Today I planted the last of the 2019 transplants ahead of the all-day rain we are supposed to get tomorrow. These last plants included: spinach, beets, and more salad mix. Plus I direct seeded some arugula and radishes. Now we just need that rain to make everything happy!

I am moving firmly into what I consider the fall tasks here on the farm (but I'm still hoping for several weeks of summer weather!). All of the onions have been harvested and are drying in the greenhouse and the squash will follow shortly. I have sown buckwheat on empty beds that won't be used this season and I am slowing pulling out plants that are at the end of their life. The garlic is nearly all trimmed and you get the first taste of it in your shares this week! The garlic is big, beautiful and delicious this year so I hope you enjoy. 

We have another week of sweet corn and although the cobs may be slightly smaller, they are still delicious! The tomatoes are cranking out lots of ripe fruit and, barring some unexpected disease, should continue for several more weeks yet. The zucchini, however, is nearly finished and I expect this week or next to see the last of the zucchini.

As we start to experience slightly cooler days and nights, I thought now would be a great time to share some seasonal soup recipes. Enjoy!

​Roasted Tomato Soup
Summer Vegetable Soup
Beet Borscht 

After a lovely four days canoeing in the backcountry of Algonquin, we are back with some peak summer vegetables! The tomatoes have ripened significantly while we were away so everyone will enjoy more tomatoes this week. The sweet peppers are starting to ripen and the carrots have grown bigger. And a real treat this week: sweet corn! While I typically grow some sweet corn for us as a family, I don't generally include it in shares. We often lose more than 50% to resident raccoons and skunks and corn is a land and nutrient intensive crop that doesn't lend itself to small scale farms. That said, we've had a great crop this year and there is enough to share. 

Late August is not the most beautiful time on the farm: the plants are starting to look a little ragged and care-worn and certain crops are winding down production. Our cucumbers are one of these crops. We will still have some in the trade-in bin for a few weeks but otherwise they are done for the season. 

Another crop that is (temporarily) finished is kale. Normally, we have kale through the entire season but we have had a sudden ambush of flea beetles in the past week, which have totally destroyed our spring kale crop. You can see in the pictures below the extent of the damage. And these little insects did all this damage in a three day window! Luckily, I had new kale transplants ready to go and planted those (and row covered them well) today. This means we will be without kale for the next few weeks but should have it for the last couple fall weeks. Those that have greens add-ons will still receive their greens, but it will primarily be chard until the kale returns.

You will see that we have some bonus jalapeno peppers in your shares this week. These hot peppers, like any herbs, are a bonus item. This means that I don't calculate the value of these in your shares and, as such, they are not trade-able. Take them or leave them, as you desire. 

Here are some recipe ideas that use many of the summer vegetables in your share:

Tomato Corn Salad
Parmesan Zucchini and Tomato Gratin
​Zucchini Carrot Apple Muffins
​Garlic Roasted Carrots
​

We finally have some carrots for share members! These carrots have been slow to size up and they are still a bit small but they are delicious nevertheless. The onions have been doing very well this year and we have some mild white onions to enjoy. These onions are equally great cooked or eaten raw. 

I harvested our garlic last week and it looks big and beautiful. Once we wait a few weeks to let it cure, you will be enjoying regular garlic in your shares as well. 

A reminder that next week (the week of August 12th) is an off-week for the CSA. I will send a reminder email closer to the date and deliveries will resume the following week.

** Reminder regarding vacation days and double shares**
Anyone who has taken a vacation day(s) needs to take their double share on any week up to (and including) the week of September 9th. We cannot provide double shares on the final 3 weeks of the season as these shares are already nearly double in size. Please send me an email or record in the check-in book the week in which you want your double share. Thanks!

We've had zucchini in our shares for a few weeks now and you may be looking for further inspiration on how to use these prolific vegetables. Since I never buy zucchini out of season, we eat our fill in the summer and it often makes an appearance in nearly every meal we eat. Roasted in sandwiches and as a side with eggs, grated in pancakes and breads, cubed in stirfries and soups, and grilled on the BBQ are all favourite ways to use the zucchini. For more ideas, check out these recipes:

The Three Best Ways to Cook Spiralized Zucchini Noodles
Creamy Zucchini Soup with Walnuts and Dill
​Baked Zucchini Fries
​Blueberry Zucchini Lemon Cake