Week 22 of 26: Still no frost in sight

Main Season CSA Pick-up Schedule

Wednesday -Clagett Farm, 3:00-6:00 p.m.
Thursday
- Annapolis, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Saturday
- Clagett Farm, 1:00-4:00p.m.


This Week’s Share

Garlic
Butternut Squash
Onions
Ginger | Cucumber
Bok Choi | Lettuce
Chard | Kale | Collard
Radishes
Turnips | Kohlrabi
Tomatoes


Farm Updates

Only four weeks remain in the season and still no frost in the forecast just yet. Though it has been wet, last week we managed to catch a dry window and pull up a good number of sweet potatoes to start their next stage in the curing room.

Here they will develop that sweet flavor we all love and naturally seal the small breaks from where they grew underground. Once another dry stretch arrives we will move on to harvesting the next batch.

In the meantime we have been clearing tomato fields and pulling posts to prepare for another round of cover crops. The goal is to establish as much ground cover as possible before winter. The more time these plants have to develop roots the better they will hold onto that soil we value so much.

Cover crops remain one of our strongest tools for soil health. They help prevent erosion, suppress weeds, break disease and pest cycles, and add biomass to feed the fields that feed us. By giving back to the land we help it retain the nutrients that nourish our food.

And this season our soils truly delivered, producing over 70,000 pounds of vegetables.

Once the sweet potatoes are cured and the final fields prepped our focus will shift toward planting for the Winter CSA. The first wave of crops is already going into our three unheated high tunnels so they can size up before daylight hours shorten too much.

While winter slows growth it also enhances flavor. A winter carrot or even a small bunch of herbs has a sweetness that is unmatched by spring or fall crops.

If you have never experienced winter grown food, it is truly a treat and one we highly recommend.


U-pick

Updated weekly

U-picking Hours: Monday - Saturday 9:00-6:00 p.m.
Closed Sundays
Please note you can drive around the gates if closed by continuing straight towards the Residence and then turning left at the corner of the fence to head back towards the 3 large barns

Pepper Field in (D2)
This is the same field as those larger tomatoes that were on u-pick found in front of the 3 barns
Poblanos & Sweet Frying peppers
Larger flower field (F)
Right in front of the CSA in the large fence by parking lot
Zinnias front 2 rows
Sunflowers 3 rows further back- only walk in the sunflower rows to not step on the plants growing beside them. Please do not pick from these neighboring crops. These were used not just as cut flowers, they also came in handy to draw more pollinators to crops nearby.

Chilis (F)
Just below the cherry tomatoes
The varieties that have ripened are listed below; there will be a couple more later season varieties that are still to come. The only peppers that are generally picked green are the Jalapeno’s and Serrano’s which both will also ripen to red.

Herb and Flower Field (G2)
Found behind the large parking area by the CSA pick-up with no fence
Please use the aisles and not walk over the beds
Far right of the field
Italian Basil
Dill
Cilantro

Far left
Thai Basil (Dark purple flowers & stems)

Cleland Herb Garden
Located alongside the Clagett CSA pick-up location
Lemongrass (The tall nice smelling grass in the last oval herb bed)
Basil
Dill
Cilantro
Mint (along the back of the garden)
Lemon Basil ( found in the middle flower bed)
Any Flowers: zinnia, brown eyed Susan’s, butterfly bush, salvia and more


More from the Farm

In the spring and fall, tree planting is in season, as it gives the tree the best opportunity to take root and thrive. So many of our trees from the native tree nursery on farm will be moving on to their new forever homes!!

With this task we are welcoming volunteers to join CBF for a tree planting on a historic farm in Knoxville, Maryland along Israel Creek. Our goal will be to plant hundreds of trees to provide a forested buffer on former hay fields, promoting wildlife habitat and improving water quality near the C&O Canal.

We will hold two plantings; the first will take place on Thursday, October 30th from 10am - 2pm, and the second will be on Saturday, November 1st from 9am - 1pm. We will provide shovels, gloves, a portable toilet, water refills and a chance to get outside and take part in exciting restoration work. This is also a great opportunity for any students who may need service hours!

Address and further details will be provided to attendees in an email once they register.

Join us year-round!

8 Weeks of share’s
December - March
Will include seasonal winter grown produce, many crops you will see are also grown in our Spring and Fall season but will have a hint of sweetness only the frost brings.
Act fast December will be here before you know it!

Bulk Beef and Lamb pre-ordering is open
Great way to save on quality cuts (options from 25lbs to 100lbs, or half or whole portions)

Farm Store

Walk-ins during pick-up are welcome
Pre-orders can be delivered to Annapolis with your CSA share


-The Clagett Crew
Please let us know if you have any questions by emailing us at Clagettfarm@cbf.org, or checking in with staff at pick-up!

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CBF offers many cool opportunities to take part in our watershed from here at the farm and our many other programs, see what’s happening on the CBF event calendar.