May 1, 2017 Veggie Box News

Box Contents

1 bu Asparagus

½ lb Arugula

1 bu Carrots

2 hds Batavian Crisp Lettuce

1 bu Red Spring Onions

1 bu Tokyo Turnips

1 bu Green Chard

Field Notes: It’s the peak of spring with summer just around the corner. This week we might see temperatures as high as 90 degrees. For the farm, this means increasing the irrigation sets to keep the crops hydrated. This is the time of year when we focus on laying drip line for the summer crops. In the spring, most of the farm’s crops are irrigated with aluminum pipe overhead sprinklers. As it warms up, we switch to drip line for the tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant to reduce water evaporation and to reduce the weed germination.

Capay Valley Mother’s Day Garden Tour  Sunday May 14, 2017 in gardens throughout the beautiful Capay Valley

The self-guided tour features over 7 different gardens and points of interest along the way. The valley is home to an array of gardeners and farmers — from a 2-acre homesteading garden to a 20-acre floral production field. Seven gardens will be on display sprinkled throughout the valley towns of Esparto, Capay, Brooks, Guinda and Rumsey. Along with the gardens, there are other points of interest, including the new Seka Hills Olive Mill and wine tasting rooms, the Capay Valley Vineyards tasting room and the historic Guinda Corner Store built in 1891 featuring many local farm products.

The garden tour costs $10 per person, children under 14 are free. You may bring your own picnic to enjoy under a tree at one of the gardens, or buy a local lunch box, available for $10 each at the Guinda Grange Hall. All proceeds from the annual tour benefit community enhancement projects in the valley. This year’s proceeds will support the renovation of the Western Yolo Grange Hall, a community-gathering place for over 75 years. Visit www.thecapayvalleygardentour.com to purchase tickets online or call 530-796-3464 for more information.

Spring Hams: There are a few hams left to order for delivery to your CSA drop site or to the farmer’s markets in Berkeley on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday and Sacramento Farmer’s Market on Sundays. The weight range is 3-7 lbs per ham. The price is $10 per lb. The Riverdog Farm hams are smoked and cured (pre-cooked) at Roundman’s in Ft. Bragg. They are delivered frozen to your CSA delivery site or to the one of the farmer’s markets in Berkeley. Glaze the top with orange marmalade, place in a casserole dish in 2-4 cups of orange juice and cover loosely with foil to hold in the moisture. Stick a few cloves in the ham before heating for added spice.