READY, SET, ROOT!
Hello Chimacum Corner Community!
The local valley bottoms finally got the faintest whisper of snow last week, though it didn’t really stick around much after all. Two dustings has been the extent of it thus far this “winter.” If 2021 was the year of the “Heat Dome,” perhaps we can name 2025 the “Snowless Winter”. Not to count our meteorological chickens before they hatch, but it would seem we are due for a rather long spring. Perfect for establishing vegetable crops, both annual and perennial! Around the crossroads, we’ve got Asparagus, Potatoes, and Onions on the brain. Ask any home grower, a fistful of backyard asparagus is no small triumph. And who can deny the unbridled joy of unearthing potatoes? Or seeing your onions hanging on the line to cure? Read on for all the ways we love these staple crops that herald the dawn of spring.
Spuds, Sets, and Crowns
The newsletter has recently covered the topics of bare root edible trees/plants and bare root native plants. Now, it’s time for the veggies to get their shot at the limelight… er, leaflight? While these crops are all slightly different, they all fall under the category of “rooting materials for vegetable production.” Likewise, they all come from one amazing small organic family-owned seed farm - Irish Eyes Farm, in Ellensburg, WA. First off, we have Asparagus Crowns, available in both standard green and fancy purple. Don’t be alarmed, they are supposed to look like spindly octopi! Available in both single crowns and bundles of 10. Next we have Seed Potatoes, available in a half dozen tried and true varieties, like German Butterball, which is rumored to be the favorite spud of Don of Don’s Pharmacy! We also have the Ozette Fingerling, another local star that was tended for hundreds of years exclusively by the Makah Nation. Don’t forget to “chit” your spuds! Finally we have onion sets in two varieties - Yellow Rock and Red Wethersfield. Onion sets are small, immature bulbs that are ready and quick to plant. We will also have onion transplants available this spring, as well as bare root strawberries, so stay tuned!
As Outside, So Inside
Just as the Nursery has all of the materials necessary to get your potatoes, asparagus, and onions going in the garden, the Produce Porch has the crops to get them on your plate right away. We have been enjoying a stellar run of extremely tasty Organic Asparagus. We also have local potatoes - purple ones from Midori, and German Butterballs from Red Dog. Finally, we are getting the first bunches of Spring Onions from Oregon growers in the Organically Grown Company family. Fresh, top quality produce is available seven days a week on our award-winning Produce Porch.
Baked and Loaded
Nothing takes the chill out of the air like having a loaded baked potato night, amiriteeee? The gang over in grocery have you covered with anything you could desire for the ultimate toppings bar. Get real hardy with it and go full blown chili spud. Or take the classic route with sour cream, green onions, and a don’t forget ample pads of butter. Perhaps a handful of your favorite cheese?
Eggcellent Asparagus
The Corner Kitchen has a new quiche up their sleeve, and it feels downright springy. Say hello to the seasonal Asparagus Quiche. Tender asparagus and dollops of fresh soft cheese are expertly folded into the egg mixture, and baked to perfection. What’s not to love? Maybe in several years you can make asparagus quiches of your own with spears grown from the asparagus crowns you plant this spring?! That’s full circle Chimacum homesteading right there!
While rooting around for a deal idea, we thought it only right to keep it spudly! This new deals cycle features solid discounts on the Boulder Potato Chip line as well as the Jackson’s Sweet Potato Chip ensemble. If you’re feeling chipper about the prospects of spring, celebrate with a tasty salty treat. The Boulder Avocado Oil potato chip is an all time staff fave.
