Recipe Contributions Please

We are sad to announce that Natasha Lloyd is no longer able to contribute recipes and information for Zoe's Garden.  Thanks, Tasha, for all your hard work over the years - and we wish you the best in your new endeavors!
As the season is about to begin, I think the best thing to do next is embrace the spirit of community that is the heart of our CSA program and all share recipes with each other through posting comments on the blog and Facebook.  I'm sure there are folks out there who are raw-foodies, vegetarians, vegans, traditional-foodies, and more I can't think of.  It would be fun to get contributions from everyone.  So please, as you discover great new recipes or favorite old ones, post them in comments for all to read.
And whenever you can, post recipes as soon as we post what will be in the shares, so folks have time to plan and use the items they're getting that week.
Thanks everyone for your participation!

Member Blog - Great Story about Farm Day

Check out these fantastic photos and story by member Helena Corrales about the last Farm Day.  And remember there is another one coming up this Saturday in case you missed the last one.

Start Date Information

The cold weather has slowed growth a bit, so we've decided to start the season on June 8th.  Please stay tuned for more detailed information about drop locations and times.  Here are the items David expects you'll see in the first share: Watercress, Lettuce, Young Garlic, Leeks, Spring Onion, Collard or Kale Greens, Mustard Greens, Radish, Cilantro, Tarragon, Garlic Chives, Onion Chives, Thyme, Oregano, Mint, Parsley and possibly Salad Mix, Parsnips, Swiss Chard, Kohlrabi and Asparagus (depending on what the weather does).

Organic Certification in Process

We're pleased to announce that the 1 acre organic certification is in process.  The soil test has been sent to the state.  Not sure how long the whole process will take, but we'll keep you posted.

Farm Update

Watermelon, honeydew, cantelope, zucchini and cucumbers are all in.  Tomatoes are already ping-pong size.  Herbs that will be ready the first week or two should be cilantro, tarragon, chives & mint. Also ready should be watercress, garlic greens, young onions, lettuce, spinach, leeks & mustard greens.  We'll get a full list from David next week and let the members help decide if we should start the season on June 1st, or wait a week 'til June 8th.  We'll have more info next Wednesday - and make a new blog post.

Another Member Planting/Farm Tour Day: May 29th

Thanks to all who participated on the planting day (May 15th).  David gave a nice farm tour, and then everyone had a chance to dig in the dirt : )  Sorry about the confusion with the 22nd.  The reschedule to the 15th didn't filter through to Facebook like I thought it would.  So for those who missed it, we're giving members another opportunity on Saturday May 29th, starting at 10:30, going through lunch (that David will provide).  Email Alissa: zoe@zoegarden.com if you'd like to attend.  Address is 1700 N Fort Lane, Layton, UT 84041.

Thanks to member Marianne Madsen for the photos:

Wheeler Farms May Day Festival (Sat May 22nd)

Zoe's Garden will be participating in the Wheeler Farms May Day Festival Saturday May 22nd from 10am - 3pm.  This is a huge event with entertainment and lots of activities for the kids.  Take a look at the link for more info.

Planting/Member Day at Zoe's Garden

Please join us for a planting and member day this Saturday May 15th.  Arrive at 9am to take a tour of the farm and help plant.  Then stay for lunch that David will be offering.  David always has given away goodies to the members that show up too.  RSVP to zoe@zoegarden.com.  (If we have significant rain on the 15th, it will be rescheduled for the 29th).  Also, if you'd like to participate, but can't arrive by 9am, just include that in your email.  Thanks!

Subscription Deadline Extended: need tractor fixed

We've extended our subscription deadline, but only offer 3 payment options instead of 6.  We need a few more memberships to get one of our tractors fixed, so please tell your friends about Zoe's Garden.  New memberships allow us to increase the value of your share too.

Farm Updates

Berries and Peaches are looking promising.  Parsnips are 10-12" tall. Garlic is looking great. Corn, Carrots and Cauliflower are some of the new plantings. Weekly repeat planting continues on broccoli, greens, lettuces, etc. David is waiting for the weather to warm to plant summer and winter squash, melons, peppers, eggplant and tomatoes.  It should happen in the next week or so.

Drop Off Expansion

Wheeler Farms mentioned that they were interested in hosting a drop-off.  So if there is enough interest (20+ members) in that area, we could add a drop-off.  Post a comment if you're interested or know folks who might be.

David also mentioned that he would be willing to add drop-offs for under 20 members to locations that are easy to get to right off the freeway (along I-15 or I-80) and on the way to other drop locations.

Organic Certification

David recently attended a meeting held by the SLC Downtown Alliance about organic certification.  Although our farming practices comply, certification is cost and time prohibitive, especially when our goal is to keep cost down for members.  It's especially difficult for a farm like ours where we grow such a huge variety.  To keep paperwork on 500-600 different items would be a huge nightmare.  So we're thinking at this stage that the best compromise is to certify about an acre in the center of our farm.  To quality, all the land on the farm around the certified acre would have to be organic, which it is.  But by only certifying the 1 acre and a few varieties, we can manage the paperwork and the cost.  So that is our current plan.

Farm Updates

Garlic, shallots, onions & leeks are over a foot tall.  Peas are 6" tall.  Potatoes are planted. Fruit trees are pruned. Greens, lettuce & broccoli are all doing well. Asparagus is starting to pop up.  Anyone who wants to help plant will get some of the first pickings before the season starts.  We'll need help planting tomatoes and peppers in a week or two.  Email zoe@zoegarden.com if you're interested.  Of course, farming always has its hurdles too: two broken-down tractors and we could use a little more rain.  But other than that, the planting season is starting off great.