The weather was a little cooler as compared to the previous weeks but it was still a hot day.
We continued to harvest the summer squash. Farmer Erin probably planted many varieties but to my eye there are three; green, yellow striped and yellow ridged. Some of our shift harvested cucumbers. All total we harvested and washed over 500 cucumbers and summer squash. Then we hand-weeded the garlic chives.
We also removed the taller weeds and grasses that were growing intertwined in the carrot and onion beds.
Beth and Erin are quick to identify the weeds (*) by name; Burdock, Quickweed, Thistle weed, Nutsedge, Purslane, Lambs Ear. We wanted to remove all of the mature weeds before they go to seed. This is a delicate process especially if the weed is growing right within the plant roots. Sometimes the vegetable comes out when you pull on the weed, and you have both the weed and the vegetable in your hand. Onions can be placed back with your fingers crossed in hope for a recovery. Carrots, on the other hand, can't be put back, and are eaten or discarded. In my case, I had about 6 early carrots that were casualties of the weeding war which I brought home as treats to our rabbits.
This week's share was very bountiful: Beets (Bunch), Squash (1), Cabbage (large green or small red), Carrots (1 lb),
Tomatoes (2), Eggplant (2), Lettuce (2 heads), Scallions, Onions (early) and Choice of small artichokes, monster summer squash, patty pan squash, kale, or fennel. The U-Pick herbs available were also very abundant: cilantro, summer savory, dill, thyme, basil, and bronze fennel.
(*) Legal disclaimer : the word "weed" used in this blog entry is used in the most common understanding; that is, an unwanted plant which happens to be growing where it shouldn't be. There is no derogatory meaning nor judgement implied that the plant is not useful in some way. I admire people that can identify these plants but I really admire those can know their edible or practical properties. In the words of Henry David Thoreau, "a weed is a plant whose virtues we have yet to discover."
