Above photo: by Toni YoungbloodThis picture shows a typical yield every three-four days from my tomato garden last summer. That's an artichoke gone to seed from my garden on the right side of the basket. This year, for several reasons, I've decided not to plant a veggie garden. Instead, I'm going to join a CSA. I've considered doing this in the past and this year I'm going to try it. I'm joining Borski Farms CSA which will deliver weekly to an address just blocks from my home. I have purchased one share, which is described as "a small mount (approximately 1 lb. per item) of 3-5 different items per week. One share is good for two adults." My hope is to be introduced to a few new produce items which I may enjoy cooking and perhaps planting in a future garden of my own, as well as shaking up my routine veggie choices at the markets. The season lasts for 15 weeks and the weekly cost averages out to about $13.
The picture below illustrates one of the tasks I have ahead of me in my own garden this year. I don't want to use toxic weed killers in my yard and will be working on more natural methods to get things back in order. I will also be augmenting the soil with the compost I've created over the last year or so. 
In the meantime, I'll be experimenting with the CSA and learning exactly what types of produce are our local Utah seasonal wonders!
If you have seen the film, Food, Inc., you will have serious concerns about the effects that mass-produced food processes have on our health. For a quick and facinating history and description of CSA from Wikipedia click here.
Several months ago, I watched the quirky but ultimately satisfying film, The Real Dirt on Farmer John, which documents the resurrection of a family farm through its conversion to a CSA model. Got me thinking about CSA's again. ;o)
Hi Toni,
ReplyDeleteI think the CSA is a great idea. This winter Poopsie and I purchased the lot to the west of our house and thought we'd put in a big garden this spring. We wanted to do a chicken coop, bees, the whole nine yards. Sadly, the reality of that task is just too daunting. We are just too busy! For now I'll have to just shop the Farmer's Market for produce.
Kelly
Second Hand Chicks
That's the curse and the blessing of gardening...all those goodies ripen at the same time. Fortunatly, we live in the country and have access to enough produce that I only grow salad, a couple tomatoe plants, lettuce and a cucumber. All this talk is making me hungry for for warm, juicy ripe tomatoes!
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