What’s up on the farm?
Precipitation in the past month- Rain: 5.33”
The theme this week? RAIN.
We were ready for a good soaker, and we got it—plus a little extra! Honestly, the weather’s been relatively kind to us this season (knock on wood). We’ve had enough moisture—along with timely irrigation—for the crops to come on nicely, and enough dry stretches to keep up with cultivation. So really, we can’t complain… but after this wet spell, it’s time to double down on the weed control.
And speaking of the weather (because what else do farmers talk about?), we’ve been working through some real scorchers. Mid-90s with high humidity isn’t ideal for working outdoors, but with enough water, shade, and popsicle breaks, our farm crew is powering through. To lighten the mood, farm manager, Danielle launched a Crazy Hat Contest this week. The prize? The winner gets to choose who gets sprayed with the hose.
Want to help decide the outcome? Leave a comment below with the number of your favorite hat!
🌿 Crop Shift Ahead
With the summer heat comes a shift in the fields. We’re moving from tender spring greens toward deeper-flavored crops like garlic, fennel, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, and beets. While the tomatoes and peppers aren’t quite ready to harvest, they still need some regular TLC. The big task last week? Tomato pruning.
We’ve got more than 800 tomato plants this season, and pruning them is a process: You start with a bushy, lush green plant… and end up with something that looks more like a grapevine. It’s always a little alarming at the beginning! But this careful pruning helps improve airflow, reduce disease, and set us up for a much healthier crop down the line. With the full crew and a few good playlists, we got the whole patch done in just one afternoon!
🌼 Pollinators, Please!
Sometimes we take on projects just because they feel like the right thing to do. About 18 months ago, we took one of our growing beds—roughly 1,400 square feet—out of production and sowed it with native plants to help support our local pollinators.
It’s a long game. Many native perennials take more than a year to establish. Last year, in the middle of the drought, I worried we had a bust on our hands. But this summer? Those hardy plants are thriving, and the field is alive with butterflies, moths, beetles, bees, and other buzzing beauties.
Sure, we’re hoping they’ll help pollinate our vegetables and fruit trees (win-win), but more than that, we want the farm to be a good place—a refuge for people, plants, and pollinators alike.
Here are a few fun facts we love about pollinators:
🐝About 35% of the world's food crops are dependent on animal pollinators (USDA).
🌼 A summer squash flower needs 6–10 pollinator visits to be fully pollinated.
🦋 Some butterflies taste with their feet, which helps them find the right plants to lay eggs on (and helps pollinate flowers in the process!).
Have a favorite pollinator or pollinator plant? Hit reply or leave a comment—we’d love to hear!
🥕 Want to eat like a farmers market insider?
If you’re a Central Iowan looking for year-round, farm-fresh, chemical-free food without the crowds, guesswork, or farmers market chaos, our VegEmail program is for you.
Every week, we send you an order form with what’s fresh, and you pick exactly what you want.
✅ No subscriptions
✅ No commitment
✅ Just good food, from people you trust
Pick-up is easy—Saturday mornings in downtown Des Moines, Knoxville, or right here on the farm. Plus, Des Moines customers can also grab Ebersole Cattle Co meats and eggs, Lost Lake Farm LLC cheeses, and CottageScapes Bakery goodies—all from one pick-up point.
Sign up at www.bluegatefarmfresh.com and let the good food find you.
Thank you for being a valued member of the Blue Gate Farm community. Your support sustains our commitment to providing fresh, local, chemical-free products and our passion for stewardship of the land.
Is a monthly newsletter not enough for you? Follow us:
Website: www.bluegatefarmfresh.com
Facebook: Blue Gate Farm
Instagram at bluegatefarmfresh.
Bounty Box members can also connect with other BGF members to share recipes or ask questions on our FB community page at Blue Gate Farm Community.
That's about it for now. If you have any questions or comments, be sure to let us know.
Best from the farm,
Jill & Sean (and the whole BGF crew)
Who is the huge, lovely butterfly?
#2!!