Have a veggie subscription with us? You are getting this email because you do not have a box scheduled for this week, but can still make a regular order through our store. If so, please complete the checkout process to submit your order.
Order vegetables before Wednesday at 12pm for pickup and delivery this week.
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Planting pickling cucumbers last week! |
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Early Bird tickets available until the end of May!
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Farm Update
June is here already! We are slowly, but surely, catching up on all our big once-a-year transplant jobs. The mile-long to-do list is being whittled down every day and we are nearly in a regular routine again.
Last week we planted the third (and last) succession of cherry tomatoes, the first group of Roma tomatoes, the third group of beefsteak tomatoes, the first hot peppers, and then zucchini, summer squash and a new crop: pickling cucumbers!
Over the years we have narrowed our list of crops to streamline things and focus on developing better processes. We have still been growing over 60 crops throughout the season so though the crop plan has narrowed, it's still not a short list! Regardless, it has been very useful because instead of trying to do everything, these changes have really allowed us to focus in and do a better job at what we are already growing.
Now that we have developed some solid systems, we will be trying and re-trying some new crops. On the list of things to look forward to this season include: specialty pointed Roma tomatoes, patty pan summer squash, red-veined spinach, za’atar, wild marjoram, thai basil, pickling cucumbers, and sweet peas! We also have plans to extend the season of celery, parsley, pac choi and mustard greens. We’re really looking forward to expanding the diversity of our crops and excited for the challenge.
There isn’t a great way for us to ‘practice’ with a new crop to see if it works at scale. We really just have to go for it! We usually try and fit new crops into one of the planting and cultivation systems that we already use and like, though it’s inevitable we learn something each time. Every crop and variety has its particularities, thriving in different conditions, with slightly different needs We just have to observe closely and make adjustments for next year. Let us know if there is anything you would like to see in the future from our farm- next year we’re thinking of adding more herbs!
Have a question or something you would like to hear more about in a future newsletter? Let us know at the market, farm pickup, or send an email!
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Zach planting some specialty Romas in a field tunnel last week |
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FARM STORE NOTES
FROM OUR FARM:
Don't miss Hakurei Salad turnips!
Red Russian baby kale on this week!
Green garlic from our farm!
Green garlic is the young garlic plant before it has developed a full bulb. Since bulbs take a long time to mature, we plant extra garlic plants each fall so that we can pull more early to have as green garlic.
The texture is somewhere between leek and green onion, and it has a nice strong, fresh garlic flavour. Take off the leaves that stick out (similar to processing leek) and chop up the rest to use anywhere you would use garlic cloves. If you're looking to feature it, green garlic can be grilled and the slightly vegetal quality brings a fresh flavour to savoury dishes like potato soup!
From the Fields: Red Russian kale, spinach, mint, lovage, thyme, sorrel, oregano, marjoram, dill, cilantro, green garlic, salad mix, arugula.
From the Greenhouse: Cucumber, beefsteak tomatoes, cherry tomatoes
From Hoophouses and Tunnels: Salad mix and basil.
From storage: Sunchokes and winter radishes.
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FROM OUR SUPPLIERS:
Asparagus from Mazak Farms
Parsely from Pfenning's
Ontario Roma tomatoes
PRODUCE
Mazak Farms (St. Thomas): Asparagus
HOPE Eco-Farms (Aylmer): Rhubarb, sweet potatoes.
Pfenning's Organics (New Hamburg): Carrots, yellow onions, red, yellow, and russet potatoes.
Through Pfenning's: Ontario mushrooms and Roma tomatoes. Canadian tofu. From further away, citrus, ginger, turmeric, broccoli.
DAIRY and EGGS
HOPE Eco-Farms (Aylmer): Eggs.
Through Pfenning's: L'Ancetre butter and grass-fed cheeses
Gunn's Hill (Woodstock): Brie, Handeck and Five Brother's cheese.
FROZEN
3Gen Organics (Wallenstein): Ground pork, sausage, bacon, ham, tenderloin, chops
YU Ranch (Tillsonburg): Pasture-raised ground beef, beef patties, stewing beef
New Leaf Foods (London): Plant-based beet burgers
BAKERY
J&D Peters Tortillas (Aylmer): Corn, spelt, whole wheat and unbleached flour tortillas.
La Houlette de vie (St. Thomas): Sourdough bread and pastry with grain that Seth fresh-mills himself
Artisan Bakery (London): Sourdough bread and pastries made with local flour
PANTRY
Aldred Maple (West Lorne): Amber, dark, or whiskey barrel-aged maple syrup.
Wildflowers Honey (St. Thomas): Unpasteurized honey from hives all over Elgin County, including our farm!
Mat's Fine Oils (Staffordville). Fresh, organic and cold-pressed, hemp and sunflower oil. Store in the refrigerator.
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| 2026 General Admission Music Festival Advance Ticket |
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PICKUP/ DELIVERY OPTIONS
Farm pickup: Thursday 4pm-8pm.
Home delivery: Thursday or Friday in London/St.Thomas, Saturday in KW region
Western Fair Market pickup: Saturday 8 am to 3 pm / Sunday 10 am to 2pm
Kitchener Market pickup: Saturday 7 am to 2 pm
We love to re-use wherever possible! We can take our CGF boxes and liner bags, strawberry and blueberry baskets/boxes, milk bottles, and egg cartons.
For deliveries, please leave these return items out where you would like your order dropped off. Thank you!
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Why am I on this list? At some point you signed up for our previous "farmstand" list or our newsletter list. Want to get off the list? No problem: . Common Ground Farm 6986 Middle River Road St. Thomas, Ontario N5P 3S9 |
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