This season is one with many interesting moments. We have only just begun.
Lets start with the weather, often people will talk about the weather and this was us at one time. we would say, “Another rainy day.” or “boy its going to be a hot one.” Now we look at the weather to see what plants will need to get the rain or if they need to be covered so root veggies don’t split and greens don’t soak up to much liquids. We look a gamble to start the season 3 weeks earlier then we did last year because last year we grew enough to start and we ate all that we had ready early! This years weather with quite a few summer spring days was lots of work to get drip irrigation to all the beds so the plants get plenty of consistent water. Then these rains arrive and we have to adjust our water patterns to compensate and some plants like green beans are needing extra fabric cover as they do not like this chilly weather surprise. Weather out here means lots of things cool rain means a day in the high tunnel to get ahead on weeding or time in the seed house to plant more! We find ourselves debating weather it is mist or a drizzle or when it showers. If it is raining heavier then normal and will it hurt the tender leaves of the romaine. We splash with the ducks in the puddles of the tarps covering some of the beds we plan to work in next and if they got to wet it would take longer before they dried enough to plant in.
Working in the rain has changed the way we work we think about our task list and what can be done in the rain and when do we do admin tasks. We find that rainy days inspire us to think of recipes and often make things we want to try but have been to busy outside to get to.
Watching the weather here in the beautiful PNW is really a true testament to the outdoor lifestyle. We are out with nature and the elements create the perfect extra dimensions of cloud cover, moving shapes of heaping whip grey’s in the hidden blue skies. As the evening sun sets west we are looking east for the perfect rainbows that are such a lovely way to end the damp day. We have dubbed spring rainbow season.
with every rainbow we am reminded that we have found our pot of gold. It seems as though the rainbows are a simple reminder to enjoy even the heavy rain. Light finds a way to shine through and color even the grey skies.
So we keep digging deep and helping the plants take root so that we may all taste the fruits of the rainbow out here on Dilish Farm.
Week 2 for Group A and Camas farmers Market
Click on the text below each of the pictures to give you a recipe that I have found and used to make a yummy dish here on the farm. I hope that all the recipes are as helpful to you as they are for me.
Some great things to add to your pantry to help with these recipes: Orzo pasta, small jars to store your pesto, wax sheets for baking cookies! Toasted sesame seeds, Roasted sunflower seeds, (great for pesto) Hosin sauce or oyster sauce, (both are really great to add to braised greens) Garlic and onions are always in the base of my dishes and are a staple around here we hope to get garlic as soon as we have a few weeks of consistently warmer weather.
As we head into the month of June and the days are hot please bring something to keep your veggies fresh and cold when you come to the pickup. Remember to eat your greens first. This week is lots of greens but most of them can be turned into something and used later This means if you know you wont be getting to it right away think of your exit strategy. You can make the braised Broccoli leaves and jar it in the fridge for a few days. You can make pesto right away and use it whenever. Turn that lemon balm into cookies dough and bake later. So keep these things is mind when you get your bag have a plan. See you at the pickup!
Dilish Farm 