Week 3

The first day of summer is this week or as I like to think of it, the day that signifies grass pollen season is more than half way over.  We can't wait.  Hopefully it will be one of those beautiful days that reminds us all why we like the Pacific Northwest.  Like most other days around here, I am sure it will start and end with a hat and sweater.  As much as I love the heat, I enjoy the cool mornings and they are helpful during harvest.  It gives us a chance to get all your vegetables into the washroom before they start to dehydrate.

We moved start time for the crew up a half hour this week in anticipation of summer and warmer daytime temps.  Kelly and I both have our summer game faces on.  One of the crew commented that I seemed so serious the other day.  I want the crew to feel the rhythm of the farm the way I do: the increased sense of urgency as the days become sunnier, moving through succession plantings, seeing the rapid growth of the plants, watching the weeds get closer to making seed.  For me it has become a familiar pattern, but for them I think the most noticeable thing on the farm is our more focused expression and our increased expectations.  It is the time of year when harvest time starts to compete with time spent weeding and seeding.  Maintaining the right balance and planning properly becomes more important.   We become so focused on efficiency and not wasting time that we sometimes forget that we enjoy our jobs.  When we reach that point I find the best thing to do is to stop at the Chevron, take a deep breath and buy a popsicle!

Hope you all find a nice way to celebrate the longest day of the year.

Lettuce - Hopefully a variety called Lovelock for all of you.   Lovelock is a Batavian type with a great crisp texture and mild flavor.  If you secretly love iceberg but know you should be eating a red leaf this lettuce is for you.
Carrots - Carrots tended to run the gamut last week - super mini to decent size.  We are into the next planting and hopefully they will be a little more evenly sized.
Strawberries 
Cucumber
Snap Peas
Green Cabbage - Small Only
Bok Choy - Large Only
Zucchini - Large Only