Rad Soils
Photo: Clark Farm workers holding giant daikon radishes, size comparison of a daikon and seltzer can, daikon planted next to broccoli.
Hello friends!
A few notes before we get into it:
1 - Like Cher Lloyd with her 2012 hit single, (we) Want U Back (our bags and ice packs). If you have a back log of bags or ice packs, please leave them out for our drivers to pick up at your next delivery!
2 - Thanksgiving is almost here! Our store is chock full of goodies for you to order by Friday November 11th for delivery on Tuesday 11/22.
3- We are taking the week of Thanksgiving off - there will be no deliveries on Saturday November 26th or Tuesday November 29th. We will miss you but we'll be back before you to know it!
Thanks and have a wonderful weekend!
The Family Dinner Fam
Radishes for the Win!
Hello! Shannon here and we're going to chat again about how "rad" different crops can be for the soils and why we should eat more of them. And, if you are thinking, is she lining up a vegetable pun with quotes around the word rad, then you certainly have read enough of these emails to know that is 100% going to happen because, how rad are radishes for soil health?!
Daikon radishes or sometimes referred to tillage radishes are one of the ways farms can aerate their soils without tilling them year after year. If you need a little primer back in July I wrote another newsletter about soils as well! The long taproots of daikons can break up compacted soils which leads to a number of beneficial outcomes for the soil:
- Compacted Soil leads to stunted crops and smaller yields. So these radishes can help grow bigger crops with larger yields.
- Compacted Soil can cause fertilizer to run off into waterways. The radishes leave 6" holes in the ground that allow for better water infiltration which creates less pooling and better absorption of both water and fertilizers.
- 25% of soil is air - allowing for more air flow into the soil gives roots access to more air and oxygen for microbe to do their thing.
I haven't "bean" this excited for a veggie that builds soil health than when I learned about how legumes fix nitrogen from the air and exude them through their root systems to put fertilizer in the soil for other plants. Often times in winter cover crop mixes you will find tillage radish and legumes like hairy vetch that will aerate and fertilize the soil while fields are resting for the next season.
But that's not the only time our farmers grow these radishes. And if we want to eat with soil health in mind, radishes should be part of that diet! You can pickle them, turn them into fries, or put them into a gratin or slaw. They are a super versatile veg that I know you'll enjoy!
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Recipes (MA)
Steamed Sea Bass with Carrots Three Ways - A little something for everyone with this recipe AND you use the whole carrot!
Scalloped Macomber Turnip - Because, I want to eat all of this all the time.
How to Scallion - so many options for your choosing!
Shepherd's Pie with Turnip Mash - Okay, so, technically if it's beef its a cottage pie but I'll let this slide. In the colder months, I LOVE a shepherd's pie type dish. Going out to shovel? I stick one in the oven so that it's warm when I come back in. Can't get any better. And they are also amazing ways to hide all sorts of leftovers into.
Baked Acorn Squash - I have no words other than this is so easy and looks delicious.
Vegan Indian Palak "Paneer" - Name a more dynamic duo than spinach and tofu (I do realize there are many but just go along with me). But 20 minutes to dinner with this recipe and I'm all in!
Fresh Cranberry Ideas! Y'all will likely be getting cranberries again before the fall is through and they don't always need to turn into sauce or baked goods! Try out that tart punch with a salad with pickles cranberries, squash with poached cranberries or a wild rice and cider cranberry pilaf!
Tips and Tricks for storing your food and getting the most from your shares can be found here.
—Shannon
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Recipes (ME + NH)
Tips and Tricks for storing your food and getting the most from your shares can be found here.