Summer at Gardenworks means fields are planted and berries are ripening! Spring was a great season with a colorful world of annuals (mostly Proven Winners) and perennials for local gardens. We think there are more vegetable gardens than ever this season as the demand for transplants was strong and most conversations revolved around favorite tomato choices and how to seed lettuce. What a great way to eat locally!

Arlene and Bridget are keeping the marketplace stocked with all good Oscar’s meats, cheeses as well as cheese spreads. The shelves are brimming with tempting jams, salsas, pasta sauces and mustards. We have a great array of grill sauces and fresh vegetables for summer meals.

Rob has the cheese cooler filled with cheddars, mild to sharp, Sweet Spring Farm chevres and White Lily along with great choices from Consider Bardwell, Taylor Farm and Old Chatham.

The field work has gone well with a strong team including Grace, Biz and Jose to plant the 4,000 squashes and pumpkins. Now we are double checking the irrigation and chasing weeds.

The blueberries are swelling and it looks like a great crop. Even though we pruned hard, the bushes are loaded with huge clusters of berries. The raspberries are growing well with the warm temperatures and we are always talking about berries for smoothies, desserts and jams.

The calendar of summer Farm to Table Theater Dinners is exciting with Annette Nielsen, former caterer & cookbook editor, travelling from D.C. to be the featured chef on Saturday, July 12. Her menu is amazing and it will be the time for corn, summer squash and early tomatoes and of course, blueberries! There will be farm to table theater dinners on August 2 and 16 also.

Our fingernails are ragged and our jeans always look “farmy” but we are excited about a great summer season ahead! We invite you to join us on the farm for berry season. Tour the Farm Life Art Exhibition which features the work of 8 local artists and artisans in Harold’s Barn Loft. Come to the farm!