He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herbs for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth … Psalm 104:14

Hello friends! This month, I’d like to share what my husband and I have been doing for fresh produce this Summer. For the past few years I have been trying my best to grow some of my own vegetables — mainly heirlooms in which I grow organically.

This past Spring I had every intention of doing this and had even ordered the heirloom seeds from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds.

But, as usual, I got Spring fever and did all kinds of weeding, digging and all the things that come along with getting the yard and garden up to par when I ended up overworking my back and landed in the bed unable to move for a few days.

My husband Sam had even tilled the garden space that I was to plant, but it never got planted. He had to miss work using vacation time to stay at home with me in order to help me in and out of bed and do the necessaries — you know how that is!

I hated that I wasn’t able to move around and take care of the much-needed work outside. It took me weeks to recover, and by that time, spring moved into summer and even though I did plant some seeds in containers, they never made it to the garden space.

It was at this time that my husband and I decided to take advantage of a local CSA that I had heard about from past visits to the Southside Produce Auction in the Charlotte Court House area. Also, while visiting my chiropractor’s office, Dr. Matthew Schrier, in Keysville, I had picked up a brochure about the Archlynn Farm CSA.

Dr. Schrier and his wife Diane told me last year how much they enjoyed getting their fresh produce once a week and that the drop-off spots were at Charlotte Court House and in front of the chiropractic office in Keysville. 

So, we took advantage of the already-picked fresh produce that was very reasonably priced. 

So far we have had a good variety of produce to eat.

This has included cabbage, lettuce, snap peas, Asian greens, kale, broccoli, onions, radishes, beets, turnips, chard, summer squash, potatoes, tomatoes, strawberries, green beans, eggplant, peppers, zucchini, melons, sweet corn, okra, cucumbers and watermelon. We will continue to get fresh produce until the end of October.

My husband, who is generally the first to complain about not getting his money’s worth, told me in the beginning that it has been one of the best ways he has spent his money.

For more information about this CSA farm subscription share, contact Amy at (434) 391-4754 or email archlynnfarm@yahoo.com. Until next time!

Alice Russell, also known as “Me Me,” is a guest columnist. Her email address is letstalkherbs@gmail.com.