This Week's Share: Tomatoes, Squash and More!

CSA member Monette shot this photo of butterflies at the farm. Thanks Monette! And don't forget to send us your photos or post them to Instagram with the hashtag #ClagettFarm! 

Happy 16th Week of the CSA season, everyone!  

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REMINDERS 

Burgers and Brews: Buy a Ticket Or Volunteer! Burgers and Brews, hosted by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, is coming up at Clagett Farm, Sunday, September 25, 12 to 4pm. There are two ways for you to attend:

• Buy a Ticket! Tickets are now on sale - go to the ticket page to find all the information about the event, including ticket prices and entertainment. 
  
  
• Volunteer! We are looking for volunteers to help with a variety of tasks, including registration, set-up, clean-up, and helping make root beer floats. Our goal is to get enough volunteers so that we can have four shifts (9am to 12pm, 11am to 2pm, 2pm to 5pm, 4pm to 7pm).  Anyone who signs up to volunteer will then get to enjoy the event free of charge either before or after their shift.  We just ask that volunteers not consume alcohol during your volunteer shift.  But don’t worry, we will be making it fun for volunteers and will make sure you can enjoy the event before or after your shift! Please e-mail dtana@cbf.org if you can volunteer.  If you absolutely can only do one shift over another, please include that in the email.

How much do YOU pollute? Use the Footprint Calculator and Find Out!  The Chesapeake Bay Foundation has partnered with the University of Virginia to create the Bay Footprint Calculator: a simple, fun tool that will help you and your family find new ways to reduce pollution and help Save the Bay. Find out how well you're doing to prevent harmful pollution from getting into our waters. Fill out the calculator now and get your score!

Send us your photos! Each week, we aim to feature a CSA member's photo in our updates. It can be a photo you snap of the vegetables you receive, a photo of a dish you make with the share (like the one below), or photos from a visit to the farm. There are two ways to get them to us: email us your own photos or post them to Instagram with hashtag #ClagettFarm. We'll feature them here!

 

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: SQUASH BUTTER

Kathleen shared this recipe for Squash Butter, which she highly recommends for some of the larger squash. According to Kathleen, "You simply shred the squash or zucchini and cook it down into a thick jam. It makes a nice sandwich spread or topping for crackers, etc." Get the recipe here!  

 

THIS WEEK'S SHARE

• 1 head garlic
• 6 1/4 pounds total combination tomatoes + squash 
• 1 3/4 pounds total combination peppers+ potatoes
• 1 1/2 pound total combination radish + corn + cucumbers + chiles + okra + some misc. items in smaller quantities  

 

 

WHAT'S ON U-PICK:

• Tomatoes*
• Chiles
• Ground cherries* -- still a ton of these!  The fruits fall to the ground when they are ripe.  Select the ones with brown, dry husks.  Inside, the fruit should be orange-yellow.  These are also known as golden berries, physalis, cape gooseberry and husk cherry.
• Tomatillos*
• Okra*†
• Chard
• Cucumbers*
• Herbs (Parsley, sorrel, sage, chives, tarragon, oregano, thyme, mint, lavender, various kinds of basil, savory, leaf celery, anise hyssop, and more.) 
• Flowers There are lots! Come help yourself!

• *The Sun Gold tomatoes, cucumbers, tomatillos, ground cherries and okra are in a field surrounded by an electric fence.  We must leave the fence on to keep the deer out.  If you can't shimmy in without touching the fence, step on it.  The electric current will not pass through the soles of your shoes. 

• †We pick okra on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, so you'll find the most if you harvest on Tuesdays and Fridays.  Be careful not to confuse the flower buds (inedible) with the small okra pods (delicious).  If you are an inexperienced picker, we recommend using pruners so you don't accidentally snap off the top of the plant.  We also recommend wearing gloves, long sleeves and long plants because the foliage can irritate your skin.

That's week 16! Let us know if you have any questions!

~ The Clagett Farm Team

 

 

This Week's Share: Corn, Squash, Tomatoes and More

CSA member Becca picked this beautiful bouquet at the farm. Find out about what else is on u-pick in today's update! And don't forget to send us your photos or post them to Instagram with the hashtag #ClagettFarm!

 

Happy 15th Week of the CSA season, everyone!  

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REMINDERS 

Save the Date: Burgers and Brews is Sunday, September 25th. Last year the Chesapeake Bay Foundation hosted this fun, ticketed event at the farm. More details to come, but mark your calendars!

Send us your photos! Each week, we aim to feature a CSA member's photo in our updates. It can be a photo you snap of the vegetables you receive, a photo of a dish you make with the share (like the one below), or photos from a visit to the farm. There are two ways to get them to us: email us your own photos or post them to Instagram with hashtag #ClagettFarm. We'll feature them here!
 

THIS WEEK'S SHARE

• 1 head garlic
• 9 pounds total combination corn+ squash
• 3 pounds total combination tomatoes + potatoes
• 3/4 pound total combination okra + peppers + chiles

Note: We've been trying to balance the corn distribution between the Wednesday pickup and the Saturday pickup, so that every member ultimately gets the same amount of corn. Last week, the Saturday shares had more corn in them; this week, the Wednesday shares do. For those of you picking up on Saturday this week, your breakdown will look different from this list.

 

 

Weekly Tip: PIG WEED

CSA Member Billy sent in this photo of Pigweed that he picked at the farm and has kept alive in his living room. As Billy writes, "It's very nutritious and loaded with beneficial nutrients such as iron, potassium, calcium,  fibre, sodium, vitamin C and protein." It's edible, can be cooked, and you can pick it at the farm. You can learn more here. 

 

WHAT'S ON U-PICK:

• Tomatoes*
• Chiles
• Ground cherries* -- still a ton of these!  The fruits fall to the ground when they are ripe.  Select the ones with brown, dry husks.  Inside, the fruit should be orange-yellow.  These are also known as golden berries, physalis, cape gooseberry and husk cherry.
• Tomatillos*
• Okra*†
• Chard
• Cucumbers*
• Herbs (Parsley, sorrel, sage, chives, tarragon, oregano, thyme, mint, lavender, various kinds of basil, savory, leaf celery, anise hyssop, and more.) 
• Flowers There are lots! Come help yourself!

• *The Sun Gold tomatoes, cucumbers, tomatillos, ground cherries and okra are in a field surrounded by an electric fence.  We must leave the fence on to keep the deer out.  If you can't shimmy in without touching the fence, step on it.  The electric current will not pass through the soles of your shoes. 

 

• †We pick okra on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, so you'll find the most if you harvest on Tuesdays and Fridays.  Be careful not to confuse the flower buds (inedible) with the small okra pods (delicious).  If you are an inexperienced picker, we recommend using pruners so you don't accidentally snap off the top of the plant.  We also recommend wearing gloves, long sleeves and long plants because the foliage can irritate your skin.

 

That's week 15! Let us know if you have any questions!

~ The Clagett Farm Team

This Week's Share: + Tomatoes on U-Pick

CSA member Bonnie's daughter picked these beautiful flowers at the farm. Find out about what else is on u-pick in today's update! And don't forget to send us your photos or post them to Instagram with the hashtag #ClagettFarm!

 

Happy 14th Week of the CSA season, everyone!  

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REMINDERS 

Canning Classes:  One class had to be postponed to August 28th, 2-5pm, and we have some open slots for that class.  

• Where:  In Susan's kitchen near Dupont Circle in DC.  We'll give you more details when you sign up. 
• Sign up by sending an email to Susan with your preferred date.  Classes are limited to 6 participants each. 
• What You'll Learn: The basics about canning tomatoes, making jams, relishes and how to deal with high acid foods. 
• Cost:  Susan only charges a $5 fee for supplies, which includes some photocopies and a jar of something you've made.  Keep in mind that no one is licensed, insured, or paid for this activity. Susan offers this class to you because many of our members have asked over the years, and she is willing to do it.  Thank you Susan! 

Save the Date: Burgers and Brews is Sunday, September 25th. Last year the Chesapeake Bay Foundation hosted this fun, ticketed event at the farm. More details to come, but mark your calendars!

Send us your photos! Each week, we aim to feature a CSA member's photo in our updates. It can be a photo you snap of the vegetables you receive, a photo of a dish you make with the share (like the one below), or photos from a visit to the farm. There are two ways to get them to us: email us your own photos or post them to Instagram with hashtag #ClagettFarm. We'll feature them here!
 

THIS WEEK'S SHARE

• 1 head garlic
• 1/2 pound total combination eggplant + peppers + okra
• 7 1/2 pounds total combination tomatoes + squash + melons
• 1 pound total combination potatoes + cucumbers + chiles

 

WEEKLY TIP: HOW TO TELL IF A TOMATO IS RIPE

There's been some confusion about what the tomatoes are supposed to look like when ripe. Here's a couple examples of ripe, non-red tomatoes. Note that the Paul Robeson (like many of the big heirlooms) keeps its green shoulders even when ripe.

 

WHAT'S ON U-PICK:

• Tomatoes! 
  
  

• SunGold Tomatoes!  We have too much other stuff to pick, so can't afford to pick these for the share anymore. But there are gobs of them in the field! Best tomato in the world!  Hint for u-pickers: walk to the middle of the row where there are the most ripe ones.
   

   

   
   
• Ground Cherries (pictured above)! We have ten gazillion ground cherries littering the ground right now, totally ripe and delicious. Easy to u-pick. Fun for kids.
   
   
• Herbs (Parsley, sorrel, sage, chives, tarragon, oregano, thyme, mint, lavender, various kinds of basil, savory, leaf celery, anise hyssop, and more.)  The BASIL has been especially great this summer, but it won't be forever.  If you're planning to freeze some pesto, do it NOW.  
• Flowers There are lots! Come help yourself!
• The following are in a field surrounded by an electric fence.  We must leave the fence on to keep the deer out.  If you can't shimmy in without touching the fence, step on it.  The electric current will not pass through the soles of your shoes. 
  • New this week! Sun gold tomatoes!  These are the sweetest tomatoes ever.  Please note that the other tomatoes in this field are NOT on the u-pick list yet.
  • Cucumbers! 
  • Tomatillos:  Look for fruits with dried, papery husks.  The fruits should be large enough to split open the husk.
  • Okra:  We pick okra on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, so you'll find the most if you harvest on Tuesdays and Fridays.  Be careful not to confuse the flower buds (inedible) with the small okra pods (delicious).  If you are an inexperienced picker, we recommend using pruners so you don't accidentally snap off the top of the plant.  We also recommend wearing gloves, long sleeves and long plants because the foliage can irritate your skin.
  • Ground cherries:   The fruits fall to the ground when they are ripe.  Select the ones with brown, dry husks.  Inside, the fruit should be orange-yellow.  These are also known as golden berries, physalis, cape gooseberry and husk cherry.

That's week 14! Let us know if you have any questions!

~ The Clagett Farm Team

This Week's Share: Melons, Tomatoes and more!

CSA member Suzanne snapped this photo of an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail on a tiger lily (so many tigers!) at the farm a couple weeks ago. Thanks for sending it, Suzanne! Send us your photos or post them to Instagram with the hashtag #ClagettFarm!

Happy 13th Week of the CSA season, everyone!  This is the half-way week of the harvest season, and it's a good one.  

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REMINDERS 

Canning Classes:  One class had to be postponed to August 28th, 2-5pm, and we have some open slots for that class.  

• Where:  In Susan's kitchen near Dupont Circle in DC.  We'll give you more details when you sign up. 
• Sign up by sending an email to Susan with your preferred date.  Classes are limited to 6 participants each. 
• What You'll Learn: The basics about canning tomatoes, making jams, relishes and how to deal with high acid foods. 
• Cost:  Susan only charges a $5 fee for supplies, which includes some photocopies and a jar of something you've made.  Keep in mind that no one is licensed, insured, or paid for this activity. Susan offers this class to you because many of our members have asked over the years, and she is willing to do it.  Thank you Susan! 

Save the Date: Burgers and Brews is Sunday, September 25th. Last year the Chesapeake Bay Foundation hosted this fun, ticketed event at the farm. More details to come, but mark your calendars!

Send us your photos! Each week, we aim to feature a CSA member's photo in our updates. It can be a photo you snap of the vegetables you receive, a photo of a dish you make with the share (like the one below), or photos from a visit to the farm. There are two ways to get them to us: email us your own photos or post them to Instagram with hashtag #ClagettFarm. We'll feature them here!
 

THIS WEEK'S SHARE

• We're doing it a little different this week because the melons are widely varying in size.  Your share is 10 pounds total.  You should choose your items and make sure all the items listed below (including melons and tomatoes) add up to a combined total of 10 pounds.  
  • Cucumbers
  • Squash 
  • Peppers
  • Chiles
  • Okra
  • Melon (1 fruit maximum)
  • Tomatoes (3 pounds maximum)
  • Garlic (1 bulb maximum)

WHAT'S ON U-PICK:

• Herbs (Parsley, sorrel, sage, chives, tarragon, oregano, thyme, mint, lavender, various kinds of basil, savory, leaf celery, anise hyssop, and more.)  The BASILhas been especially great this summer, but it won't be forever.  If you're planning to freeze some pesto, do it NOW.  
• Flowers There are lots! Come help yourself!
• The following are in a field surrounded by an electric fence.  We must leave the fence on to keep the deer out.  If you can't shimmy in without touching the fence, step on it.  The electric current will not pass through the soles of your shoes. 
  • New this week! Sun gold tomatoes!  These are the sweetest tomatoes ever.  Please note that the other tomatoes in this field are NOT on the u-pick list yet.
  • Cucumbers! 
  • Tomatillos:  Look for fruits with dried, papery husks.  The fruits should be large enough to split open the husk.
  • Okra:  We pick okra on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, so you'll find the most if you harvest on Tuesdays and Fridays.  Be careful not to confuse the flower buds (inedible) with the small okra pods (delicious).  If you are an inexperienced picker, we recommend using pruners so you don't accidentally snap off the top of the plant.  We also recommend wearing gloves, long sleeves and long plants because the foliage can irritate your skin.
  • Ground cherries:   The fruits fall to the ground when they are ripe.  Select the ones with brown, dry husks.  Inside, the fruit should be orange-yellow.  These are also known as golden berries, physalis, cape gooseberry and husk cherry.

 

That's week 13! Let us know if you have any questions!

~ The Clagett Farm Team

This Week's Share: Week 12

This photo of pickles-in-process comes from paxmac, who has been putting away some of those delicious cucumbers from the farm. Send us your photos or post them to Instagram with the hashtag #ClagettFarm!

Happy 12th Week of the CSA season, everyone!

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REMINDERS 

Save the Date: Burgers and Brews is Sunday, September 25th. Last year the Chesapeake Bay Foundation hosted this fun, ticketed event at the farm. More details to come, but mark your calendars!

Send us your photos! Each week, we aim to feature a CSA member's photo in our updates. It can be a photo you snap of the vegetables you receive, a photo of a dish you make with the share (like the one below), or photos from a visit to the farm. There are two ways to get them to us: email us your own photos or post them to Instagram with hashtag #ClagettFarm. We'll feature them here!
 

THIS WEEK'S SHARE

• 1 head of garlic
   
• 1 pint sun gold tomatoes (voted best tomato by a landslide in our tomato taste test a few years ago)  
   
• 5.5 pounds total combination: squash + cucumbers
   
• 1.25 pounds total combination: tomatoes + peppers + eggplant 
   
• 1 pound total combination: potatoes + okra + chiles + tomatillos

WHAT'S ON U-PICK:

• Herbs (Parsley, sorrel, sage, chives, tarragon, dill, oregano, thyme, mint, lavender, various kinds of basil, savory, cutting celery/leaf celery, anise hyssop, and more.)
   
• Flowers There are lots! Come help yourself!
   
• New this week!  Each of these items requires a little know-how to pick them.  If you haven't picked them before, consider looking on-line for photos and a little guidance.  Also, they are in a field surrounded by an electric fence.  We must leave the fence on to keep the deer out.  If you can't shimmy in without touching the fence, step on it.  The electric current will not pass through the soles of your shoes. 
  • Tomatillos:  Look for fruits with dried, papery husks.  The fruits should be large enough to split open the husk.
  • Okra:  We pick okra on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, so you'll find the most if you harvest on Tuesdays and Fridays.  Be careful not to confuse the flower buds (inedible) with the small okra pods (delicious).  If you are an inexperienced picker, we recommend using pruners so you don't accidentally snap off the top of the plant.  We also recommend wearing gloves, long sleeves and long plants because the foliage can irritate your skin.
  • Ground cherries:   The fruits fall to the ground when they are ripe.  Select the ones with brown, dry husks.  Inside, the fruit should be orange-yellow.  These are also known as golden berries, physalis, cape gooseberry and husk cherry.

 

That's week 12! Let us know if you have any questions!

~ The Clagett Farm Team