SAVING SEED & SAVING SUMMER
WHAT SEED WE’RE SAVING
This week has been pretty chill, other than our long harvest days and keeping everything watered in that weird heat wave (and august rain?!) You take it where you can get it.
With a little extra time, Jake has been on a seed-saving mission. He is determined to save seed from all the flowers at our headers and footers, as well as any food crop that makes sense. Borage, vetch, fava beans, cosmos, strawflowers, poppies, parsley, cilantro, alyssum, the list keeps growing. We’re also saving seed from all of our heirloom tomatoes, garlic, peppers, and other crops that will come true through open pollination.
Because our operation is small, we’re able to take the time to participate in these fantastic rhythms, looking onward toward next year’s blooms. Seed saving feels like a lost art and science in the world of industrial agriculture. Bioadaptive seeds and heritage varieties tied to a place are the way it used to be, and we're figuring out how it makes sense in our operation because there’s something really special about bringing that back.
Seeds don’t just show up in a packet at the store. The flower and fruit’s job is reproduction, carrying the plant into its next life cycle. It feels surreal and simple all at once to be involved in that process: growing food for this season while also growing the seed for next year, slowly building a history with the food we grow.
Jake never stops learning. He spends so much time listening to seed farmer podcasts, compost podcasts, and whatever else he can get his hands on. It’s amazing how much creativity and information he brings into the farm every day from what he learns. I am so grateful for him.
RESERVE A FLAT OF TOMATOES
This past weekend, we also got some canning done, 52 pints squared away for winter! There’s something so fun and wholesome about preserving the summer bounty and knowing that it will keep you nourished through the colder months.
If you want to reserve some of this summer’s bounty and make a beautiful mess in your kitchen, reply to this email. Get 10 pounds (one flat) of beefsteak and/or Sicilian paste tomatoes for $40. CSA members get $35!
Reserve your flat and pick up at the farmers market on Thursday or at the farmstand on Monday. Limited availability, first come, first served!
THIS WEEK’S BOUNTY
Find us at our farmstand on Mondays from 4-6:30 and take a walk through the garden! Meet us at the Morro Bay Farmers Market on Thursdays 2-4:30!
Summer Crops
Heirloom Tomatoes - bulk orders are $40 for 10 pounds of any combination of our tomatoes
Paste Tomatoes
Lunchbox Tomatoes - miniature slicer tomatoes
Cherry Tomatoes
Zucchini
Persian Cucumbers
Armenian Cucumbers
Lemon Cucumbers
Peppers are trickling in - yummy bells, roasting and sweet peppers
Fresh Edamame!
Greens
Mighty Mix - a nutrient-dense baby greens mix of spinach, kale, chard, and mustards
Endive Frisée
Other
Garlic
Radishes
Ruby Red Chard
Fresh Herbs (also available at the Co-op!)
Tarragon
Genovese Basil
Thai Basil
Tulsi Basil
Sage
Cilantro
Dill
Thyme
& Strawflower Bouquets!
Thank you for all your support!
Your farmers,
Jake & Jesse :)