Hollow Pumpkin Farm: SPECIALIZING IN HIGH QUALITY ORGANICALLY GROWN PRODUCE SINCE 1977
Taking Memberships for 2013 Summer/Fall



Farmer Steve

Farmer Steve
Proud Parent of Beautiful Onions

WELCOME TO HOLLOW PUMPKIN C.S.A.

What is a C.S.A.?

Quite simply, it Stands for Community Supported Agriculture and can be the answer to todays industrialization of America's food supply by bringing the community closer to the source of their food supply.



How does it work?

If a person is interested in becoming a member of our C.S.A they would purchase a full or half share per season prior to the season's start. Pre-payment allows a small independent organic grower, like Steve Smith, the finances to invest in the equipment and materials he needs for the upcoming season. For as low as $15.00 per week your share of produce is distributed (each week) over a 24 week growing season (June through November) for your eating pleasure. Distribution may be achieved via delivery or picked up at a designated distribution site on a designated day at a designated time. Hollow Pumpkin C.S.A. will notify it's members as to which method of distribution will be used for that season as the season grows near. We request minimally 24 to 48 hours notice if you will not be available on the distribution day so that we may make other arrangements with you, within reason. If we do not hear from you and your share does not get picked up on the day of distribution within the time slot specified, your share will be donated to a shelter or another community organization.



*Payment plans are available. Call or email and ask us for information about our "Early Turnip Discount."



Why Join a C.S.A.?

1. It Affords you the most healthy and nutritional produce

available.



2. It supports your local farm and economy.



3. It supports the environment.



4. It allows you a relationship with your local farmer.



5. It allows you to have a voice about the produce and food

you eat.



Things to Consider:



1. Do you enjoy cooking with a variety of seasonal vegetables?

2. Are you willing to share the risks along with the benifits. The farmer may occasionally encounter challenges, such as weather related issues, pests and blights? Eating local and seasonal is different than buying whatever you want whenever you want at a grocery store. It will take some getting use to. However, eating local and seasonal is healthier and absolutely more in sync with the environment.

3. Are you adventurous? Do you like trying new and different vegetables and fruits?

Our Distribution Area:

Steve's farm is located in Anna Illinois, 30 miles South of Carbondale Illinois. Hollow Pumpkin C.S.A's distribution area covers Anna/Jonesboro, areas north of Anna such as Cobden and Makanda up to Carbondale, east to Carterville and Marion, west to Murphysboro. We also will distribute to the Lick Creek area and, of course, south, east and west of Anna within a 20 mile (or so) radius. (We are flexible based on the amount of interest we receive in a particular area and distribution issues can be negotiated within reason.)

Who is Hollow Pumpkin C.S.A.?

Steve Smith is the owner and Head Farmer. Steve has various friends who graciously donate their time when they can and we encourage our C.S.A. members to get a little dirty and come out to the farm and volunteer to work in the fields from time to time.



About Steve Smith

Steve Smith came to Anna Illinois from New York and established the farm in 1977, over 30 years ago, with a strong desire to go back to the land and organically grow vegetables. He succeeded, and became the first viable organic farm in Southern Illinois. Steve is truly a pioneer in organic farming in the region. He is dedicated to providing the Southern Illinois community with fresh, local, ecologically sound produce and he is always excited about sharing his knowledge with everyone, especially the next generation.



To contact Hollow Pumpkin C.S.A. you may email: steve.hollowpumpkin@gmail.com or call (618) 614-2233

Friday, December 17, 2010

Growing Asparagus: What you may not know

Labels: , , , ,

The good news is: We planted 400 asparagus plants and 95% of them survived the 2010 drought. The beautiful lacy field of asparagus is happy and thriving.
We took a survey of our current membership and others this year so we could better understand the needs of the community. One of the questions was, of course, What are your favorite vegetables. One of the vegetables that showed up on many of our surveys was asparagus. Most folks don't know what it takes to grow asparagus - I know I did not before coming to the farm so I thought I'd fill you in on the skinny about asparagus.
Asparagus was originally a sea vegetable. When deciding to plant asparagus figure out if you are willing to wait about three years for the young plants to become fully mature. You may get small diameter asparagus the season after you plant, but if you harvest them you may be jeopardizing the yield of next season's harvest. Once the plants are mature, you have about an eight week opportunity to harvest the yummy vegetables, usually April and May, and that is it for the season. That may account for why asparagus is costly in the supermarkets.
If you do decide to plant asparagus, make sure you give it organic material, i.e. manure in the winter. If you do give it manure in the winter and you are growing organically, (which we hope you are), you want to watch out for the weeds. They grow like mad. Steve says that long ago, folks use to use salt to keep the weeds away. The pitfall of salt is that nothing else will grow there after that (except your asparagus because, remember, they are a sea vegetable.) the good news is, if you take care of your asparagus they will produce for about 20 years, so you may not have to plant any other crop for a while.
Asparagus need potassium. So a little wood ash is good to put on them. Any woody plant has pot ash in them which is high in potassium. By adding the wood ash to the soil you are helping to increase the potash in the plant.
So now you know about asparagus. We may break the rules and harvest some next season if it looks as though the yield will allow it. If not, our members may have to wait until the following season.
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)