CSA Farms
I LOVE the concept of CSA farms - Over the last 20 years, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer. Here are the basics: a farmer offers a certain number of "shares" to the public. Typically the share consists of a box of vegetables, but other farm products may be included. Interested consumers purchase a share (aka a "membership" or a "subscription") and in return receive a box (bag, basket) of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season!
It's like going to the farmer's market every week but you don't have to decide what to purchase, the amazing variety is already there for you and it's all fresh, organic stuff!
We have been doing this for a few years - and Sarah had a fun time going to the farm for our pickups, but this year, I am not going to spend the $60 a month to do it. We will still eat farm fresh yumminess as I had done a great job of prepping/freezing the abundance from last summer. I have everything from sliced/diced onions to brussel sprouts in my chest freezer - even veggies already prepped to make a big batch of pasties!
Last year we made over 30 jars of jam (and still have a bunch!) -- taking advantage of everything from strawberries to our mulberries, even the fresh cherries from my Mom's tree so we really don't need to do a berry pick this year...that was pretty much the last thing from the farm.
There are a few fresh things we DO want this year...tomatoes (Sarah eats them like apples!) and green beans. We put the seed starters together this week so we can transplant to outdoor pots when the weather finally allows. (this IS after all, Wisconsin, LOL)
I remember my Mom's canned green beans from when I was a child and hope our plants will be prolific...I have a giant canner with plenty of empty jars just waiting to be used!
I also remember reading about the "three sisters". The Indians used to plant three different seeds in one hole : corn, climber beans and squash. The Corn grows straight, the beans climb the corn and the squash spreads around to keep the weeds down. We are going to plant three "three sisters" in my front flower garden. Three *IS* the magic number in this house, as Sarah is three, LOL!
OK -- here is the savings. My CSA was $44 a month for nine months. That is easy math AND another $396 that I am not spending...instead I bought a few seed packets for $.50 and a $1 bag of potting soil...for a grand total of $4. We have a fun experiment planned (Three sisters) and will have (hopefully) an abundance of what we really like in this house.
Money saved $392!
Until next time -- what can YOU do to save this summer over what you did last summer?
It's like going to the farmer's market every week but you don't have to decide what to purchase, the amazing variety is already there for you and it's all fresh, organic stuff!
We have been doing this for a few years - and Sarah had a fun time going to the farm for our pickups, but this year, I am not going to spend the $60 a month to do it. We will still eat farm fresh yumminess as I had done a great job of prepping/freezing the abundance from last summer. I have everything from sliced/diced onions to brussel sprouts in my chest freezer - even veggies already prepped to make a big batch of pasties!
Last year we made over 30 jars of jam (and still have a bunch!) -- taking advantage of everything from strawberries to our mulberries, even the fresh cherries from my Mom's tree so we really don't need to do a berry pick this year...that was pretty much the last thing from the farm.
There are a few fresh things we DO want this year...tomatoes (Sarah eats them like apples!) and green beans. We put the seed starters together this week so we can transplant to outdoor pots when the weather finally allows. (this IS after all, Wisconsin, LOL)
I remember my Mom's canned green beans from when I was a child and hope our plants will be prolific...I have a giant canner with plenty of empty jars just waiting to be used!
I also remember reading about the "three sisters". The Indians used to plant three different seeds in one hole : corn, climber beans and squash. The Corn grows straight, the beans climb the corn and the squash spreads around to keep the weeds down. We are going to plant three "three sisters" in my front flower garden. Three *IS* the magic number in this house, as Sarah is three, LOL!
OK -- here is the savings. My CSA was $44 a month for nine months. That is easy math AND another $396 that I am not spending...instead I bought a few seed packets for $.50 and a $1 bag of potting soil...for a grand total of $4. We have a fun experiment planned (Three sisters) and will have (hopefully) an abundance of what we really like in this house.
Money saved $392!
Until next time -- what can YOU do to save this summer over what you did last summer?
Corn needs more corn to pollinate. you can't just put up one or two plants. I was always told you need a few rows so the corn can sway and pollinate. Just a though. container gardening is fun. i have grown cucumbers, beans, peas, tomatoes. a good idea also is to get some inexpensive 5 gallon buckets and drill a hole in the bottom and plant your tomatoes upside down (cheaper than the topsy turvy grower.
ReplyDeleteWe've looked into CSA share each summer, but couldn't justify the cost either. Last year, we started a small garden and it turned out fabulous! It was an amazing experience for both me and the kiddos. We have already drawn out our plans for the new garden at our new house - and we've planted all our seeds inside already. :)
ReplyDeleteLeah - I wasn't looking to eat the corn, just use it as climber poles
ReplyDelete:)
3 plants would hardly feed 3 people, LOL! ( you should see my husband eat!)
We had ONE tomato plant last year - got it from a nursery and had to pitch it as it got that tomato blight that was going around
:(
NOT eat the corn. i wish i had space i love fresh from the garden sweet corn. planning a raised planting bed this year. just need to think of how to get the wood and the dirt home cuz go figure we have and SUV but no room to put wood in it. What is the point?
ReplyDeleteI'm a new follower...I'm going back to the beginning reading forward! :-) Love the tips to this point and know I will love the rest.
ReplyDelete