Spring is roaring in
Blue Gate Farm's March newsletter. Fresh from our farm to you!
What’s up on the farm?
Precipitation in the past month- Rain:1.65” Snow: 2.00”
Is anyone else in the Midwest starting to feel the effects of weather whiplash? Two days ago we were 81° then a wicked windstorm and a bit of rain rushed through and yesterday we were at 40° with 30 mph winds. Looks like the forecast is calling for the 70’s for the next couple of days and then snow. We are in the midst of Fool’s Spring for sure!
As spring is a time of change, we decided it was time to embrace the season and make a few other transitions. The most obvious is our move to Substack from our longtime newsletter home. This is now the place to find fresh news from the farm. We’d love it if you’d subscribe here for some extra farm content (it’s free)!
We’ll also continue to email out the link for the monthly newsletter if you prefer that option. Regardless, it will remain a free subscription going forward.
We are deep into seed-starting season and our grow room is starting to look like an east coast commuter train. Luckily I was able to move about a dozen flats out to the high tunnel this week for transplanting which opened up space for the thirty flats I sowed this weekend. Yep, I know, the math there is sketchy at best, but that’s how we roll this time of the year. As soon as I figure out how to fold time and space (and seedling flats) it will all be so much easier. Origami farming is the future!
Several weeks ago we hosted our annual farmer friends retreat at the farm. Our dear friends from Genuine Faux Farm and Scattergood Friends School Farm came and spent the weekend talking farming, eating, enjoying some outside time, eating and helping me clear spent crops. Seriously, the truest friends will help you bull through chores that feel too daunting to begin alone. If you find friends like this, feed them well! Once we got the beds were cleared and our friends returned to their own farms, I was able to prep the soil in the beds for new crops. This past week I transplanted about 950 baby plants from the grow room and direct sowed seeds for the baby greens crops. Now they have all had a nice drink of water and are tucked in under their big white blankets until they acclimate to their new digs. Here’s wishing them sweet dreams and quick growth!
So what will we do with all those crops, plus the many more to come?
VegEmail
Since this past fall our VegEmail sales have been strong. Thank you so much to all our customers who have braved the weather and other logistical challenges throughout the season to support the farm. It’s your dedication that keeps us going strong all winter long! The next VegEmail is Tuesday, March 25 so keep an eye out for the order form at 5pm on Wednesday 3/19. VegEmail deliveries continue every two weeks until May. Here's the schedule for the remaining Tuesday deliveries (the order forms will go out 6 days before each delivery):
On May 3, we will return to our summer schedule of weekly Saturday deliveries. If you aren't receiving the VegEmail order form and you would like to, just fill out the form here: Get VegEmail!
BGF Bounty Boxes!
Time is running out for our 2025 Bounty Box (CSA) season. 85% of our memberships have been claimed so if you are planning to join us for the upcoming season, now’s the time! You can get the details on our website here: www.bluegatefarmfresh.com
If you have already decided and are ready to sign up, click here: 2025 Bounty Box Sign Up .
Members who have already signed up, your balance payment is due on April 30. We’ll start sending invoices on April 1, however we are happy to accept payment at anytime before then. Any questions in the meantime, be sure to let us know!
Blue Gate BLOOMS
Did you know we also offer bouquet subscriptions? Reservations for our BLOOMS subscriptions is happening now and more than half of our available spots have been claimed for the 2025 season. Do you want three months of beautiful, local, sustainably-grown bouquets designed especially for you by our farm manager, Danielle? You can get all the details and sign up here: Blue Gate BLOOMS
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:
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)