic has pushed up through the mulch and looks to be growing well. The seed potatoes are cut and prepped for planting (thanks, Mom!) 

The high tunnel crops are growing well, albeit a bit slowly due to so many cloudy days. 
We have moved most of the early, cool-weather transplants out to the small tunnel to harden them off, but the nights have been so cold that we have to drop them to the ground and cover them with fabric to keep them growing. 
The sunroom (our plant nursery) is jammed to the gills with our heat-loving plants until the outside temps overnight are warm enough for them to move out. 
But it sure is exciting to see all those little basil, pepper and tomato plants flourishing inside until then. And even outside we are seeing more little peeks of spring color around the farm. 
The Cornelian and Nanking cherries are always the first to bloom and they were starting to grace us with their beauty last week, so it isn't all cold snow gloom and doom!

So along with warmer weather, what else are we looking forward to? 


The first CSA delivery is scheduled for June 7th and we have a few spaces available for new members. 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!

2022 CSA members should have received an invoice via email at the beginning of the month.  Many of our members have already sent in their payment for the upcoming season. Thank you! Just a reminder that membership payments are due by May 1.

Want to get some great local food in the meantime?  VegEmail deliveries continue throughout the year. You can custom order your farm-fresh produce, preserves, seasonings, (plus Ebersole Cattle Co. eggs & meats and Lost Lake Farm LLC cheese in DM) from the comfort of home (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 want to order and aren't already getting email announcements about the deliveries, be sure to let us know!
**VegEmail Schedule Change**
Just a reminder that April 26th is our final Tuesday VegEmail delivery. Starting in May, VegEmail moves back to Saturday mornings from 10-noon. Our first Saturday delivery will be May 7th at all current locations.


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. We wish you all the joys of the season and a bright new year!


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