July 13, 2013 - Share #1!

Greetings folks - here we go!

What's in the box:

Lettuce - rinse leaves, pat dry or spin, store in fridge in plastic bag

Chioggia Beet (with rings)

Kale - either Red Russian or Rainbow Tuscan. Store in plastic bag in fridge


Beets - either Classic Red or "Chioggia" (red with concentric white inner rings) Beets will keep for a long time in the fridge if you remove the greens. Store greens separately in plastic bag. Greens are very nutritious!

"Rainbow" Swiss Chard - use those pretty stems! (recipe below) Store in plastic bag in fridge

Carrots - Store in plastic bag in fridge

Spring onions-Store in plastic bag in fridge. These onions are not cured and need to be refrigerated.

Summer squash/zucchini-Store in plastic bag in fridge

Fresh Cilantro - stems in water in fridge, or in a plastic bag in fridge


Fresh Tarragon or Fresh Chives - choose one. For tarragon: stems in water in fridge, or in a plastic bag in fridge. Tarragon can be hung upside down out of direct light to dry. Chives can be chopped and frozen.

Salad Mix - for those who have ordered. In the Mix these days: several kinds of lettuce, chard, endive, radicchio, parsley, chives, garlic chives, sorrel, bronze fennel, arugula, edible flowers (violas, nasturtiums, calendula petals).






Notes From the Field: We don't have to tell you that rain has been the "name of the game" so far this season. Last year in July we were well into a significant drought and our main gardening task was to water - this year it is to weed! Weeds are also loving all the moisture, and the crew has spent a lot of time with their heads down, slowly crawling down the rows to weed, cultivate and hopefully stimulate the garden plants' growth.Often the crew will start at far ends of the field and work toward each other. It's a satisfying moment when everyone comes together at the center to pull out the last weeds. Here is the crew finishing a pesky two-day project in the carrots ( which we just weeded again - that should do it!).

Recipes for Your Share:

New folks will want to check out the Frog Holler Recipe Box where we post many farm and food blogger suggestions for using the veggies in your share - 21 recipes for kale! And there are now 15 recipes for beets with the addition of this Apple and Beet Salad recipe, deliciously brought to our attention by CSA member, Ponda.

Here are two salad dressing recipes using the herbs in your share: Honey Mustard Cilantro dressing
and Tarragon Salad with Citrus-Honey Vinaigrette.

And finally, as promised, a chard stem recipe! We also use chard stems as a crunchy substitute for celery in tuna fish, egg, or tofu egg salad.

Peas Turn Up the Beet!

Frog Holler crew at Community Farm helping to plant garlic - 2011

That's the name of the kickstarter project of the Community Farm of Ann Arbor. You may have heard of the Community Farm but might not know that they were the first CSA in this area and the eighth in the country; they have been sharing the food faith with their members for 26 years! The Community Farm farmers, Paul Bantle and Anne Elder, have both worked and/or  lived at Frog Holler and we continue to share strong connections in work and play.

The Community Farm is asking for support as they raise funds to put on a fantastic evening of music at the Ark in October. They need money to pay the musicians and venue; after they cover expenses any additional funds will go to supporting the Community Farm's long-time commitment to organic, community-oriented agriculture.

We personally know the bands who are playing at the concert (one of the groups will also be at Holler Fest) and we are happy to spread the word about this creative approach to raising awareness as well as funds. Check out the kickstarter page; watch the video or read their compelling description of what they do at Community Farm, and consider donating.

 And we do appreciate the support that you already give to a small-scale organic farm!!

Have a good week!

Giant Jenga moment a the July 6 party - it was nice to see some of you there!