Dumbo / Vinegar Hill / CSA

With the shorter day length and cooler evening temperatures we now see a much slower rate of growth on all the vegetable items that we have remaining in the fields.  What might normally take some vegetables 60 days of growing time during the summer period, (for example our carrots), are now reaching maturity for harvest on a 90 to 120 day time period.

Our Brussels Sprouts are one of those crops that take more than (3) months to mature.  Best grown in the fall cooler weather, the flavor actually improves after the plant experiences a frost and cold weather.  I know what some of you are thinking, and that is, no amount of cold weather will improve the flavor enough for you to want to leave your loved ones for Brussels Sprouts.  We’ll, some of you are in luck this week and hopefully others next week too.  We hope to have enough for both CSA members ‘to have a go’ with one of the ‘coolest’ looking vegetable we grow.  Even if you’re not crazy about the taste, you’ll easily recognize its potential utility as a defensive tool.  Carry this item in your CSA bag or box and guaranteed you’ll command respect, and that’s not just from people recognizing you as a discriminating vegetable consumer.  I would not be a bit surprised if people passing you on the sidewalk did not give you ‘a lot’ more personal space to move in if they see you approaching with this vegetable stalk in your hand.

In all fairness to your friends and neighbors, I would suggest using discretion when moving your Brussels sprouts about.

Be well,

Fred & Karen

PS. Mark your calendars for a ‘CSA Member Appreciation Visit’ at the farm, November 16^th, Sunday from 1:00 to 3:00 PM.  Weather permitting; we plan to have a ‘Hay Ride’ around one of the fields and short walking tour of the greenhouses.  We’ll also have some light snacks and soft drinks for you.  For those of you that missed out on the early summer tour, now is your last chance (for the season) to see the fields where your veggies have been harvested from.

Plus, you’ll have an opportunity to ask those grower’s questions that have been nagging you all season.  For example last year, one person asked if the Orange colored Cauliflower that we grew, named ‘Cheddar’, tasted like Cheese?  The answer to that question and more await members on that special day.  All CSA members and their guests are welcome.