Thank you Summer Crew!

Thank you Summer Crew!
Some of our summer helpers working on weeding with the crew
Farm Update
 
 
Big changes on the farm this week since saying goodbye to our spring and summer workers as most of them head back to school.  We had a wonderful mix of returning crew members, new faces, and ages.  We always say that we have the best people here on the farm and this group is certainly included in that.  Heatwaves, downpours, new crops, endless transplanting, trellising, harvesting, weeding, and packing, they pushed through with enthusiasm and can-do attitudes about whatever our schedule threw at us.  Thank you to all put in so much hard work with us full-time, short-time and as occasional helpers this spring and summer.  Raine, Janessa, Addie, Lance, Christine, Helena, Nolan, Sadie, you will all be missed!

The reduction is our crew does not, however, signal a slowing in production.  We are really just approaching harvest season right now.  We are thankful that most of the initial planting and weeding for our storage crops was completed before we lost the summer crew because now we have a much smaller group to manage larger bulk harvests and regular production.  This shift is notoriously challenging, but we are entering this phase in a pretty good place.

As we start to plan winter crops we are looking at which fruiting crops from our greenhouses and hoophouses are slowing down and can move out to make way for chard, spinach and late-fall lettuces.  Our early plantings of cucumber, eggplant and tomatoes are slowing down and we will slowly be removing them and turning over those spaces.  We are also clearing our greenhouse to have an energy curtain installed, which will help retain heat at night in the greenhouse this winter.

So lots of exciting things are still happening!  We would like to add a crew member for the fall, which would really make sure we have enough hands to harvest staple crops we need for throughout the winter.  If you or anyone you know are interested in working with us this fall (and potentially into the next year) click on the job add below.​
 
WE ARE HIRING:
We are hiring a delivery driver for 2-3 days a week.  Resumes should be sent to chris@commongroundfarm.ca
We are also looking for a full-time crew member!  Follow the link below.
 
 
JOIN OUR TEAM
 
FARM STORE NOTES
 
Things to note from us: Warm weather last week brought us lots of beautiful, ripe tomatoes!  Cherry tomatoes are back up to quarts.  For beefsteaks; A small flat is at least 6L.  If you're looking for larger quantities read the information below on bulk orders!
 
We are finally into our larger lettuce plantings and have lots of Salad Mix available and are adding a Spicy Salad Mix (salad mix with mustard greens) to our offerings.
 
Lots of celery are available.  Ours have the leaves on and we really recommend chopping them up and using them as a garnish or stirring into soups.
 
Cherry Bomb hot peppers have started and are similar to a ripened jalapeno, a must try!
 
From the field: watermelons, sweet and hot peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, zucchini, tomatillos, zucchini, watermelon, beans, green onions, cooking scallions, beets, cabbage, broccoli, kale, swiss chard, choi, radish, head lettuces, greens, and lots of herbs.
 
From greenhouses and hoophouses: tomatoes, cucumbers, 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): Bartlett pears, gingergold, gala, macintosh, honeycrisp apples
 
HOPE Eco-Farms (Aylmer): Corn, delicata squash and eggs.
 
Through Pfenning's: Ontario bartlett pears and mushrooms.  Travelling from further away; citrus, ginger.
 
Bakery: Seth/La Houlette de vie (St. Thomas) with his house-milled sourdough breads!.  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:Fire cider from Booch (London) and cold-pressed hemp oil and sunflower oil from Mat's Fine Oils (Staffordville).
 
 
Finishing the last bean harvest before this crew heads back to school!

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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