Friendship Farms & Fare
Farm Report & Newsletter
June 2, 2014 – 35th FARM & CSA Report
REPORT
71 degrees at 3:30 AM, May 31, 2014
Historical Average (5/30): 89 HIGH, 73 LOW–Weather Underground:
The historical average is nearing 90 degrees. It will remain at 89 until early next week. The current average high is now nineteen degrees higher than the lowest average high (70), and twenty-two degrees higher than the lowest average low (51). We will reach the highest average high in early June (90 degrees) and remain there until early September.
Weather Report
Temperatures have been close to normal, and we’ve had a little more rain than usual for Spring. Forecast for the coming week is for near normal temperatures, with above average possibility of rain.
Garden Overview
All plants are thriving. The recent rains have been most helpful, both for their deep soaking of the garden soils and their cooling of the earth and air.
Seed sorting of winter crops continues. The last of the kale was harvested.
We started more seeds this week, and transplanted more seedlings into the gardens.
Spring/Summer Plantings
The first cucumber vines are now spent, although others continue to flourish, producing large and healthy fruit. Peppers are maturing slowly, and we’ve had a few tomatoes this week.
Our summer plantings are moving along quite nicely. Eggplants are producing their first fruits, and all plants have numerous flowers. Sweet potatoes are well established, with several beds now completely covered with vines. Okra is starting to accelerate, and the some pods are now largest enough to harvest.
Cucumbers
We continue to harvest cucumbers every couple of days. The fruit is coming in very nicely, and no pickle worms. We have been enjoying Japanese cucumbers and Longfellows. The Longfellows are now spent, but the Japanese cucumbers are still producing – and well above expectations. We should have enough to satisfy all shares.
Tomatoes
Special Report: Cadle’s Cove reports having ripe tomatoes for our shares this week. If you desire tomatoes this week, be sure to include them with your share request.
The 3F gardens are not as productive. We have harvested only a few small plum tomatoes.
We do have a few medium-sized tomato plants: John Baer, Peach, “Volunteers,” and a couple of commercial (organic) “Better Boy.” Only a few peach tomatoes have reached maturity. Shares will recall that last year the “peaches” were outstanding and continued to produce well into the summer. The others are doing fairly well.
The two types we seeded two weeks ago are now seedlings: a Florida heirloom (Tropic) and a French heirloom (Jaune Flamme [Yellow Flame]). Both are late season varieties. We’ll see.
Watermelon
Our experiment with watermelon is off to a good start. We have three varieties planted in three distinct locations – New South Garden (in the grove), Old North Garden (east side strip), and on the west side of Hart’s Family Garden. We are growing: Stone Mountain, Blacktail Mounting, and Petite Yellow. All are heirlooms. We’ve not had success with watermelons when we tried them previously, but we are expecting success this year.
Eggplant
Our eggplants are now flowering – soft blue, azure, and purples depending on the variety. Our Florida High Bush is still out pacing all others. Diamond and Black Beauty varieties are beginning to take mature form. Purple Pickling seedlings are growing rather slowly. It does stand to reason the Florida High Bush is thriving and the others developing more slowly.
See archives for April 7, for detailed account of eggplant varieties and cultures of origin. http://media.wix.com/ugd/643592_6fd736191eff46a8bf7c91e04bd5c78f.pdf
Pecan Tree Leafing
Our giant pecan tree now has a full canopy – about four weeks after its first leaf buds appeared.
The tree produces nuts each year, but other residents of the community consume the nuts before we can harvest them. Most likely, squirrels are enjoying the nuts, although this is not a certainty. Even if we could get to the nuts before others consumed them, we would have difficulty harvesting them because of the height of the tree – over 40 feet tall.
There are large pecan groves in Florida’s Big Bend and further north into the middle south. The groves are harvested using a machine that shakes the tree when the nuts are mature, dislodging the nuts from the branches.
Purslane
Purslane continues to thrive. Early to mid-Spring is a particularly productive time for this hardy little plant. As most CSA members know, purslane has the greatest concentration of omega oils of any land-based food. Only a few fish have a higher concentration of omega oils than this cheerful little plant. There is enough thriving throughout the gardens to supply all shares making requests.
Viticulture (Grape News)
The vines are flourishing, and ready for the trellises. Ray will be restructuring the trellises.
Okra
Okra is starting to take off. We had 100% germination rate for our seeds from last year and those remaining from 2012. Starts are being placed in the gardens as fast as possible. The young plants have quickly outgrown their starter cells. This is their season, they know it, and they are ready to go.
We have started close to 100 each of Star of David, Red Burgundy, Silver Queen, and Hill Country Red. That’s probably more than we can accommodate, so please feel free to order some for your own garden.
Shares will remember the wonderful okra recipes we developed last year.
Also, as a reminder, all of our seeds are from the 3F seed bank, saved from previous years. So, these are closed loop, sustainable seeds and plants.
Citrus
Kumquats are still budding. These, the smallest trees in our citrus family, are the last to bud. This is good for the bees and other pollinators.
Sweet Potatoes
We have over 300 slips planted, with 50 more to go. Most are in the New South Garden, although there is a nice complement of Beauregards in the Old North Garden. Both gardens are featuring second growth vines from last year’s crop.
Close to 50 slips have regenerated from last year, and about 20 vines well established in the gardens. We are planting our self-generated slips, and will continue to do so in the coming weeks.
Sweet potato leaves should be ready for light harvesting in a week or two.
We order our slips from George’s Plant Farm in Martin, Tennessee, as we have since we started growing SPs. George’s is a family farm, with a wonderful story. To learn about the Dellinger Family and their farm, here is a link to their website: http://www.tatorman.com/
Habanero Peppers
The Habaneros are again producing at a prodigious pace. We have plenty available for shares. Be advised, these peppers are very very hot. They are so hot, that handling them after slicing can burn your fingers – as some of us have learned.
We have four habanero shrubs, and probably have over 100 fruit ready to harvest.
On a related note, Ray (of Hart’s Family Garden) has pledged to craft his famous Hart’s Hot Sauce, featuring our habaneros. He’s wearing gloves this year, and will be acquiring bottles with larger mouths.
If anyone has a relationship with a restaurant whose chefs want to use a local organic searing-hot pepper, we’ll be happy to supply for a reasonable contribution — $1.00 per pepper.
Cat Briar (Smilax)
Smiliax is still producing. If anyone is interested in this wild, native-Florida specialty, now is the time to let us know.
See last week’s missive for an extended narrative about Smilax.
Honey: Local honey is again available. Our bee husbander, Robert, has just brought in an ample honey harvest. We support Robert’s work, which is as much about sustaining and regenerating bee populations as it is about honey distribution. Robert’s bees live in West Pasco County, near New Port Richey, they pollinate wild flowers, domestic fruit trees, and vegetables. Honey is available in 8 oz. bottles for $7.00 a bottle, $5.50 for CSA Shares.
Eggs: We have increased the cost of the eggs to $5.o0 ($4.00 per share).
Note: We may be discontinuing egg transmissions. The distribution system we have used is not functional at present. We are looking for another organic, humane supplier. In the meantime we’ll meet requests using organic eggs from Wright’s Whole Foods, in New Port Richey.
Herbs: Oregano is thriving, along with tarragon, and rosemary. Consult the share list for available items.
Tampa deliveries will be Wednesday this week. West Pasco deliveries will be determined on the basis of share request and distance.
Anyone in the New Port Richey area can stop by on Sunday between 2:00 and 3:00 PM. Please call before coming by – 849-1626.
For this week, here is what we have (FCFS, as always):
THE SHARE
June 2, 2014 (35)
* larger quantity available if desired
FCFS = limited supplies, early submissions given preference
Tampa Transmissions TBA
Vegetables
Cucumbers (FCFS)
Onions – Vidalia
Peppers – Habanero* – very hot
Smilax (Cat Briar) (small quantity)
Tomatoes (special from Cadle’s Cove)
Fruit – none this week
Fungus/Mushrooms – none this week
Nuts – none this week
Roots – none this week
Herbs (* larger quantity available if desired)
Basil – Italian
Chives
Cilantro
Marjoram
Mint – Citrus
Oregano
Parsley
Purslane
Rosemary*
Tarragon*
Thyme – (small quantity)
Seasonings
Bay Leaves – fresh leaves
Medicinal
Aloe*
COMPANION FAUNA
Bat update: The bats continue their absence. We miss our flying friends, and watch for their return every evening.
The bats continue to be active in the night sky above the garden, they are just not using the lodge.
Lubbers: One nearly mature lubber. We miss seeing these companions in their formerly abundant numbers.
Gopher Tortoise: No tortoise this week (no surprise)
Crows: No crows this week.
Great Horned Owl: No sight or sound of the local owl.
Opossum: No opossum
Big Brown Bat: No brown bat.
Swifts: Swifts continue to be active in the late-day skies, and very busy in their lodge. Their distinctive chittering and the wooshing sound of their winged activity in the lodge has been a nightly experience.
Tree Frogs: No additional broods this week, but the tree frogs are busy with songs and nocturnal adventures, including a fair amount of mating. See later report on raccoon.
Leopard Frogs: The Leopard frog remains at her regular posts. She keeps pretty long days– usually up and about by late morning, and still on patrol after midnight. See later report on raccoon.
Southern Toad: No southern toads.
Florida Black Snake: Not observed, although Ray reported seeing Florida black snake in Hart’s Family Garden.
Woodlouse – Several in various locations.
Nocturnal Garden Spider – Many in both gardens.
Bees: No bees observed.
Sweet bees: None.
Raccoon: Raccoon activity at both ponds this morning. The south pond was explored aggressively, and a mortally wounded tree frog was found struggling on the surface of the pond. The little frog was mutilated but not killed, and certainly not eaten. Your farmer quickly ended the suffering of the little male frog – an unpleasant task. A mating pair was observed in the pond, apparently uninjured, but it hard to be certain of this.
A raccoon was also observed in the North Garden. This is most likely the same creature that had enjoyed exploring the south pond. There appeared to be some raccoon activity in the vicinity of the north ponds, which is where the Leopard frog lives, and there was evidence that the raccoon had made some efforts to explore the ponds. There were few signs of aggressive or intense exploration of the ponds. Your farmer heard the raccoon, and chased it off, using an old folk-ways method.
The Leopard frog was not seen after the raccoon event. We will be attentive to her presence today.
Raccoons are great predators, and they are fond of ponds and the creatures that live in ponds. Like some cats and some human hunters, they also appear to kill creatures for recreation, not just for nourishment. As with the little male frog this morning, over the years, we have found the mutilated bodies of many creatures in areas where raccoons have been active.
Out of respect and compassion for our other companion animals, if we observe raccoons, we encourage them to find other predation sites.
“Asian Tramp Snail.” The snails are quite abundant now.
Cats: No cats in the gardens.
3F Stories, Events, and Policy Updates
Planting & Harvest Notes
Seedings: okra
Garden Starts: watermelon (Petite Yellow, Blacktail Mt., and Stone Mountain); peppers (Charleston Belle); eggplant (Florida High Bush); okra (all four varieties); beans (Hutterite and Henderson Lima)
Harvest Notes: assorted herbs, kale, smilax, purslane, cucumbers
Vermipost: no harvest
Bat Guano: no harvest (no bats)
Nursery Certification and Registration
Friendship Farms & Fare
48015239
Friendship Farms & Fare is a registered nursery in the state of Florida. Our registration number is 48015239.
In accord with state regulations, our nursery was inspected in April. Mr. Daniel Merced from the Florida Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Plant & Apiary Inspection conducted the review.
Mr. Merced gave the nursery a very positive evaluation, and recommended the 3F Nursery for certification and registration. We have now received the official documentation. While with us, Mr. Merced also inspected our groves, and offered extremely helpful insights into citrus growing, and the conditions of our trees. Interestingly, Merced discovered Asian Citrus Psyllids on every citrus tree in our grove – that’s the transporter of Citrus Greening. More interesting, perhaps, he detected no Greening in any of the young trees planted in the New South Grove in January, 2013. Your Farmer (now technically and officially a “Nurseryman”) learned a great deal about identifying specific challenges citrus trees may face and treatments for these challenges.
Our successful pursuit of certification and registration is another step in the development of the Friendship Farms and Fare sustainable urban agriculture project. As most of you know, we are already a registered seed seller. The nursery certification is an important expression of our farm’s mission and our commitment to responsible community development.
If you would like to support the work of Friendship Farms and Fare and help us cover expenses related to the project, please feel free to share a contribution. Friendship Farms and Fare operates under the umbrella of Ecology Florida, a not for profit corporation, so your contributions are tax deductable.
Seed Dealer License & Registration
Friendship Farms & Fare
S009451
3 F is a licensed Seed Dealer. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services issues these licenses, which are required to sell seeds to the public. Through our friendship with Ecology Florida, we applied for the license as a subsidiary of Ecology Florida – a federally sanctioned Not For Profit organization. Want to buy some seeds? To explore the Ecology Florida project, see: http://www.ecologyflorida.org/
3F Produce for non-shareholders (if available): As always, non-CSA Members may request produce from the share list for $5 per item.If requested items remain after shares have been distributed, they may be acquired by non-members. Just reply to this email if you desire anything on the list. We suggest non-shareholders start an account to cover costs of items
The Florida Loquat Festival: Celebrating Florida’s Urban Fruit
April 5, 2014 – 11:00 – 2:00
Market Off Main, New Port Richey
http://www.ecologyflorida.org/2014/03/florida-loquat-festival-celebrating-floridas-urban-fruit/
http://tbo.com/Local/CommunityNews/festival-to-promote-little-known-loquat-tree-20140319/
The first annual Florida Loquat Festival was a great success. Hundreds attended the festival. Fruit, trees, and preserves were sold or shared for donations. The educational program was well received. Folks are already looking forward to next year’s festival.
Soil Test Results
Results of our annual soil test have been received from the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida. The test measures for phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, and includes recommendations for additions of soil amenities to improve crop yield.
Amenities are lime, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium. Soils from the Old North and New South gardens all registered high in phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. This is typical for First Farm gardens. No additional amenities were recommended (except for a little nitrogen in the south garden).
Friendship Farms and Fare Pursues Non-GMO and USDA Organic Certification
As a matter of policy, Friendship Farms and Fare opposes the use of GMOs in food. We are exploring Non-GMO certification for our First Farm in New Port Richey, and possibly Tarry Lane Kitchens. We have the application in hand, and will be submitting it in the near future. Of course, we have never used GMO seeds or products containing GMOs, so you can rest assured that even without the certification, everything we share is free of GMOs.
We have also taken the initial steps to secure USDA Organic certification. The cost for USDA assessment (with no guarantee of approval) will be between $950 and $1300 depending on how much of the 3F project we desire to have assessed. As with our non-GMO commitment, we are fully committed to organic farming.
First Farm’s Community Garden Project at New South Garden
We are ready to receive applications for our community garden project. Folks interested in acquiring a plot can contact us through the 3F site.
Shareholders interested in acquiring a plot may participate for reduced rates.
We have installed sample community garden beds. Each is (108 sq feet) 12 x 9 or 18 x 6.
Farm and Fare Tours (Local Urban Gardens and Organic Kitchen)
If you would like to schedule a tour local urban gardens in New Port Richey and/or the 3F Kitchen (Tarry Lane Tasting Station), please let us know, and we can make arrangements. Our tours are experiential, informational, educational, and fun. Donations are greatly appreciated.
Typically, and depending on the season, participants visit several urban farms, learn about organic farming in an urban environment using permaculture philosophies and practices, observe and learn about urban wildlife and helpful plants, enjoy samples of live produce, and share in the preparation of the vegan cuisine. Tours are structured on the basis of participants’ interests and background. We can also arrange focused learning sessions at the Gardens and/or the Kitchens.
Please note that an appropriate contribution for the tours and learning sessions will be suggested when tours are scheduled.
There are four categories of tours:
* Urban Farming, Gardening and Soil development
* Urban wildlife and helpful plants (note if you desire a bat observation, which requires special scheduling)
* Vegan, Organic food preparation
* General (including two or more categories)
Please note that an appropriate contribution for the tours and learning sessions will be suggested when tours are scheduled.
Next Workday: TBA
If you would like to join us later in the spring, send your best Saturday(s) in June.
3F: A Florida Friendly Farm
The 3 F gardens are certified as a “Florida Friendly” environment – a certification we have held for over a decade.
Florida Friendly recognition is given to environments (typically residential yards) that support and enhance natural ecosystems. Certification is given in three categories (bronze, silver, and gold) based on a point system rating various features of the property and practices followed by the property owner. We received a high score but only a silver rating because of some changes in the program of which we were unaware.
Attention is given to features such as water-retention, native and drought tolerant plants, diversity in plant species, responsible irrigation systems, and amenities for native pollinators. Positive practices include minimal use of fertilizers (with organic preferred) and little or no use of poisons, groundcovers rather than turf, composting, and rainwater collection systems.
We encourage all our members and friends to pursue Florida Friendly designation for their properties. It is a wonderful way to learn more about Florida’s natural ecology and what you can do to create a healthy environment right where you live. It is also a great way to go green.
Folks who wonder what they can do be more environmentally responsible are encouraged to review the Florida Friendly checklist. If you can change even one thing about your yard or your landscape practices to bring it into agreement with the guidelines, you will have a made a difference. Even if you do not apply for the designation, reviewing the criteria will be an enriching educational experience. Putting the guidelines into practice will make a definite difference. Here is the website for the program:
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Other News and Reports
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COMMERICAL PRODUCE REPORT
Our Commercial Produce News Report is currently in repose.
We will resume when time and talent allow.
If anyone would like to volunteer to collect market prices, please let us know.
OTHER PRODUCTS FOR THE CSA FAMILY
Non-Members may order shares for $10 per week. For this nominal amount, contributors may request any items they desire from the weekly Share. Although we will assist with transmissions, it is the responsibility of the contributor to make arrangements for pick up of the share.
EGGS. Prices are $5.00 a dozen ($4.00 for shares), and $3.00 a half-dozen ($2.50 for shares). These prices are competitive with prices for organic eggs at commercial grocers. As required by our policies, our supplier is local, follows organic principles, practices compassionate husbandry, and allows chickens free range. If you would like to be included on the egg list, please start an account ($20 suggested), and make requests accordingly. Eggs are from humanely treated chickens, and fed non-GMO feed.
Note: We may be discontinuing egg transmissions. The distribution system we have used is not functional at present. We are looking for another organic, humane supplier. In the meantime we’ll meet requests using organic eggs from Wright’s Whole Foods, in New Port Richey.
Honey: Local West Pasco honey is available in 8 oz. bottles for $7.00 ($5.50 for shares).
Seeds: If you would like organic vegetable seeds for your garden, we will order them for you. Seed packs are $4.00 each, 2 for $7.00, and 5 for $14.00.
Seedlings: We are also happy to start plants for you. Just give us the word on the plants you want us to start, and we’ll do the rest. Starter plants in cells are $1.50 per plant ($1, for shares), $5.00 ($4) for four, $8.00 ($7.00) for nine. When available, small plants are $3.00 ($2.40) each, and medium plants are $5.00 ($4).
Let us know if you want to acquire seeds or starts.
We have okra starts.
Trees: Young Loquat trees are available in small (half-gallon) and medium (gallon) pots – $6.00 ($4.50 for shareholders). $12.00 ($9.50) for two-gallon and larger pots.
Vermipost and Worms: For folks interested in organic gardening, we have the best all-natural soil amenities you can find: Vermipost and Worms! Vermipost is compost that has been broken down and enriched by Red Worms. We also have the worms themselves. Vermipost is available in 32 oz containers for $2.50 each ($2.00 for shareholders), with discounts for orders of five or more. Vermipost containers will most likely have some worms in the mix. We recommend mixing the vermipost 1 to 1 with regular soil, and 1 to 3 or 4 with organic soil. Remember, if you use synthetic chemicals (such as fertilizers or pesticides), the vermipost will be compromised. Pesticides will kill the worms and synthetic fertilizers will kill the worms or drive them away.
Worms are available in 32 oz containers for $7.50 ($6 for shareholders). We cannot specify the exact number of worms in a container, but there should be 30-50. By the way, if you are developing an organic garden, always look for the OMRI seal of approval on fertilizers, soils, and insect deterrents.
Seeds: Shareholders are entitled to seeds from our seed bank – three types of okra and our famous Calabrese broccoli. Our seeds are organic and derived from heirloom stock. They are listed with Seed Savers Exchange, and also available at the New Port Richey Library Seed Exchange. Let us know if you are interested – additional packages of seeds for $4.00 ($3.20) a packet (of 30). We cannot guarantee germination, but in our tests germination rates are close to 100%.
Heirloom, organic seeds from Seed Savers Exchange are $4.50 each ($3.50 for shares).
Florida Central West Coast acclimated Okra Seeds offered by 3F are: Silver Queen, Star of David, Red Burgundy, and Hill Country Red.
Local Markets and Growers’ Sites Open to the Public
Endorsed by Friendship Farms & Fare
Market Off Main:We encourage members of the TBN G&G CSA to patronize the Market Off Main in New Port Richey, and other local produce markets. They often have organics, usually have local produce, are locally owned, and are now a distributor of Cow Pots. Here is their website: http://www.marketoffmain.com/
Tasty Tuesdays: Visit the New Port Richey Library Tuesday (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM) for a good selection of locally grown organic vegetables. New Port Richey Public Library, 5939 Main St, New Port Richey, FL
West Pasco Urban Market: Saturdays – coming soon.
Freedom House Farms: Open to visitors on Saturday afternoons. Featuring freshly harvested produce available for purchase. 5642 Virginia Ave., New Port Richey
First Farm: Receptive to visitors on Sunday afternoons. Featuring seeds, seedlings, Loquat trees, and select produce in season. Call for appointment afternoons or evenings: (727) 849-1626. New Port Richey.
To Return to our website, go to: < http://www.fffsite.org >
Friendship Farms & Fare
An Urban Farm Community, CSA, and Organic Wholefoods Kitchen
Friendship Farms & Fare Community
Cadle’s Cove Farm
Freedom House Farm
Friendship Farms & Fare: First Farm
Hart’s Family Farm
Seeds of Love Organic Farm
Tarry Lane Tasting Station
June 2, 2014 – 35th report for the 2013-2014 Garden Year
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