CSA

CSA = Community Supported Agriculture

I was introduced to this concept last summer when friends of mine had me pick up (and eat!) their veggie share while they were away on vacation. Very appealing, particularly for a person like me who hates gardening.

My friends' CSA didn't have room for new members (a pity, since they're but a short drive from home), but my next-door neighbor Samantha has been doing a lot of research, and we're going in together on a full share to another CSA. This one appeals to both of us because, along with a wide variety of vegetables, it also includes an unlimited share of berries. Mmmm, can you say fresh berry ice cream?

I still may plant containers of assorted peppers and plum tomatoes on the southerly facing front patio, but those are freezer-friendly and easy to grow. However, they will need to wait until mid-May-ish when I can be reasonably sure that the thermal mass of the house will shelter the containers from a killing frost.

Comments

[elan]

Thanks for the reminder I need to sign up for this in the next month or so, with three kids the community farm had entirely fallen off my radar.

[Nanette]

Unlimited berries? You lucky duck! We're always begging for more in my CSA. It is year-round and includes regional farms so we always get a great variety. They even deliver to your door!

http://www.localharvest.org is a good web site to find CSAs and organic farms around the US.

[Charleen]

Ours has unlimited berries too, although you have to pick them yourself. Takes me a long time though - one for the box, one for me!