Newsletter July 2022
Fennel salads, how to grow your carrots in pots, and a new fundraiser on the horizon...
Good Morning, Growers!
Well it seems like Summer is still trying to catch us out on the Peninsula this year, but we couldn't be more ready for when it does! We loved seeing so many faces at the Farmers Market over the last few weeks. If you found us there, thanks for stopping by.
As we continue to grow, we are looking for volunteer help in nearly every garden. We are continually planting, harvesting, weeding, and watering. As we even begin to prep for the winter growing season, we need your help! We have gardens that meet nearly every day of the week, so if you have been thinking of getting your hands dirty for a good cause - now is the time! We are also looking for a couple Garden Managers for the next growing season. Whether you are ready to dive in or not, the rest of the Summer would be an excellent time to begin volunteering and learn the ropes before deciding if it is the right role for you!
Plans for our Grow-A-Row fundraiser on Aug 20th are firming up! If you have anything you can start or divide for the sale, contact Barbara at barbaratusting97@gmail.com. Winter vegetable crops (kale, onions, sprouting broccoli, winter cabbages, etc) are being spotlighted with this sale, but ornamental and house plants are also welcome. We want to use this as an educational opportunity for our community to consider 'growing a row' for our food banks this winter, avoiding the deficit of food bank produce we saw last season. Location will be Birchyville Food Bank Garden, time tba.
I hope you are checking out the website, as it is a fabulous place for sharing stories, ideas, plans, recipes, and news! If you ever have a blog post you would like to contribute, please contact foodbankgrowers@gmail.com
- Sophie
NEEDED IN ALL GARDENS:
Working garden tools of any type are needed for several of our eleven working gardens. We are most in need of:
- Pruners/clippers
- Hand tools
- Digging forks
- Garden gloves - medium & large
- Gift certificates to local garden centers (soil amendments, seeds, supplies, equipment)
We can pick up. Please contact Barbara at barbaratusting97@gmail.com. Thank you for all of your support!!
July Volunteer Opportunities:
Birchyville - Earn Your Eggs!
M, W, F - 10-12
With chickens and ducks at the Birchyville Food Bank Garden there are opportunities to work in the gardens and get to know the animals. You can even earn a dozen eggs when you volunteer!
Brian's Garden:
Friday - July 22 & 29 - 9-11AM
Grapevine pruning as well as weeding and mulching the garden perimeter.
Join the Jefferson County Seed Library for Seed Packing Parties!
Help pack seeds into packets for Seed Library Patrons. It will be a fun experience and good way to network with other seed savers.
Jefferson County Library, Port Hadlock - Humphry Room
Dates: July 18 & August 15
Time: 1:30-2:30pm
No need to RSVP. If you have any questions, please contact madomost@gmail.com
Fennel Summer Salad
Fennel isn't for everyone, but as a simple side, this is my go-to summer dish. It pairs well with a honey mustard salmon, harissa chicken, or BBQ kabobs.
- 2 fennel bulbs
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh mint, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup parmesan (optional)
- Sesame seeds or Gomasio to taste
- In a small bowl mix together olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Shave or chop fennel until almost translucent. Toss fennel along with fresh mint, parmesan cheese and prepared lemon salad dressing.
July Gardening Tips
- Harvest those garlic scapes! You want to get to them while they are still curly. Instead of cutting them, try pulling them up from the stalk. This will give you more of the tender bit.
- Keep seeding your carrots. July 1 is also known as "Carrot Day." If you just don't have any space for more seeds, try directly seeding them into large pots. This video will speak to a few options, but pots of all sizes work to protect your orange veggies from pests and rusts.
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