Happy Solstice!

Happy Solstice! The darkest night of the year has come and gone... and the days will oh so slowly become longer and longer and seeding the first of the 2017 crops is only a few weeks away (mmm hmmm, I'm talking about you alliums). 

We need to set aside time in the coming weeks, with coffee... a lot of coffee, to reflect on the season and prepare for the coming year. Order seeds, meet with accounts, launch the 2017 CSA signup, etc... Only after we spend the holidays with family of course and enjoy a few ski days. Come on SNOW!

We have set several plans and goals for 2017... and to help streamline and simplify things, Mike and I are combining forces this year and will be running Mountain Roots Produce together. We have created a new website that will be updated regularly with photos and weekly blog posts. You can also stay in touch by signing up for our monthly newsletter. Check it out Mountain Roots Produce

Thank you everyone for supporting Early Bird Gardens over the years... I have learned so much from our wonderful CSA Members, the lovely market customers we used to see weekly at the Ridgway Farmer's Market as well as the chefs we sell to in Telluride. We look forward to growing high quality vegetables for you all for many years to come!

Happy Holidays! xoxo

Fall CSA Harvest - Week #10

Good morning,

Today marks the final Fall CSA pick up of 2016! Wahoo! I just scanned through photos of the season and am amazed at how much we accomplished this year. I have never worked so hard in my life... but something about all that hard work, harvesting such beautiful produce, and seeing your wonderful faces every week has me oh so excited for next season. The first seeds will be planted in mid to late January... which is right around the corner?!

I must say, I nervous going into the Spring... nervous about farming in this new spot and about farming with my partner. There are so many unknowns and challenges that come with growing in a new location... but I think we can say 2016 was a success! In so many ways. 

I learned so much from Mike this year... and am excited to be growing with him on this beautiful piece of land. We are obviously ready for the slow down that winter will bring, but also ready to plan for 2017. We're planning several improvements for the farm next year... I'm purchasing a tractor and a set of forks so it can help us with the heavy lifting! My back was not to happy with me this Fall and made me realize I can only ask my body to do so much... so more tractor power here we come. We're designing and planning to build a new wash/pack house as well as a few small hoophouses so we have more covered space for growing hot crops in the summer and extending the season in the Fall. 

A new website is in the works... stay tuned. We'll let you know as soon as it's up and running! 

THANK YOU for supporting us and our farm this season! And for supporting local agriculture. I hope you enjoyed the produce this year. I hope our CSA kept you and your family nourished and inspired in the kitchen! I am excited to continue to grow the CSA Community and hope you will join us again next year! 

Fall CSA Harvest - Week #10:
Salad greens
Baby Kale
Spicy Mustard Mix
Carrots
Beets
Parsnips
Rutabagas
Potatoes
Onions
Garlic
Hubbard Squash

I look forward to seeing you all later today! 

Fall CSA Harvest - Week #9

Good morning, 

We are settling into late Fall here. The nights continue to grow longer and colder and it feels wonderful to have snow on the ground. I always become anxious as the days and weeks in the Fall go by with warm temps and no snow... but it always comes. 

We woke up to a Winter Wonderland here last week, with a foot of fresh snow on the ground. We were not expecting it and there are definitely a few hoses and tools that are now hidden. Whoops. Reminder to self -- do not procrastinate. Wrap up those hoses and put all the tools away :). 

I'm happy to report the greens in the high tunnel are handling the cold nights just fine. We pull the row cover off during the day for the greens to enjoy the sunshine and for the soil to warm up. And then late afternoon we cover them back up before the temps begin to drop. We have baby kale, salad greens and a spicy mustard mix for your shares this week!

We are wearing more layers and adjusting to the colder temps that December brings and finding the few hours on the sunny days when we can harvest and wash produce for your CSA Shares. 

The winter solstice is only two and half weeks away and we only have 1 Fall CSA Harvest left for the 2016 season! Wow. Winter here we come... I'm ready and excited for the slower days and some down time. To dream and plan and build... 


Fall CSA Harvest - Week #9:
Baby Kale
Salad Greens
Spicy Mustard Mix
Purple Carrots
Beets
Rutabaga
Pink Potatoes
Onions
Garlic
Hubbard Squash

Have a beautiful day!