What's Harvesting?

We now understand why farmers are always lamenting the weather! Last month's drought demanded a lot of irrigation, but Steve "weathered" through it lugging the huge hoses from one dry area to another.   The recent rains have been just what the gardens needed- a thorough soaking! So what have these much needed rainstorms nourished to ripeness? Tomatoes, tomatoes, and more tomatoes! The vines are overflowing with red and sungold cherry tomatoes great for snacking. 

The Brandywine, Cherokee Purple, and Martha Washington heirlooms are unique in color and full of flavor lending them beautifully to salads with basil, fresh mozzarella and a splash of red wine vinegar.

 The Celebrity and Big Beef are picture worthy, hefty, and just the right accompaniment to a sandwich or burger. 

Also just beginning to harvest is the edamame or soybeans. Edamame is a complete plant protein food. See this link for more info on this bean’s health benefits. Health Benefits

If you have not tried edamame before, then prepare yourself for a surprise. The easiest way to prepare the beans for snacking is simple. The beans are cooked in the pod in boiling water. You can salt the water if you like. Cook for about 10-15 minutes.  Drain water. Sprinkle with sea salt and enjoy by pressing the beans out of the pod and right into your mouth! See the link below for more recipes using edamame.

Recipes

So, we will keep praying for a regular rain shower to keep the gardens growing, and we hope you will continue to enjoy the summer harvest!

Happy Eating!

Here We Grow!

Back in early June, when we were still enjoying regular rain and cooler temperatures, Steve and I made the certain decision to start a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). We felt like the time was right. We had been receiving interest from people who knew about our gardening, and we felt like if we started with 5 members, we could supply them with weekly vegetables and learn the process without too much pressure. So began our 12- week session with 5 families willing to take a chance with us in the hopes they would receive a hearty portion of fresh, nutritious, seasonal vegetables each week.

 Last week was our first week.  We awoke early Monday morning in hopes of a few hours of work before the intense heat of the day set in.  The harvest was good, picking tomatoes, green beans, kale, squash, flowers, and herbs. Steve was digging potatoes when a snake caught his eye.  A timber rattler was making its way through the garden crossing from one green patch to another.  It is always a surprise to look up and see a snake, but when it is a deadly, poisonous one, surprise turns to action.  It was a big snake measuring over 4 feet and had 12 rattles.  Steve was able to kill the snake with the hoe. It was relatively docile and certainly had made its way to the garden in search of water or cooler temperatures.  Once we caught our breath and settled our beating hearts, we got back to work.  At the end of the day, we were able to deliver a full pail of veggies and flowers to our CSA members.

So summer is here in all its glory- heat, drought, bugs, and even snakes!

We realize each day we are in the gardens, there is more to learn about the earth and its unfolding nature. While we cannot predict or control the rain or the heat or even the arrival of bugs and snakes, we can choose to be a part of the rhythms of the land. In so doing, we gain wisdom and guidance in moving forward.

Our First CSA Pails!

From Pail to Plate!
Thanks to CSA member Leah Muelemans for sharing!

                 

Welcome Summertime!

Summer is officially here and the gardens are growing everyday! Truly, plants will grow significantly from one day to the next. Where there was a bloom, the next day will be the fruit! It is so cool to be a part of such a vibrant atmosphere. It just shows what a lot of TLC and a healthy dose of sunshine and rain will do!

The spinach, kale, and lettuces are about gone for the season. There are still some carrots, beets, onions, and garlic to harvest, but the primary crops over the next weeks will be green beans, tomatoes, potatoes, squashes, and sunflowers. There are still herbs and sometime in July, we hope for sweet corn.

We are starting our first CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) group and we are thrilled to be offering 5 memberships for this first season. The season will run for 12 weeks from July to mid-September. If you are interested, please let us know and we will send you more information. It is a great way to support us and you receive a bucket of fresh picked harvest every week. It is a sweet deal!

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a time to honor and remember those who have lost their lives in military service. It is hard to comprehend the sacrifices our soldiers and their families make in protecting our freedom. Some, like my high school friend, Claire Estiponal, give the ultimate sacrifice. Her son JJ, a private in the Marine Corp, lost his young life in Afghanistan last year. I feel great humility as I offer gratitude to Claire and all the families whose loss is for all of us.

As I look out over our beautiful gardens  I see the new growth taking hold. I see the beautiful cycle of life that surrounds us. If we prepare the soil, nurture the seedlings, and water and weed with care, in a remarkably short period of time, we are rewarded with a bounty of sustenance for the body and soul.  It reminds me that whatever we do on this earth, if we do  it with honor, care, and respect, then it is a job well-done.

To JJ and all the soldiers protecting us, thank you for your honor, your courage, and always a job well done!

Spring has Sprung!

Wow! What a busy winter we have had at Rising Fawn Gardens. The biggest project completed was a 20' x 96' hoop house. We built the hoop house as a means to bring our customers our best, fresh produce for a longer season. All of the hoop house plants began from seeds tenderly nurtured through the late winter under grow lights. Once the transplants were delivered to the rich soil in the hoop house, they totally took off! Within weeks, vibrant green plants are now ready to harvest and enjoy!

                             Steve and our granddaughter Sarah Claire...sweet


Our first lettuces, spinach, and radishes are ready to harvest, and the bush beans and tomatoes are growing everyday. Out in the fields, planting is underway as well. First, Steve planted garlic, onions, snow peas, carrots, and beets. The next wave of planting included various greens, lettuces, herbs, nasturtium, and four types of potatoes! Stay tuned for more planting and harvesting info!

 Yes! Spring has officially arrived in the gardens! We will harvest our first pick of spinach, baby mixed lettuces, sorrel, Asian greens and radishes on Wednesday and  bring our bounty to the Main Street Farmers Market  that day (April 18) from 4-6 pm.
Please come see us and enjoy the pleasure of buying and eating food fresh from our garden to your table!

Check out the link to the Main St Farmers Market for all the market details!

mainstfarmersmarket.com/

Gardening is about enjoying the smell of things growing in the soil, getting dirty without feeling guilty, and generally taking the time to soak up a little peace and serenity.  ~Lindley Karstens, noproblemgarden.com