September is the best time to eat!

September is the best time to eat!
Lots and lots of arugula, radish, Asian greens, and red Russian kale for the coming weeks!  Enjoying the cool, but not cold, harvest mornings lately.
Farm Update
 
Happy Fall Equinox!  Even though it remains fairly mild, it sure does feel like the fall because there is a LOT to do.  September is arguably the best time to eat in this region because there is so much choice and abundance to save!

We always find this intersection of summer and fall crops challenging because though our crew is experienced, it’s also compact.  We have so many crops on the go right now (this week we are selling over 170 different items in our online store) so prioritization becomes critical.  We always try and plant enough so that we aren’t short, but when so many things are in production at the same time we have to walk away from things sometimes.  For example, our last planting of carrots is a ‘just in case’ type of planting.  We are deciding in the next few days about whether we should spend our time weeding, or to abandon the planting and work on more impactful things than weeding carrots we may not need this winter.  Since vegetables take so long to grow, its usually better this time of year for us to start things and then have to make a choice, rather than wish we had more of something 3 months from now. 

We are in a pretty good place though and as long as the weather stays stable enough for us to finish up the last rounds of field weeding, our harvest season is looking busy and cold as always, but relatively straight-forward!
Setting your Preferences: You can set food preferences for your subscription!  These preferences will change what goes into the initial list of produce we send you.  We really recommend doing this (or updating it) because it helps you start out with more things you like, especially if you don't end up customizing your order on a given week.  Also note: If you were a member with us when we used Harvie, your preferences were not able to be carried over and should be re-set!  To change them, go to ‘My Account’ and look on the right side of the page, or click this link below:
SET YOUR PREFERENCES
Job opportunities: We are looking for a delivery driver for 2-3 days a week.  Driver resumes should be sent to chris@commongroundfarm.ca​
 
We finally got to a tomato tasting during team lunch.  We like the mix this year, but we're already thinking about adjustments for next year!
 
FARM STORE NOTES
 
Things to note from us: We added a Fall Salad Mix to our greens!  This is our salad mix with other tender asian greens mixed in.  Definitely a fall specialty.
 
Bulk Vegetables: We have closed our request form and will be putting bulk items in our store under 'Bulk Vegetables' based on weekly availability.  Some fruiting crops remain there this week, but we do have lots of bulk potatoes available too!
 
Fall cruciferous vegetables are here!  Collard greens, scarlet kale and large choi start this week in addition to the return of green cabbage and a bumper crop of broccoli.
 
Make sure to enjoy and save tomatoes over the next weeks, we are seeing a slow-down in their production.  We are saying goodbye to cucumbers and zucchini for this year!
 
From the field: sweet and hot peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, tomatillos, beans, green onions, beets, cabbage, napa, broccoli, kales, kohlrabi, swiss chard, radish, head lettuces, greens, and lots of herbs.
 
From greenhouses and hoophouses: tomatoes, sweet peppers, jalapenos, eggplant.
 
 
FROM OUR SUPPLIERS:
 
Great Lakes Farms (Port Stanley): Empire, Jonagold, Elstar, Gingergold, Gala, Macintosh, Honeycrisp apples. 
 
HOPE Eco-Farms (Aylmer): Butternut, buttercup, honeynut, and delicata squash. Sweet potatoes, onions and eggs.  Possibly the last of the sweet corn.
 
Through Pfenning's: Ontario Asian, Rescue and Lucious pears, Honeycrisp apples.  Travelling from further away; citrus, ginger, turmeric.
 
Bakery: Seth/La Houlette de vie (St. Thomas) is available this week.  Artisan Bakery (London) is available until they closeout on Tuesday morning.  
 
Dairy: Milk, yogurt, and curds are from Mistyglen Creamery (Belmont).  Please note: bottles and jars need to be rinsed well before being returned.
 
Pantry: Mixed-pack cans and Fire cider from Booch (London) and cold-pressed hemp and sunflower oil from Mat's Fine Oils (Staffordville).
 
 
Mixed beet bunches last week.  Lots more to come!

Weekly pickup / delivery schedule:

Farm pickup will be Thursday from 4 to 8 pm. 

Deliveries will be Thursday or  Friday in London / St.Thomas.  We will send out the schedule Wednesday night.

Refer-a-friend:  If you refer a friend and they sign up for our 2024 main season please send me a note and I'll give you a $25 credit as a thank-you on your account!
link:
Note that if you you will no longer get reminders about your subscription!

Common Ground Farm 6986 Middle River Road St. Thomas, Ontario N5P 3S9
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