FOURTH WEEK OF THE SPRING SHARE The Spring beet root harvest began this week! We also had an explore in the first planting of carrots and got enough bunches for the full shares. This is just the beginning of both these crops! With a bit of heat, all of our successive "greens" plantings are stacking up on top of each other. We weren't expecting bok choy so many weeks in a row but if this week is hot, it will go to seed. So more bok choy, silverbeet and english spinach! There are ideas for each crop in the description and recipes below.NOTES ON STORING THE HARVEST Please check out our Vegetable & Fruit page on the website to find tips on maximizing the life of your veggies. We envisage that many of the vegetables you are receiving this week will last for two weeks with careful attention to storing upon arrival. Although we do wash all the greens after harvest, we are washing to take the heat out of the plants and wash away some surface dirt, not to prepare them for consumption. We also spray a seaweed/herb brew about every ten days. While this will not harm you, it does have a taste. We do suggest washing your produce prior to eating.WHAT’S IN THE BOX The following are the items harvested this week. Items and quantities in your box may vary depending on your harvest day and the total harvest of each crop. The boxes are completely governed by what is ripe and ready for harvest and how much of it there is. We endeavor to divide the harvest fairly. 1/4 share: 5-7 items 1/2 share: 8-10 items Full Share: 10-12 items

Beet Root Bok Choy Broad Beans Green Garlic Lettuce Parsley Rocket Silver Beet English Spinach Tatsoi

Extras Artichokes Baby Carrots Broccoli Purple Sprouting Broccoli Peas Turnips

NOTES ON WHAT IS GROWING The first small zucchinis are on the bushes and the corn has germinated. The wind has snapped a few of the field tomato plants but we have extras to fill the holes. This week we will be planting the first melon crop and getting ready to plant the capsicums and eggplant. Peter has prepared a new area for the pumpkin crop and we are putting lots of sunflower seeds in the ground.

Spring is the busiest time of year as we try to ensure many of the crops for Summer and Autumn are in the ground with time to grow strong roots before the heat of summer comes. We are also preparing areas of the farm for Summer green manure crops which protect the soil and then feed the soil before the planting of the Autumn and Winter crops. Meanwhile the weeds love the warmth and we are trying to keep on top of them. We are also sowing successive crops of roots, greens, peas, beans and corn.

The bees on the farm have been very busy this Spring with about seven swarms utilizing the bait boxes John, our bee man, has put around the farm. A few swarms have also just started making hives in trees! John has set up new hives with these swarms. The hives are so busy he is adding more floors so that they have the room to make comb, store honey and raise brood. The hives look really healthy and the bees must be very well nourished to have the numbers to send out so many swarms! There will be honey for sale at farm pick up hopefully by this week.

U-PICK AND EXTRAS AT FARM PICK UP CSA members are welcome to come to the farm during the farm pick up times for U-picks. This week there are U-pick edible flowers. There will be someone at the shed to give you scissors, show you what is edible and instruct you on where to find the flowers.

At farm pick up we have eggs from our chicken tractors ($7/dozen). These chickens are rotated through crops and pasture around the farm. There will be honey from the bees on the farm! And we also have Mountain View Dairy yogurt and halloumi cheese. This link contains information about Mountain View farm and a price list. The halloumi is a new item and we will know the price by Friday. If you are interested in their milk, you need to order by Wednesdays. You can email Robin.

RECIPE SUGGESTIONS Spinach and Chickpeas - A recipe from Smitten Kitchen Spinach Pie - from Jamie Oliver Roasted Japanese Turnips and their Balsamic Greens Broad Bean Pasta Rocket Pesto Beet Root, Feta and Almond Salad - Great served over rocket! Asian Green Stir Fry Steamed Artichokes

There are many more recipes on our recipe page. Search under the key ingredients listed in the side bar on the right.

Please note - Photo is of a randomly selected full share box.