Summer crops and harvest logistics


 
Summer crops and harvest logistics
Left side are romas and beefsteak tomatoes, on the right are sakura cherry tomatoes

Farm Update

 

The work we did a few months ago to plant early fruiting crops is finally paying off!  In addition to greenhouse tomatoes and cucumbers, this morning we had the first harvest from our hoophouse eggplant, jalapenos and zucchini.  The next (larger) successions of these crops will be following shortly in the next few weeks, so if you aren't able to get your hands on some of them this week, we promise lots more are on their way.  

This production increase comes at a great time because we now have a full crew and will be adding some local teenagers once school ends.  In contrast to the earlier part of 2024 where we were fairly short on labour, we suddenly have enough.  We will likely still hire someone to start in the fall, but for the summer we look forward to enjoying a lot of hard work and a little more balance.

In the field we are busy setting up irrigation systems and checking that our equipment is functional so we're ready for the first really dry days.  This spring we have had pretty consistent rain, but the higher temperatures this week are a warning that the fields will probably dry out fast and everything will need water all at once.  It's can be logistically challenging when that happens and we are out of our field-irrigation routine, but testing equipment for winter damage at least means we shouldn't have too many surprises.

 

FARM STORE NOTES:

Things to Note from us: Starting this week we have broccoli, eggplant, zucchini, jalapenos, and magenta head lettuce.  If you haven't had magenta lettuce before, it's a beautiful full-sized red and green lettuce with a crispy rib!

Eggplant, jalapenos, zucchini, tomatoes, cucumbers and basil are from our hoophouses. From the field we have garlic scapes, beets, head lettuces, kale, chard, spinach, arugula, choi and herbs. 

 

 

From our suppliers:

Pfenning's: Processing grade flats of strawberries (12 lbs), red potatoes.

Through Pfenning's: Ontario rhubarb (#2), mushrooms and tomatoes. Travelling from further away: celery, citrus, ginger, turmeric.

HOPE EcoFarms: Strawberries, broccoli and sweet potatoes.

Mazak: Asparagus firsts or seconds

 

 

Bakery: Seth (La Houlette de vie) and Artisan Bakery.

Dairy: Milk, yogurt and curds are available from Mistyglen Creamery.  Please note: The team at the creamery has asked us to remind folks that jars/bottles need to be clean when they are returned.  Dirty containers makes for an unpleasant job that takes a long time and sometimes bottles have to be discarded.

Pantry:  From Booch in London we have kombucha mixed packs and fire cider. Sunflower and hemp oil from Mat's Fine Oils.

T-shirts: awesome design by Amanda DeVries!

Middle River Music Festival: We have a family-friendly music festival on the farm every August.  Local music, food, and farm tours. 

 

 
Music Festival Tickets
Diversity on the farm; a monarch caterpillar enjoying the morning sun

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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