2014 Spring share #5

Share notes:

• Broccoli—The first round of broccoli is ready! The garden should soon be giving us piles and piles of broccoli to give to you in the next few weeks of the season, as long as they continue to grow well. Many of you received rather small or fairly loose heads- remember: this is just the beginning of the broccoli. More and higher quality should be right around the corner!
• Turnips—Hakurei.  Yes, the Hakurei are back! These are my favorite turnips with their solid white globes that are so mild. Flea beetles are damaging many of the leaves of our turnips but they do not effect the roots.  Flea beetles are one insect that is pretty unaffected by our organic pest control measures.  These little bugs are more trouble in the spring than in the summer and fall so the greens should look pretty again in future plantings.
• Onions— These young spring onions will not store for very long, so keep them in the fridge and use them up within a week or two. We’ve got lots more coming in late spring and early summer.
• Radishes—Easter Egg. These multi-colored beauties are extra tasty right now with the cooler weather we had last week.
• Kale—Red Russian. The leaves are so tender this week, you’ve just got to try  the massaged kale salad and the rainbow kale salad with lentils!
• Lettuce— A tender green Boston variety for everyone! Large shares also received a red summer crisp variety. Enjoy lettuce while you can, as it will only be growing for a few more weeks. It can’t tolerate our Texas heat so once it’s gone, you won’t have it again until November or December.
• Snow peas—Small shares, it’s your turn to receive these sweet beauties.
• Cabbage—Just for the large shares. You received a 1-2lb savoy leafed cabbage. In the weeks to come you’ll get to try some other varieties.

This week’s box is a little less full than you’ve received as the season transitions into the more dense crops.  The garden had a little less to offer you this week, but as new things become ready, your boxes will be bountiful again!  The next crops that will be ready in the weeks to come are beets, cauliflower, Swiss chard, carrots and kholrabi!  We don’t know exactly when they’ll be ready but they’re doing great and we can’t wait to send them to you.

We’d love to know what fun ways you’re using your produce, drop us a note to let us know what culinary adventures you’re taking!  And don’t forget to head on over to the Kitchen blog to see what we’re cookin’ up!

Jessica & Justin

Large

Large share, clockwise from top:  Boston and red Summer Crisp lettuce, broccoli, Easter Egg radishes, Savoy cabbage, Red Russian kale, Hakurei turnips, and yellow and white spring onions in the center.

Small

Small share, clockwise from top: broccoli, Easter Egg radishes, Hakurei turnips, spring onions, Red Russian kale, lettuce, and snow peas in the center.