Tractors make farmers right as rain :)

Another week is in the books and it's felt like we're working round the clock. Up at 5, out the door before 6, work 'til dark, office work until ya can't keep your eyes open, and then it starts all over again...rinse, lather, repeat... yep, thats farming!

Sweet corn is really showing growth now with the holiday coming in less than a week, leafy greens and brassicas are producing wonderfully, and we are getting more late season crops in the ground. While we keep up with cultivation, we’re watching field tomato growth. And, good news, blueberries are here!

The heat really has boosted our heirloom tomatoes, we're seeing fruit the size of our fist. We have plenty of crops in abundance and we're picking fresh every morning before the 2pm heat kicks-in.

It's going to be a warm start to the week, the heat and humidity returns, remember to hydrate, and take it easy folks.

See you soon!

Owner Harrison Bardwell

WHAT TO USE FIRST​

• Kale - you want to eat your greens when they are at their darkest color, especially kale, you will always get the maximum benefit
• Bok Choy - 5 to 6 days in the refrigerator crisper drawer 
• Squash - 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator crisper drawer
• Lettuce - 7 to 10 days in the refrigerator crisper drawer, do not wash or process until you are ready to use
• Broccoli - 7 to 14 days, completely dry, plastic bag or air tight container, refrigerator crisper drawer
• Onions - up to 2 weeks, peeled in fridge, several weeks, unpeeled, cool dry place
• Cabbage - up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator crisper drawer

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​TIP: Broccoli
Don't boil, steam or saute broccoli to preserve the nutrients and vitamins.

​LETS GET COOKING

ALTON BROWN'S ROASTED BROCCOLI
​YouTube | Food Network
Add some parmesan and breadcrumbs to your broccoli. You'll never go back after you've tried Alton's recipe! 

more recipes:

• Broccoli & Cheese Wild Rice Casserole - A Couple Cooks
• Lemony Broccoli Salad - Food & Wine
• Provencal Summer Squash & Potato Gratin - Food Network
• Summer Squash Casserole - Food Network
• Easy Bok Choy - AllRecipes
• Bok Choy Chicken Soup - The Spruce Eats
• Cheesy Cabbage Gratin - Bon Appetit
• Colcannon - Bon Appetit

​​WHATS GOING ON AT THE FARM

CAN'T MAKE YOUR PICKUP DAY?
If you cannot make your pickup day a friend or family member can pick it up for you or for themselves.

Reminder: pickup days cannot be changed, the day that was chosen on the enrollment form will be your day for the 20 weeks of the program.

Sunrise just before the kale harvest

I can't believe we're almost through the month of June already. It's like I blinked my eyes and we're already planting winter squash and pumpkins! June is one of those months you go from 0 to 60mph and keep that pace until November. 

The heat has been brutal the last several days. We're getting into the fields to harvest and maintain crops early in the morning and then try to get out as quickly as we can before it reaches 90% humidity. The name of the game is hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

It's also been a crazy past week in terms of repairs. Our delivery truck acted up and had to be towed from Northampton and our walk-in cooler has been playing temperature games. Every day I wake up and wonder what will we have to fix today.

Enough about me, how about you guys? How is your CSA experience going so far? Do you like the size of your share? Are you able to use everything in a single week? We want to know! You can always call (413) 800-5583 or message us at [email protected]. Send us your photos or tag us in social media @bardwellfarm, we're interested in what you create in the kitchen :)

Lots of farm fresh goodness in this weeks share, ENJOY!

Owner Harrison Bardwell

4 EASY CAULIFLOWER RECIPES
YouTube | The Cooking Foodie
4 easy and delicious cauliflower recipes! 4 ways to cook with cauliflower, recipes that anyone cake make.

more recipes:

• Cauliflower Soup - Love & Lemons
• Cauliflower Mac & Cheese - Food Network
• Sweet Restaurant Coleslaw - Allrecipes
• Golompke (Beef and Cabbage Casserole) - Allrecipes
• French Radishes with Butter & Salt On Toast - Kitchen Whisperer
• Roasted Radishes - Martha Stewart
• Strawberry Crisp - Belle of the Kitchen
  
• Fresh Strawberry Bundt Cake Recipe - A Spicy Perspective 
  

​WHATS GOING ON AT THE FARM

WEATHER ALERT
Sunday - June 13, 2021
Looks like thunderstorms on Tuesday folks, keep those umbrellas handy!

Troy, Jona, Jonathan, and Navi planting brassica seedlings
​
We're thankful that the temperatures dropped significantly this weekend. Not only were we racing against time to plant, maintain, irrigate, and harvest crops, we were battling personal dehydration and heat exhaustion. Several of our crew were definitely feeling the affects.

With the temperature change of course we received lots and lots of rain, just about 4" total to be exact. We're still bailing out parts of the farm believe it or not. It was a lot of precipitation to fall in a short amount of time. On the plus side the heat and rainfall REALLY moved our crops along, so there were some benefits. One other disadvantage of the heat and rain are WEEDS and lots of them. In farming you are always fighting something and this will be the new battle moving forward.

Enjoy Week 3 and all it has to offer folks!

Owner Harrison Bardwell

Garlic Scape Pesto
YouTube | Food Wishes
A quick and easy recipe to make a really tasty dish!

​more recipes:

• How to Cook with Garlic Scapes - Epicurious
• 7 Ways to Cook with Garlic Scapes - The Spruce Eats
• Dinosaur Kale with Baby Potatoes - Simply Recipes
• The Most Awesome Sauteed Kale - My Nourished Home
• Roasted Baby Beets - Recipe Girl
• Beet, Arugula & Goat Cheese Grilled Cheese - BS' In the Kitchen 
• Grilled Romaine Lettuce - Simply Recipes
• Classic Caesar Salad - Bon Appetit

​WHATS GOING ON AT THE FARM

​CAN'T MAKE YOUR PICKUP DAY?

• If you cannot make your pickup day a friend or family member can pick it up for you or for themselves
• Reminder: pickup days cannot be changed, the day that was chosen on the enrollment form will be your day for the 20 weeks of the program

Brassicas are looking great!

We want to thank all of our farm share members for an exceptional first week! It was wonderful meeting new friends and catching up with old ones. Your excitement and enthusiasm is inspiring :)

The heat wave we've been experiencing has been a blessing and a curse. It certainly has sped the crops along, but some of them so much so that they are beginning to grow too fast and bolt. We'll also have to irrigate crops if we don't get the rain they are calling for, all eyes are on the weather forecast right now.

Staying hydrated and eating right has been a priority for the crew. It's brutal working in direct sun as well as the high tunnels and greenhouse. We're constantly monitoring and keeping each other safe.

The high tunnel tomatoes love this heat and have taken off, almost doubled in size, and we're already starting to see baseball size fruit! Nothing says summer like a juicy well-ripened heirloom tomato. We can't wait to share these with you!

While we're on the subject of hot weather, we've added all kinds of new frozen treats to www.online-farm-store.com, goodies like Barts Ice Cream, Dove and Haagen Dazs Ice Cream Bars, and Crooked Stick Pops. If you need a cool down you can always order ahead and we'll have them ready when you pick up your share or stop by the stand anytime between 10am and 6pm!

Here's to Week 2 everyone, see you soon :)

Owner Harrison Bardwell

WHAT TO USE FIRST

• Asparagus - 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator, cut ends and place in large mason jar filled with a cup of water
• Kale - 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator crisper drawer, do not wash or process until you are ready to use, place them in an open plastic bag
• Rhubarb - 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator crisper drawer, up to 12 months in the freezer
• Lettuce - 7 to 10 days in the refrigerator crisper drawer, do not wash or process until you are ready to use
• Salad Mix & Arugula - 10 days in the refrigerator crisper drawer, do not wash or process until you are ready to use, wrap leaves in a paper towel and place them in an open plastic bag
• Radishes - 10 to 14 days in the refrigerator, trim greens, place in a container with a cup of water

​DID YOU KNOW...
The redder the stalk of rhubarb, the sweeter the flavor! Green rhubarb can also be eaten, and is just a different variety. All rhubarb is quite bitter in taste and therefore a great substitute for cranberries, and a good match with a sweeter fruit like strawberries and apples.