July 2nd Week 2

Joni and I disappeared for the day Wednesday last week. As we were packing up to leave our regular volunteer, a CSA member, and Ashlee who does the flower bouquets were all arriving and headed into the garden. Kyle was out there working on the beginning of harvesting for the week. Although we were headed out to hike it was a bit hard to leave, they were all out there moving around harvesting, chatting, laughing, being part of the farm.

Joni and I met up with friends and made a second attempt (after an incomplete version last summer) of making it up the White Cairn trail to Blueberry Ledge in Evans Notch. I had gone back on my own last fall to complete the loop and to assess how far we had gotten with the kids relative to the top. It’s become a favorite spot of mine, just enough of a climb with beautiful views to satisfy my mountain cravings. I knew Joni was ready for it this year, and the two girls made it up easily, energized by the long rock staircase just below the start of the ledges. We had lunch at the top while dogs rested in the shade and then both kids ran almost the entire way down until tired legs and possible a loose shoe gave way to a big fall. Joni had trouble recovering, but we managed to salvage the day with a visit to the Basin and then ice cream.

The garden is doing its thing, and I almost hate to harvest, it feels like ruining a finished painting. But we will replace many harvested sections with new plants for fall that are growing in their trays waiting for their turn to grow.

Please take 8 items this week:

• Snap peas

• Very baby carrots

• Rainbow Chard

• Summer squash/Zucchini

• Purple Kohlrabi

• Kale

• Baby Beets

• Red Scallions

• Garlic Scapes

• Parsley

• Bok Choi

• Red radishes

• Red lettuce

• Maybe Celery?