Sad to See the Frost Come

Our second season is coming to a close.  It took a lot of hands, dirt, and dirty hands to make this year possible.  Each week we were able to take no less than four full grocery sacks to our neighborhood food pantry.  When the bounty was most plentiful we were able to take up to 10 bags of fresh tomatoes, greens, herbs, onions, peppers, and more.

The vision for she Shared Harvest Project will remain the same for the 2012 season: To get fresh, nutritious food to those most in need.  Obesity and disease prevention starts with taking care of our bodies.  Taking care of our bodies starts with what we put on our tables and in our mouths every day.  Growing produce for urban food pantries is a cost-effective, earth sustainable way to start that prophylactic process.

Our hope is to continue on our farm-to-table path while teaching, growing, sweating, and laughing together along the way.  New ideas and additions to next year's project will be forthcoming.  Until then we're going to try to keep our lettuce alive until the New Year. 












Here's a roughly estimated re-cap of our bounty for 2011 (Reminder: all on one city lot):

• Rainbow Chard: 40 plants; growing season early May - late November

• Collards: 35-50 plants; growing season 1: early May - late October, growing season 2: mid August - late November
• Kale: 10 plants; growing season early May - late November
• Mustard: 5 plants; growing season early May - late November

• Black Seeded Lettuce: 30 plants;  growing season 1: early May - late October, growing season 2: mid August - late November (This stuff was DELICIOUS and grew like crazy.  A must-try for next season.  Check out the seeds at Habig's.)

• Red Leaf Lettuce: 30 plants;  growing season 1: early May - late October, growing season 2: mid August - late November 
• Turnips: 60-80 turnips;  growing season 1: early May - late October, growing season 2: mid August - late November 
• Radish: 60-80 radish; growing season 1: early May - late October, growing season 2: mid August - late November 

• Red and White Onion: 60-80 onions; growing season: early May - early September

• Tomatoes: 20 plants, variety, hundreds of tomatoes: growing season late May - mid October

• Green and Red Bell Pepper: 6 plants; growing season late May - mid October

• Cubanelle Peppers: 5 plants; growing season late May - mid October (these have a great yield and flavor)

• Salsa Pepper: 3 plants;  growing season late May - mid October (AWESOME pepper - also from Habig's).
• Jalapeno Peppers: 5 plants;  growing season late May - mid October

• Habanero Peppers: 2 plants; growing season late May - mid November (I'm STILL picking habanero's!)
• Chile Peppers: 3 plants, variety; growing season late May - mid October

• Carrots: 30-50 carrots;  growing season 1: early May - late October, growing season 2: mid August - late November (The key to a good carrot season is patience...don't pull them too quick!)
• Eggplant: 8 plants; growing season late May - late October

• Sweet potatoes: all of these got to the pantry before I could take count.  Must have been in high demand!
• Green and Purple Pole Beans: too many to count.

• Nugget hops: Sadly neglected this year.  Hope to get some more varieties in next year and find a local brewer who wants some :-)

• Lots and lots of sunflowers. 

• Herbs: Oregano, basil, rosemary, dill, cilantro, parsley, tarragon, chives
• Last but not least: Spring Bulbs.

Thanks to all who helped this year! 

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