Baby watermelons in the field have really benefited from this week's rain.
1) In Your Box this Week
2) Farm News
- Notes from our Twenty Acres – TOMATOES NEXT WEEK!!
- Important Notice about Box Price Increase
- Outstanding in the Field at JBG
- Log into your JBG CSA Membership Online
- Open Plate in the Garden
- Spring Speaker Series
- Austin Organic Gardeners
- Travis County Master Gardeners Association
4) Quotable Food
5) Recipes
-
Cucumber Lemonade (Agua de Pepino)
6 Vegetable Storage Tips
7) Johnson’s Backyard Garden Contact Information
Please send newsletter feedback, suggestions and contributions to farm@jbgorganic.com
We’re on Facebook! We’re also on MySpace, be our friend!
Our onion harvest is 25% done. Come join us this Saturday or Wednesday from 8-1 to help finish the job. We will trade a box of veggies in exchange. To confirm please email us farm@jbgorganic.com.
1) In Your Box this Week:
2008 Zapotec Heirloom Tomatoes
2) Farm News:
- Notes from our Twenty Acres – TOMATOES NEXT WEEK!!
- Importance Notice about Box Price Increase
At Johnson’s Backyard Garden (JBG), we are constantly looking for ways to improve. Over the past few months, we’ve made several major changes to the farm. These include: new irrigation wells, new greenhouse construction, new permanent produce boxes (arriving in mid-June), new farming equipment, and increased pay for employees and interns
First and foremost, the above will increase the overall quality, quantity and diversity of our produce. Also, these new developments will increase our water security, will allow us to grow all of our own transplants, and will provide cleaner and cooler ways to box produce for member pickup. We have been struggling with how to cover the added costs of these improvements and have decided we need to raise our box prices. The price increase is effective immediately for new members and for renewing members prices will change on June 1, 2009. A four-box membership will cost $32/box and a ten-box membership will cost $30/box. At $32 per box, JBG is still below the average weekly CSA cost for the Austin area.
We regret having to make this increase but want to do all we can to ensure the farm’s continued success, both now and well into the future. If you have any questions about this increase or about any of the on-going improvements we have made, please email us at farm@jbgorganic.com or call us at 512-386-5273. We are striving to make our CSA the best it can be and thank you for your support.
- Outstanding in the Field
Keep your fall calendar open for this event! Outstanding in the Field will be hosting an elegant meal at JBG’s on September 29 at 3pm in the pecan orchard. There are several seats left and will likely sell out. Local chef Jesse Griffiths will be preparing a farm-style five course meal. Get registered for this event before it’s too late!
- Log into your JBG CSA Membership Online
The onions were under cut to release their roots from the ground, then the leaves were trimmed. The final step in harvesting is to pull the onions from the ground and cut off the roots with scissors. These onions were waiting for Wednesday's harvest and transport to the barn where they will cure and then place in storage.
- Open Plate in the Garden
To RSVP email openplate@austinfoodbank.org, or call me at 684-2529.
- Spring Speaker Series
Varying times on select days through May 30. Check Web site for schedule. 10 a.m. today: Mixing It Up With Dave: Container Patio Gardening at its Best! With Dave Mix, Pacific Home and Garden. Free. The Great Outdoors Garden Center Nursery, 2730 S. Congress Avenue. www.gonursery.com
- Austin Organic Gardeners
The Austin Organic Gardeners meet the second Monday of every month at Zilker Botanical Garden. www.austinorganicgardeners.org Meetings start at 7 p.m.
- Travis County Master Gardeners Association
The Travis County Master Gardeners Association holds it’s monthly meetings on the first Wednesday of each month. www.tcmastergardeners.org Meetings starts at 7 p.m.
A harvest lane lines the black plastic mulched rows just waiting to be planted with cucumbers, melons, and squash.
4) Quotable Food:
“How we eat determines, to a considerable extent, how the world is used.” -Wendell Berry
5) Recipes:
Cucumber Lemonade (Agua de Pepino)
1 cucumber, peeled and cubed
1 lemon
5 c water
Sugar to taste
Add cucumber and water to a blender and puree. Strain. Add juice of lemon and sugar to taste. Serve over ice.
We aim to grow and package our vegetables to maintain the highest taste and nutritional quality possible. However, once they’ve left the farm it’s up to you to keep them fresh and nutritious. There’s no refrigeration at the CSA drop points so it’s best to pick up your box as early as possible. Here are some additional tips on how to store this week’s share:
Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Scallions, and Summer Squash will last 4-7 days in plastic bags in the crisper.
It is best to store the Onions at 40 to 45 degrees F. Don’t whole store onions in the refrigerator because the moisture is bad for them. Don’t store potatoes near onions. The onions will absorb moisture from the potatoes.
Checkout our storage tips on our website for a more complete guide, and of course, feel free to contact us with any questions. The National Center for Home Food Preservation is your guide for how to can, freeze, dry, pickle or ferment just about anything.
7) Johnson’s Backyard Garden Contact Info:
Johnson’s Backyard Garden
9515 Hergotz Lane, Box E
Austin, TX 78742
Office Phone: 512.386.5273
Office Hours: M-F 8am to 12:30pm
e-mail: farm@jbgorganic.com
Onion blossom
Thank you for the cucumber lemonade recipe — sounds very refreshing! And that onion blossom photo is amazing..reminds me of Agapanthus.
after our house building is finish i was thinking of the right furniture to put in our outdoor garden, while surfing in the net, i decided to put patio swings, it helps you to relax after a busy day in the work.