Week 2 Share-Thundering Full Moon

As of Friday we entered into caterpillar eruption mode and I wonder what triggers this cycle-rain, underlying current in timing-when were the eggs laid? Nymphalis milberti is clustering up on the nettles and the unidentified two hungry ones from the greenhouse have a new home on the deck. Their previous existence in the greenhouse endive was not satisfying their cravings as much as the broccoli starts and as much as I didn't mind sharing bitter endive-broccoli starts have to much delicious potential. so, we're awaiting metamorphosis and hope to witness the transformation. They have a happy new home in potted endive and the remnants of a woody basil plant.

In parts of the garden we have nettles, nettles and more nettles sprouting up. When one casually allows it to seed and then composts it thinking the heat will anniliate any hopes of germination-the abundance can be profuse but strangely beneficial when you get past avoiding the sting. The good part is it's vigor extends into the surrounding root structures of nearby plants thereby increasing their growth and yield.
Serving as a native butterfly attractant the caterpillars exclusively consume the nettles keeping the crop in check. It also enriches soil for future plantings, speed ups compost decomposition and acts as an aphid trap. Not to mention the benefits when drank as tea or made into a soup broth.
 Yesterday, I transplanted a large cluster of nettles into the 2 year chicken compost pile without seeds so the root system gets to work. A balanced blend of greens, kitchen scraps, manure, straw, coffee frass and the like have gone into this beautiful pile. Most of the time I just cut and incorporate but this year we're trying the growing method for the piles we've stopped turning.

I also unloaded 30 maybe 40 gallons of micro green flowering plants into other compost piles and the chicken tractor on Friday and the soil beneath looks rich and inviting for the first round of Hungarian Heart, Mikarda, Aurora and Soldacki Tomatoes. Never underestimate the power of cover cropping. It's beautiful unruliness is a driving force in soil moisture retention, loft and procures hardly any physical input on our end. Mustards as a cover crop also grows faster than grass and provides and insect trap for over voracious slugs who might have an interest in my kohlrabi and spinach. In fall I leave these prodigiously producing mustards to self sow and offer up our earliest micro green crop in the spring.

This weeks share~
3 Asian Bundles-mizuna/bok choy/southern frill
1 Bag Salad Mix-it's colorful and full of flavor-hints of cilantro this week
1 Bag Kale or 1 Bag Spinach
2 Herbs-Basil, Chives
1 Bundle Radishes

We thought you'd like to know how to store your Asian greens for optimum life in your fridge. Ziplocks are best to keep stir fry greens from going limp. Eating is easy: stem and greens are all edible and reduce down significantly in a skillet with sunflower oil. Add shredded carrots, sunflower seeds, red beans and chives and serve in bowls.

See you at the Market this week.