Spinach is back!

Spinach is back!
Fall cabbages, kales and broccoli looking quite photogenic!  We're pretty proud of this planting so far.
Farm Update
 
We are excited to see our spinach plantings looking healthy and with workable weed pressure.  Spinach has been a challenging crop for us this year.  It struggles in the summer, but we did also have a string of very poorly germinated sections.  From talking to other farmers it sounds like a lot of folks in this area have experienced the same thing this year.  Finally, it seems like we are past that and are now entering the time of year where spinach grows and tastes the best too!

In the fall we like planting spinach wherever we can because its so cold hardy that we can keep coming back to harvest long after other crops have been frozen out of the fields.  Almost all of our fall spinach will be overwintered, meaning its left in the fields without cover and can be cut whenever its not frozen. Since lower light hours and temperatures result in slower growth, its great to have lots of plantings to choose from when we go out to harvest in the middle of winter.  The new growth is one of the first things we harvest from the field in the new year and, like the fall spinach, has amazing flavour and sweetness.

In other news, green cabbage makes a return this week and we are expecting a huge crop of broccoli.  With summer crops still around, it can be a little hectic managing so many different things, but it is a really exciting time to eat fresh and preserve extra for leaner times of year.
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 share 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 also looking for a delivery driver!  Driver resumes should be sent to chris@commongroundfarm.ca​
 
Broccoli straight from the field!
 
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.
 
Hot peppers, especially cayennes and habanero are in full swing!  If you aren't sure you will use them all in time, this is the perfect time to freeze them for use all year. We really like to freeze them whole, or for cayennes dry in a dehydrator or even on the counter.
 
Head lettuces like romaine, magenta and mini heads (aka. little gems) are really great right now!  Our best plantings of the year so far.
 
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, cooking scallions, beets, cabbage, broccoli, kale, swiss chard, radish, head lettuces, greens, and lots of herbs.
 
From greenhouses and hoophouses: tomatoes, sweet peppers, jalapenos, eggplant.
 
Bulk/bushel orders:  We will have bushel/bulk quantities of fruiting crops available.  Fill out the form below to submit a request and we will work to accommodate everyone based on availability week-to-week!
BULK REQUEST FORM
 
FROM OUR SUPPLIERS:
 
Great Lakes Farms (Port Stanley): Zestar, sunrise, Elstar, gingergold, gala, macintosh, honeycrisp apples.  Bartlett pears.
 
HOPE Eco-Farms (Aylmer): Sweet potatoes! Buttercup, honeynut, and delicata squash. Corn, onions and eggs.
 
Through Pfenning's: Ontario asian and 'Lucious' pears, ontario honeycrisp apples.  Travelling from further away; citrus, ginger.
 
Bakery: Seth/La Houlette de vie (St. Thomas) is off 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 oil and sunflower oil from Mat's Fine Oils (Staffordville).
 
 
Harvesting hakurei turnips

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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