Lots of activity on the farm this week…

Thank you Josie and Emma!

We had to say goodbye to our two German friends Josie and Emma. They worked so hard, always smiling. They even spent the morning of their departure helping us plant zucchini.

What is being planted?

Fifty Zucchini plants went in last week with fifty more to go this week. Four hundred cabbages and broccoli got planted, these are for a mid-summer harvest, our earlier plants are already two-feet tall. Tunnel 4 is now full of slicing cucumbers, an easy task thanks to our regular Thursday volunteers. Lots of new seedlings got started to keep the succession planting going: 300 Swiss chard, 150 summer lettuces, and 50 more zucchini!

Our next big push will be the planting of all our winter squash in about another week. We hope to have some extra hands for that task. Patty will post a request for help with a date when we look at the weather closer to the plant date. If interested in getting in on the fun, please email Patty.

What was harvested and donated this week?

Six boxes of lettuces and Swiss chard went to six pantries in Cumberland and Sagadahoc counties thanks to the Merrymeeting Gleaners. Judy, our Androscoggin Gleaner, delivers to Woodside Senior Housing in Lisbon and Lisbon Senior Village on Mondays. She calls ahead to find out how much can be utilized, picks and delivers. She told me the recipients are so happy to be getting fresh greens. She is a one-woman team right now, thank so much Judy.

Rain (we like it!) and an irrigation update

The continuous rain has not really held us back. In fact, it has helped us from spending time watering and the moisture has encouraged the germination of our root crops. A big shout out to John, his permaculture practices and his goals of getting the plots to drain perfectly have allowed us to keep planting in all this moisture. John has a big area of irrigation set up ready to go. That put a big smile on his face!

Visitors

We had the pleasure of having a visit from the Forest Playgroup. Goats were enjoyed by all. Everyone took home a cucumber plant, they seemed pleased.
That wraps it up for this week!

Theda Lyden, Growing to Give’s Co-Founder and Farm Manager

As farm manager, Theda plans and oversees all growing and harvesting activities. A long-time resident of Greene, she is a Master Gardener and ceramic artist. Previously, Theda operated her own farmers market business, Dig it Farm, selling certified organic herbs, flowers, and perennials at the Portland Farmers Market. She also worked many years as the executive chef at the award-winning Harraseeket Inn in Freeport, Maine. As a chef, Theda was instrumental in building partnerships with local farmers and growers, with an emphasis on organic and all-natural local food. For fun and relaxation, Theda is an avid sea kayaker and alpine skier.