Westfield Area CSA Blog

Circle Brook Farm

Farm News – August 3, 2020

Hi Folks, Batten down the hatches! We’re going to have a blow! For the second time this season we are counting on a tropical storm to bring us some rain. I am reminded of the lyrics of a Michael Franti song- “…when rain didn’t have to mean a hurricane”. We just hope it does not come too hard, too fast, and that the winds do not do much damage. At least you will not have to read my complaints about how dry it is for a while! (more…)

Grilled Eggplant, Tomatoes, and Goat Cheese

Grilled Eggplant, Tomatoes, and Goat Cheese

From the Williams-Sonoma website, here is an easy and delicious way to prepare eggplant.  Inspired by lasagna, this fresh dish takes advantage of summer’s ripe heirloom tomatoes and abundant eggplant. Cooked on the grill, it makes a great accompaniment to burgers and grilled meats at a summer cookout, but, served with herbed couscous or polenta, it also makes a great vegetarian meal.  Serves 4 (1 eggplant per person).
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Circle Brook Farm

Farm News – July 27, 2020

Hello everyone, we received about 6/10 of an inch of precipitation this past week from 2 light overnight rains.  It seems Mother Nature is doling out the moisture with an eye dropper!  These light rains help a little, especially when they occur at night and have a chance to seep in.  We really need a good soaking rain, and our best chance for the week is tomorrow – 50%. (more…)

Circle Brook Farm

Farm News – July 20, 2020

Hi Folks, I guess I do not need to tell you how hot and humid it is!  It’s July in New Jersey!  We are once again waiting and hoping that some summer thunderstorms bring us some much-needed rain.  In the meantime, we are moving the sprinklers around and laying out old drip tape to trickle some water on a few crops and help the germination of recently seeded plantings. (more…)

Circle Brook Farm

Farm News – July 13, 2020

Hi Everyone, we received 3½ inches of rain on Friday from Tropical storm Fay.  It is a lot of water in a short time, but fortunately it fell at a steady rate here on the farm and was not accompanied by heavy winds.  The ground was very dry after a month with almost no rain, and it soaked it up easily.  We are now able to get back to planting and caring for the tomatoes and other crops without the added burden of moving sprinklers around. (more…)

Pasta with Broccoli and Garlic

Pasta with Broccoli and Garlic

This southern Italian dish works great as a side dish or vegetarian main entrée.  You can double or half the recipe if we receive more or less broccoli in any given week.  Recipe adapted from Joy of Cooking.

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Circle Brook Farm

Farm News – July 6, 2020

Hello Folks, So we still have not received any rain.  The 90% chance of precipitation we had on Friday did not happen.  The storms moved to the north of the farm, and we got only a brief dust storm.  The storms that we thought we might get Monday afternoon also passed around the farm.  We are working hard to keep everything growing and newly planted crops germinating.  I have purchased more sprinklers, and we are reusing old drip tape to trickle water onto seed beds and crops on bars ground.  We will be mulching certain crops with straw to retain the soil moisture.  (more…)