Powisset Farm CSA: Week 8

Dust bowl

I've been pondering what to write for this weeks blog post. My mind is consumed with thoughts on the drought. I have been meditating on the big picture as I watch global warming play out across New England. Powisset is not terminally unique in our struggles with the weather this year. I have been checking in with my fellow farmers about the condition of their crops. Across the board farmers are struggling to keep their crops alive and triage what to irrigate. At Powisset we have been spending a good deal of time moving around irrigation infrastructure.
When the soil is this dry and this hot for such an extended period of time biological activity will stop in the soil.  The delicate systems of bacteria, microbes, and invertebrates (like worms) that make up our soil web slow down or stop in this type of weather. This makes it even more difficult for our crops to thrive.

The Boston Globe recently published an article on the drought. I've posted the link here if you want to read more about the drought in this region:

http://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2016/07/24/west-coast-style-weather-strikes-northeastern-us

Colorado Potato Beetle infestation

This season we are also battling a pretty epic Potato Beetle infestation. As you pick your cherry tomatoes this week I invite you to squish at least 10 Potato Beetle. Potato Beetles eat anything in the Nightshade family. That includes potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers. Their damage is quite evident on the cherry tomatoes. I have used an organic control on the PB's in the cherry tomatoes but the most effective way to control them is to squish them.

We will continue to focus our efforts on irrigating and controlling the Colorado Potato Beetle. We have been putting a lot of effort into keeping our tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant alive. I am hoping that our efforts will begin to pay off in the coming weeks as we see their fruits ripen.

Mark the dentist and Andrew

The farm team has also been putting a lot of effort into trying to source crops that we are lacking from other farms. Unfortunately because the drought is so wide spread we have found few farms that are able to sell to us. This week we are sourcing corn from Valenti Farm in Needham for the CSA.

Thank you all for your continued support during this challenging growing season.

CALL FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS

You are invited to enter the second Powisset Farm Photo Competition!  Register & bring in your photos by August 5th. Exhibit & Voting August 6-27 in the barn. All photographs must be taken at Powisset Farm (anywhere on the 108 acre property). Photographers of all ages, and all skill levels are welcome. Come be part of the fun! For complete show guidelines, and to register, email toddimmick@gmail.com or pick up a flyer in the barn!

In the Share this week:
- Summer squash
- Zucchini
- Cucumbers
- Potatoes
- Beets
- Lettuce!
- Garlic
- Corn

PYO
1 pint cherry tomatoes

Zannah, on behalf of the farm crew