Erehwon Farm CSA Newsletter Week 8 of 19  July 31, 2005 Farm Report The Currier News of Elgin wrote a nice article about us that was published on Tuesday and showed a picture of some old, bald man in the field (oops, that was me!) picking lettuce.   Thanks to our subscribers that were willing to talk with the reporter.  If, you want to read the article, here is the link:   http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/business/e26farm.htm The main activities this week revolved around watering, pulling weeds, watering, and working to build up our compost pile.  Robin Migalla, Rebecca LaGesse, Barb Hicks, and Linda McDonald all helped with this effort.  We would welcome more compostable materials from subvscribers, especially something green (Yes, I know there’s a drought and most everything is brown…) Most of the crops are dong well with the exception of cabbage, broccoli, and a few similar crops – don’t exactly know what’s going on with them.  We are still suffering from the effects of the cucumber beetles and although we have replanted cucs several times, our supply is limited.  On Sunday afternoon we spent an enjoyable afternoon at the Sugar Grove Corn Boil listening to the OD TAPO IMI band (led by subscriber Gerald Brill). I tried to jump up and down like he does in the show but it seemed like gravity was much stronger in Sugar Grove so I couldn’t go very high. From Your Garden This Week Standard shares should include: Tomatoes (Sun Gold sweet cherries and Juliet large grapes, Santas, and a few larger ones.   If you get some that are not quite ripe, just leave them on the counter for a day or two.) Lettuce Gourmet fingerling potatoes Eggplant or mini cabbage., or cauliflower Beans: Yellow or purple  (We have a good supply of beans this week so anyone who would like to pick some extra may do so.) Extras:  Pick  3 or 5 for jumbo subscribers Summer squash (You may have all you like – delivery customers should specify the number of pounds) Kohlrabi Carrots Beets Baby beet greens( I’ll thin out our latest planting and give you some super-tender babies for snacking on or putting into your salad) Kale Chard Spinach Peppers (Sweet or Hot) (If you want a large quantity, just specify how many you would like) Cucumbers (maybe) Onions Herb List Basil—regular, lemon, lime, Thai, dark opal (purple with a wonderfully strong flavor)(pesto sized bag available if you ask) Chives, Cilantro, Dill, Lemon Balm, Marjoram, Mint—spearmint, Oregano, Parsley—flat leaf or curled,  Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Winter Savory We Get Mail Hi Tim- I got interviewed from the reporter that you mentioned in your newsletter. I said lots of good things so let's hope when others read the story, they will want to subscribe, too! As far as extras are concerned, if possible, I would like to get squash, carrots, and any extra herbs you can put in there. I just can't get enough of them. Also, I wanted to say that the tomatoes you put in last week were the best I have had since my grandfather grew them. Thanks! Betty S. Betty, thanks for your kind words and. as a matter of fact, we have picked up a couple of new subscribers who read the story.  tf Hello Famous Farmer Tim, I thought about you today in this heat. Glad to see you were inside writing the newsletter. For extras, may we have beets (with greens?) – your beets are so much better than the ones at Whole Foods! And, may we also have kale and chard. Tim, may I purchase some hot peppers and some carrots? If you let me know how much and I will leave the money in the cooler with the veg pulp and coffee grounds. Sorry I missed you last week, I was sick AND we did use organic coffee. Someone gave me some Starbucks and well, free is free. Thank you again!!! Oh, I love it when you say our produce is better than that at Whole Foods.  Next time when you leave money in the cooler would you not put it in with the coffee grounds and veggie pulp – it was already composting when I got it! ;-)  And famous is right.  I’ll have you know I put out for sale an autographed squash (limited edition) on Wednesday and the second subscriber that showed up bought it!  I may put some more on EBAY (keywords: erehwon squash).  tf