Our field of clover, seeded in late August, is coming along nicely with help from the fall rain.
Compost Tea Experiment
Last week we began a late season experiment in making compost tea. Compost tea is exactly what it sounds like, you make a big tea bag filled with compost (we used insect netting as the bag) and you steep it in water. In addition to letting it sit in water, we use an air pump with an air stone to keep the water aerated and allow aerobic microorganisms to thrive and multiply.
Once the tea has steeped for 24 hours, we added it to a sprayer and did a leaf and soil top application on a number of test beds. We also tried a heavier application using a water can. We'll continue brewing and applying tea on a weekly basis for a few weeks and see if we notice any differences between the test plants and our control groups.
Compost tea is promising because of how logistically attractive it is. We can make a great deal of compost tea if needed and it can be applied relatively quickly and in a targeted fashion.
Acorn Squash
This week's shares will have the first winter squash of the season - Acorn Squash!
We love acorn squash because of how hardy they are and how easy they are to prepare.
A simple way to roast these squash is to cut them in half, optionally butter and season the inside, and then place them cut side down on cooking tray. Put them in the middle rack of the oven at about 350F. The squash is ready when a fork is easily pressed into and pulled out of the flesh (not through the skin). Enjoy!
Two more weeks of Farmers Markets
Tomorrow is the second last week of the Fenelon Falls Farmers' Market, which we'll be attending from 9am-2pm. And Saturday is the second last week of the Kinmount Farmers' Market, also 9am-2pm.
If you'd like to get in a few more market visits before the end of the season, we'd love to see you there :).
Let us know how we're doing
If you ever have an issue, question, concern, or comment that you'd like to tell us about, our feedback form is available and anonymous :).
Follow the link below to share your feedback with us!
This Week's CSA Share
Head Lettuce
Spinach
Turnip
Acorn Squash
Cherry Tomatoes
Beets
Bell Pepper
Garlic
Radish
Food Bank Donations
So far this season we've donated nearly 3,000 pounds of fresh produce to our local food banks. Most of our donated produce goes to Kawartha Lakes Food Source, a fantastic charitable organization that distributes to many food banks within Kawartha Lakes.
A big thank you to all of our CSA customers who support our operation and make this possible!