Enough is enough!  When we reached a full month of rain, clouds, and mist, the plants finally started to protest.  As we all know, the rain this year has been extraordinary (and hopefully not a preview of climate change to come).  The stress of so much water and lack of sun affects the farm in a number of ways, ranging from more subtle (the sugar snap peas are not as sweet as usual) to the painful to see (all 500 basil plants in standing water).    Then there are the fields that we normally worry about being too dry in July, and this year we sink in the mud up to our calves (which also means that the seeds that have been planted in them have often rotted away).  It definitely is a strange year.  

The silver lining?  The greens love it.  From the chard to the lettuce, greens are rejoicing that the summer has never seemed to arrive.   For those of us waiting for the day that beans and tomatoes will roll in, though, the lack of sun is forcing us to be more patient.  So thanks to all of you for understanding the nature of farming. Even though we have learned this lesson many times,  we’re always surprised by the practical impact of mother nature’s surprises.  So in the meantime we enjoy what is growing well, and we look forward  to seeing a little sun on the farm any day now!

Have a great week

 Reba and the HCF crew

 Week 4 veggies:  Scallions, Mesclun Mix, Lacinato Kale, Swiss Chard or Collards, Sugar Snap Peas, Zucchini or Zephyr Summer Squash

This week’s recipes:  Caremelized Onion Sauce with Greens, Wheat Berry Salad with Red and Green Onions, Swiss Chard with Raisins and Pine Nuts