Peak Summer
Summer is here in full strength with today expected to peak above 40 C in Nelson. The different seasons all have their own unique qualities and Summer is our busiest time of the year. Crops grow faster with higher temperatures and longer days, meaning we are harvesting at least one crop everyday and turning over beds at a quicker rate. It also means a lot of watering and irrigation and given we have had 5mm of rain this year we have been doing a lot of that! This is a period of high production and maximum effort is required to maintain crop quality. The good side is eating fresh Tomatoes of the vine, going swimming at the river with the kids and enjoying the long evenings outside.
We are very happy to report that our first stall at the Mount Gambier Farmer’s Market was a big success and we are returning this weekend for the combined Farmer and Makers Market. So come on down Saturday 15th February from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm to fill up on your locally grown, freshly harvested vegetables as well as all the other vendors who will be in attendance. This week we will have Rocket, Carrots, Butterhead & Summercrisp Lettuce, Beetroots, Green Beans, Basil, Coriander, Parsley, Bok Choi, Kale and Rainbow Chard.
We look forward to serving all of you at the Farmer’s Market on Saturday.
Our produce is now available for retail purchases and is featured on the menu at the Nelson Hotel and is always stocked and available at Food For Thought in Mount Gambier. Customers are welcome to come and visit the farm to take a look and purchase vegetables 7 days a week between 11:00 am and 6:00 pm.
This Week’s Available Produce
Carrots 400g $5
Beetroots 400g $
Lettuce $5
Rocket $5
Rainbow Chard $5
Bok Choi $5
Kale $5
Green Beans 200g $5
Zucchini 400g $5
Coriander $5
Parsley $5
**NEW** Nelson Honey 500g $15
Coming Soon
Celery
Tomatoes
Cherry Tomatoe
Capsicum
Cucumber
Basil
Thai Basil
Potatoes
Garlic
Notes From The Garden
At Rainbow OMG we recognise the centuries long tradition of Moon Planting. In short the different phases of the Moon correspond to growth in in different parts of plants with about 7 days for each phase. The order is Leaf, Fruit/Flower, Root and Stop. We find this cycle an excellent tool for planning and scheduling of all the regular tasks needed for a functional farm.
This week is a Fruit/Flower Week so we have planted more Green Beans, Broccoli, Cucumbers and more Sugar Snap Peas for the coming Autumn Season. We have also spent considerable time pruning and maintaining our Tomatoe, Cucumber, Capsicum and Zucchini vines.
Product Focus – Rainbow Chard
The ever beautiful Rainbow Chard is simply multi coloured Silverbeet. Rather than just green and white Silverbeet, Rainbow Chard comes in red, pink, orange, yellow, white with pink stripes, white and more allowing you to Eat The Rainbow. Rainbow Chard is far more heat tolerant that traditional Spinach and is generally available all year.
Rainbow Chard is a nutritional powerhouse being low in calories and containing:
- Vitamin’s K, A, C & E
- Manganese
- Magnesium
- Iron
- Potassium
- Copper
- Anti Oxidants
- Phytonutrients and more.
Rainbow Chard can be best described as salty spinach crossed with celery. It is best served lightly cooked and is generally prepared by cutting the leaves off the stem, then slicing the stem up like celery and the leaves like spinach.
Rainbow Chard can be used a spinach substitute in any cooked meal such as:
- Soups
- Stews
- Stir Fry
- “Spinach” Pie
- Added to baked beans
- An ingredient in vegetable stock
Rainbow Chard grows all year in climate and is an important staple in a seasonal diet. We invite you to try Rainbow Chard today.
Instagram Reel of the Week
| See what we have been up to this week at the Rainbow OMG micro farm. |
We look forward to serving you,
Evan and Jill Young
