It’s been an amazing reprieve for my family camping this week. Farmers don’t get a great deal of time off, especially when the weather is nice. We spent the past week at Presqu’ile Provincial Park in Brighton, Ontario. We had an amazing time with the family, saw many barred owls and ducks, got to learn about turtles and how to protect them and handle snakes. (I spared you all the pictures of that evening). We learned amazing things like that snapping turtles won’t snap you in the water (because they have no natural predators in there and feel confident as apex predator there), and that to help a turtle safely cross the road, you should take note of the direction they are headed in and gently move them about a metre from the road in their direction of choice. Don’t put them in the spot where you think they should be (like a nice pond). They are likely a mama turtle finding a nesting sight, which they need a sandy area on land for. If you are trying to move a snapping turtle, use a stick to attract them to snap at in the direction they are going, or gently nudge them onto a car mat and drag them or use a snow shovel. Do keep your hands away as they get the name “snapping turtle” for a reason. All 8 species of turtles in Ontario are species at risk, and we greatly need them to keep our waterways clear.
Family photo at the lighthouse, minus the photographer (me)
One of many barred owl sightings!
Ducks at Presquile. Photo cred to my son Tytus!
Back at the farm, the fields enjoyed some good rains. Tomatoes are going strong, with whole shares getting grape, cherry and field tomatoes. Everyone is getting green kale this week. Have you tried kale chips? Bob, our friend that attends the Georgina and East Gwillimbury markets for us, made up some kale chips that had my eldest child determined to make more! They make a healthy, simple, salty snack that is surprisingly craveworthy.
Recipes
This Kale Chip Recipe from Oh She Glows will help you make the perfect batch of kale chips. Get the All Dressed Kale Chips recipe here.
Fennely, we have some fennel for you. (You’ll have to forgive me- I have a weakness for veggie puns). Fennel has a nice crunch much like celery, but with an interesting licorice-like taste. You can roast your fennel or try it in salad like this Fennel, Lemon & Mint Salad.
Half Shares Week 13
Here is what to Expect in your Farm Shares this Week:
Simply 6
- green kale
- red leaf lettuce
- bunch of broccoli
- pint of grape tomatoes
- cucumbers
- bunch of beets
Half
- green kale
- red leaf lettuce
- bunch of broccoli
- pint of grape tomatoes
- cucumbers
- bunch of beets
- pint of orange cherry tomatoes
- zucchini
- bunch of onions
- pint of sugar snap or snow peas
Whole
- green kale
- red leaf lettuce
- bunch of broccoli
- pint of grape tomatoes
- cucumbers
- bunch of beets
- pint of orange cherry tomatoes
- zucchini
- bunch of onions
- pint of sugar snap or snow peas
- fennel bulb
- bunch of mint
- chinese cabbage
- green peppers
- 2nd lettuce
- field tomatoes
Fruit
More Canadian fruit is here!
- 5 organic apples (Chile granny smith or BC sunrise)
- BC organic apricots
- 4 BC organic peaches
- 1/2 pint organic blueberries
- 5 organic oranges
Here’s Hoping that Your Week is Full of the Beauty of Nature!