The Age of Asparagus!
Blue Gate Farm's April Newsletter. Fresh from our farm to you!
What’s up on the farm?
Precipitation in the past month- Rain: 2.35”
This is 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 continue to email out the link for the monthly newsletter if you prefer that option, though you may miss out on some posts in between. Regardless, it will remain a free subscription going forward.
April is a crazy time on a vegetable farm! We are running in twelve directions trying to be on top of all the things that need to happen. We are harvesting the last of the winter crops, prepping fields, sowing seeds, transplanting early crops, caring for baby plants, planting potatoes, delivering VegEmail orders, cultivating and trying to keep up with all the associated office work (of which there is an annoying amount!) If you want to torture a farmer, make them do office work on a beautiful April day!
Things are looking remarkably good on the farm right now. The pastures are green and lush and the air is filled with the scent of blooming trees, buzzing bees and the calls of returning birds. Our rains have come at just the right time and in a satisfying amount. This is huge after starting the past few seasons in drought conditions.
The asparagus harvest has begun, as you might have guessed from the photo above. So far we’ve brought in about 150 pounds in the first week of harvesting. We are on schedule for seeding and transplanting crops in the nursery, high tunnels and in the field. Our farm crew has started to return for limited hours until they finish school and winter jobs (and we are SO excited to have them back!!)
In a two week period we transplanted more than 6,000 alliums (onion family), 3200 row feet of potatoes, 1100 row feet of broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage and 2256 row feet of lettuces and early greens. There are also thousands of row feet of seeds tucked into the fields that are starting to germinate. And this is just the beginning!
In a post earlier this month, we announced that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the farm — but that's not the only milestone we're celebrating this season. May kicks off the start of the 10th season on the farm crew for our manager, Danielle!
"Dan" joined the farm crew in 2016 as a bright-eyed and willing worker. It didn’t take long for her to shine. After a few seasons, she stepped into the role of Crew Chief and began honing her incredible flower design skills. Over the past several years, she has taken on even greater leadership as our farm manager and bouquet designer.
Her creativity, artistic eye, and natural talent with flowers have been the heart and soul of our bouquet program. Paired with her hard-working, get-’er-done attitude, delightful sense of humor, and rock-solid dependability, Dan has become an absolutely irreplaceable part of the farm team.
I truly can't imagine running the farm without her. Happy 10th season, Dan — we hope you know just how much you are appreciated!
and speaking of our bouquet program…
Blue Gate BLOOMS
Are you ready for a mood boost? Blue Gate BLOOMS subscriptions are still open, but hurry - only 6 spots left! Starting in June, you’ll receive one-of-a-kind bouquets every other week (or every week, if you double up) at our Saturday VegEmail pick-up.
These aren’t just pretty posies—they’re mood-boosting miracles! Studies show that fresh flowers trigger genuine smiles and uplifts your spirits for days afterward, while living with blooms can meaningfully reduce daily stress. Six bouquets over three months equals near-constant color and calm in your home.
Danielle selects each stem to spark joy and positive energy—from the way the petals catch the light to the fragrance that fills a room. We grow sustainably (no synthetic pesticides or fertilizers) so you can feel good about every vase. Let us bring a little more peace, beauty, and farm-fresh connection into your life! More info and order here: Blue Gate BLOOMS
VegEmail
Do you want...
High quality, chemical-free produce, harvested fresh for you?
Year-round farmers market products without the fuss, crowds and uncertainty?
Custom ordering the farm-fresh products you want most in amounts you choose?
We've got you covered! On May 3, VegEmail returns to our summer schedule of weekly Saturday deliveries in Des Moines, Knoxville and on farm. 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!
Our 2025 Bounty Box (CSA) season is SOLD OUT! Thank you to all our 2025 members!
Bounty Box members, your balance payment is due on April 30. You should have received an invoice earlier this month. If not, or if you have any questions, be sure to let us know!
If you want to get on our waiting list in case a spot opens up click here: 2025 Bounty Box Sign Up . You can also get more details on our website here: www.bluegatefarmfresh.com
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)
Thanks for reading Beyond the Blue Gate! Subscribe for free to receive fresh updates from the farm.
Congrats on 20 years! And congrats to Danielle on 10 years!!