The Last Week of 'Winter 2025'

The Last Week of 'Winter 2025'
Transplanting salad mix, head lettuces and herbs into the field last week with our waterwheel transplanter
Farm Update 
 
We have finally been able to do lots of soil prep. We try to start working the soil fairly gently and in advance.  This helps distribute compost and add organic matter which the microbes in our soil will break down, providing more nutrients for our crops.

Some major crops are ready planted in the field including onions, herbs, and flowers for our cut-your-own garden.  Potatoes, we are happy to say, were cut and planted this morning!  We are really glad to be able to get them in a little earlier than last year.

Last week we pushed through and completed what felt like a mountain of potting up seedlings for both the field and our plant sale.  We are nearly out of space to put seedlings and are totally out of pots until we do some more transplanting, but it’s wonderful to see the greenhouse full of green again.  

Our first group of tomato plants are now taller than all of our crew and have lots of green fruit set on the plants.  We are just waiting for them to colour… Tomato Watch 2025 is on!  We just have to keep quiet about them around certain teenagers on the farm (who don't read this newsletter) or it’ll be several more weeks before there are any left to sell...

The Last Week of the Winter 2025 Subscription
 
Thank you so much for being a part of our winter subscription this year.  We are truly grateful for your support and commitment to local food that spans all year long. 
 
This winter we opened up to more members in an 'off season' than we ever have before and were surprised at how many people wanted to join us.  In addition to helping us use all the extra the winter veggies we stored (a lot more than we have stored in the past) your support allowed us to have more of our incredible crew stay year-round.   
 
We are already so excited for how this season is shaping up and we will see you in the Spring to Fall Subscription that starts next week!
Tomato Watch 2025 is ON!
 
Order plants here

FARM STORE NOTES
 
Things to note from us:
Bunches of Genovese basil available this week.  First hakurei turnips of the year are ready.  Lots more crisp, spicy bunched radishes (with tops on) this week.  
 
From storage we have carrots, red cabbage, turnips, kohlrabi, celeriac, daikon.   From greenhouses and hoophouses: Choi, rosemary, thyme, dill, cilantro, basil, arugula and salad mix..
 
FROM OUR SUPPLIERS
 
PRODUCE
HOPE Eco-Farms (Aylmer): Kale, romaine lettuce, and sweet potatoes.
Forrest City Microgreens (London): Fresh, local microgreens perfect on top of any dish, in sandwiches, or blended into smoothies for extra flavour and nutrition!
Pfenning's Organics (New Hamburg): Potatoes and onions.
Through Pfenning's: Organic ambrosia apples, cocktail tomatoes, beets, celery, broccoli, garlic, mushrooms, citrus, ginger, turmeric.
 
 
DAIRY and EGGS
Mistyglen Creamery (Belmont): Non-homogenized and vat pasteurized milk, yogurt, and cheese curds.
HOPE Eco-Farms (Aylmer): Eggs
Through Pfenning's: L'Ancetre butter and grass-fed cheese
 
 FROZEN
3Gen Organics (Wallenstein): Ground pork, sausage, bacon, ham, tenderloin, chops
YU Ranch (Tillsonburg): ground beef, stewing beef
New Leaf Foods (London): Beet burgers
 
BAKERY
Seth/La Houlette de vie (St. Thomas):  Organic sourdough bread made using local grain that Seth mills himself. 
Artisan Bakery (London) is off this week. Sourdoughs and pastry 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, organic hemp and sunflower oil. 

Weekly pickup / delivery schedule:

Pickup Instore: Farm pickup is​ Friday 1-7pm. ​Western Fair is Saturday 8-3 pm, Kitchener Market 7-2 pm.

Delivery: Thursday or  Friday in London / St.Thomas.  We will send out the schedule Wednesday.  
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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