Spring CSA Week 3 | Waiting + Wagering

10th St. Farm & Market
2 days ago
4 min read

Week 3: April 23rd - 26th

When we talk about four-season farming, people usually zero in on winter as being the most difficult time of year to grow. We’re coaxing green plants to grow in a snow-covered world, after all. But in reality, spring is probably the most challenging season on the farm. In the winter, we work within known constraints and have some control over temperatures in our tunnels and greenhouses. In the spring, as we push out beyond those structures, we’re once again subject to the whims of the weather.

And boy has it been whimsical this spring. The typical roller coaster of Minnesota April has been doing loop-de-loops, oscillating between summer-like heat and frosty cold more than in a typical year. It is certainly keeping us on our toes!

Sometimes, adjusting to the weather means waiting, holding plants in the greenhouse slightly longer than we’d like in order to avoid dangerously low temperatures in the forecast. Other times, it means gambling a bit. Taking measured risks, planting out in fields, and relying on thin blankets called row covers to protect crops from freezing nights.

The past two weeks have been a combination of waiting and wagering. We held off on moving our tunnels to their spring locations ahead of last weekend’s lows to give our greens more protection for another week. And we’ve up-potted crops like Brussels sprouts and cabbage to keep them happy in the greenhouse for another couple of weeks, rather than planting them out in the fields. But not everything can wait, so at the same time we’ve been planting up a storm, filling three different field blocks with baby plants.

So far, so good. Aside from a little frost on a 24-degree night, the plants have been unscathed and growing happily. Those wagers can be anxiety-inducing, but when they lead to the earliest possible salad turnips or carrots or snap peas, it all feels worth it. We’re consistently amazed by the resilience of plants. Recent warm weather has us feeling hopeful that spring is fully here and frost is in the past - but of course we won’t know that for sure until the roller coaster comes to a complete stop.

Have a week of wise wagers,

Chris, Ashley, and the 10th Street Farmers

In Your Share This Week

Chives: A spring allium to add a little zip and color to whatever you're cooking. Store in an airtight bag or container in your fridge.

Flavor Mix microgreens: Mild and tasty, these make an easy salad on their own or can add some color to any other salad. Try them on eggs or sandwiches – or anything, really! Store in an airtight bag or container in your fridge.

Radishes: Beautiful spring radishes have a mild heat and a great crunch. Add to salads or sandwiches for a little extra flavor. Store in an airtight bag or container in your fridge.

Choice:

Spinach: Our overwintered spinach is the sweet gift that keeps giving! Use as a salad base, sautéed as a side dish or bake into a casserole. Store in an airtight bag or container in your fridge.
Persephone Mix salad greens: Our fresh-cut winter blend of lettuce and cold-hardy greens. Store in an airtight bag or container in your fridge.
Baby Kale: This hearty greens mix is the perfect base for a spring salad. Or try it braised or baked in your dish of choice. Store in an airtight bag or container in your fridge.
Arugula: Peppery greens that add zip to a salad. We love arugula dressed simply with oil and salt. Store in an airtight bag or container in your fridge.

Choice:

Arugula microgreens: Peppery micros add a little punch to pizza, salads, pestos, sandwiches, eggs, and more. Store in an airtight bag or container in your fridge.
Power Greens Micro Mix: Our newest micro mix! A nutrient-dense blend of broccoli, kale, daikon, and bekana sure to power up any dish!

Choice:

Pea Shoots: Sweet and crisp, these make a great addition to sandwiches, wraps, salads or can be lightly sautéed as a side dish. Store in an airtight bag or container in your fridge.
Sunflower Shoots: Crunchy and nutty flavor, these are a great substitute for lettuce on sandwiches or wraps. Store in an airtight bag or container in your fridge.

Full Share: Spinach

Full Share Choice:

Cilantro microgreens: Zippy micros to add a little flavor to whatever's on your plate! Store in an airtight bag or container in your fridge.
Nasturtium Flowers: We've been loving these delicate edible flowers in our salads of late! Store in an airtight bag or container in your fridge (but only for a few days).

Kitchen Inspiration

Everyone has radishes this week for the first time, which means it’s my annual reminder that radishes are incredible roasted in the oven - juicy and tasty. If you’re not a radish lover, definitely give them a shot this way. Or, go a more classic route and try them on a slice of bread with good butter, or on top of avocado toast alongside some chopped chives. Consider grabbing pea shoots and arugula (micro or otherwise) and whipping up this tasty sounding salad. Or julienne your radishes and use them to spice up a sandwich, eggs, or nachos. Yum.

If you've found a recipe you're loving, please send it our way. We're always looking for new things to cook and share with other members!

We wash everything in your bag but we wash them in bulk so some things may need an extra rinse at home. Thanks!