Crop Report for our CSA members

Here's a quick report so our CSA members can see where we are at.

First - Tammy and I have taken time to assess whether we've missed any opportunities as far as planting is concerned and feel we've done pretty well with the limited chances we've had.  That doesn't mean we're not making more efforts.  And - here they are:

Steps we're taking
1. We have adopted one plot (10'x30' or a bit smaller) in Waverly Community gardens - it is planted.
2. We have received permission to plant in a second such plot (perhaps a third later).
3. We are seriously considering building raised beds on the farm this weekend and planting in them.  Likelihood this will happen is very high.  The possible issue is getting black dirt (it may be too wet for people to load and bring to us).
4. We are working to expand the time plants can stay in trays and pots.  If we have to, we'll order more soil and pot more of the plants in 3.5" pots than we usually do.
5. The high tunnel plan has been modified to include more green beans than originally planned.
6. We're dropping sweet corn from production so we can move other crops around.
7. Our best drained field is in the Southwest (not certified organic) and was slated for corn and pumpkins.  We are likely going to move other crops in there just to get them in the ground.  This is going to take some serious thinking to avoid any issues in the rotation and health of these crops (and future crops).
8. We are preparing our workers (and others) for a massive planting fest WHEN the ground is ready to plant. 
9. We are looking at ways we can still get the CSA started without compromising the entire season.  Tentative plan right now is this:  We'll do our first Waverly CSA next week on June 11.  ASSUMING we have something ready to pick (see notes below).  We will skip June 18 for Waverly and start Cedar Falls on June 20.  Tripoli will go June 12 and skip June 19.  We hope that by the time we get to June 25-27 all distributions will run - and continue from there on a weekly basis.
10. Continue to maintain a positive attitude.  We refuse to let this beat us.

Crop status

High tunnel - some kale, lettuce, chard and kohlrabi remain in the tunnel.  Not enough for distribution.  In fact, the lettuce is largely past peak.  The chard and kale need to be transplanted out so the summer crops can go in.  It is now just about dry enough to plant after it was flooded some days ago. 

Field E7 - Potatoes and Beans.  The south rows had standing water.  As a result, the green beans took a significant hit, but the dry beans in the other rows are looking reasonably good.  We will have to replant the green beans.  Potatoes are mostly fine except the south 2-3 rows.  That likely means no German Butterball potatoes for us this year (unless there is a surprise).  Weeds are starting to grow, so we'll have to find a way to cultivate even if it is a bit too wet to do so.  The lawn is growing, so we'll start to catch the grass and mulch as much as we are able.

Fields E6, E5 - nothing in too wet - these fields hold brassica (broccoli, etc), onions, winter squash.

Field E4 - Peas look good with exception of spots that had standing water.  Carrots - same.  Pole beans - 75% need replanting.  cukes haven't been able to go in yet.

Field E3 - too wet to plant - tomatoes and basil field

Field E2 - garlic looks good.  turnips at about 75% (low spots too wet and seedlings rotted out).  Rest of the field waiting to be planted.  Summer squash, zucchini, melons, beets

Field E1 - too wet.  Cover crop and meat birds. 

Field T1 - First batch of short season crops planted May 1 - most did not survive.  Some small kale and some lettuce is ok.  But, slow.  Second planting occurred a little over a week ago.  Chard germination is good, as is mustard greens, arugula, radish.  Spinach germination may not cut it.  Wet spots lost seedlings in all cases.  Turnips failed. 

Field T2 & T3 - too wet - melons, watermelons, peppers, eggplant, okra, beans

Field SW - has some radish that are about a week or so away.  Also some arugula and mustard green that are also about a week or so away.  Field plan being changed to take advantage of better drainage in this area.

In trays/pots waiting to be planted: tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, summer squash, zucchini, cucumber, basil, melons, winter squash, pumpkins, broccoli, cauliflower, romanesco, cabbage, kohlrabi, onion, leek, lettuce, collards, brussels sprouts, pok choi, chinese cabbage, kale, etc etc...   Looks like we should consider container gardening!