One of the first native plant species to blossom in our 2024 pollinator plot: Lanceleaf Coreopsis! And a cute little bee to boot! It takes a few years for these plantings to boom, so I wasn't expecting to see anything this year. What a delightful surprise.
It takes management and care to establish a native planting from seed. I am still learning how to do that well. These first plantings are going to bear the brunt of my inexperience. Last year we just did our best and got the seeds in the ground. These plots are weedier than I would like. Hopefully regular spring burning and carefully timed mowing will help the favored plants along.
I am more prepared for this year's seedings. Lots of native wildflowers have tiny seeds and take more than a season to reach maturity. Managing the competition during establishment is very important. Ground preparation is one of the best ways. Believe it or not, herbicides are regularly used to establish native plantings. The most commonly used herbicides are not approved for use on organic farms. Honestly, I didn't look into herbicides approved by the National Organic Program, assuming they were expensive and less effective than tillage. I could be wrong. That sounds like a great trial.
In the spirit of good ground prep, we plowed the plots last fall, disced 2 times this spring, and yesterday before the big rain, I was lucky enough to plow up some of the grass that survived all that. By the end of the month, our 2025 pollinator plantings will be in the ground. I am so excited to see how all this effort manifests.
We were also able to work the 2026 last fall. Soon we will either tarp them for a clean slate or put down some cover crop. I still have time to decide.
It takes management and care to establish a native planting from seed. I am still learning how to do that well. These first plantings are going to bear the brunt of my inexperience. Last year we just did our best and got the seeds in the ground. These plots are weedier than I would like. Hopefully regular spring burning and carefully timed mowing will help the favored plants along.
I am more prepared for this year's seedings. Lots of native wildflowers have tiny seeds and take more than a season to reach maturity. Managing the competition during establishment is very important. Ground preparation is one of the best ways. Believe it or not, herbicides are regularly used to establish native plantings. The most commonly used herbicides are not approved for use on organic farms. Honestly, I didn't look into herbicides approved by the National Organic Program, assuming they were expensive and less effective than tillage. I could be wrong. That sounds like a great trial.
In the spirit of good ground prep, we plowed the plots last fall, disced 2 times this spring, and yesterday before the big rain, I was lucky enough to plow up some of the grass that survived all that. By the end of the month, our 2025 pollinator plantings will be in the ground. I am so excited to see how all this effort manifests.
We were also able to work the 2026 last fall. Soon we will either tarp them for a clean slate or put down some cover crop. I still have time to decide.
The only veggie-apple is back! Kohlrabi! Try it sliced with a little salt That's how Wiley loves it.
Quick fix on the tie rod of our big tractor. The threads are stripped on the inner tie rod so the outer doesn't hold on. Under advisement from the ever helpful Terry, I slits in the outer and clamped it on tight. It got me back on the tractor and is holding so far, but I'll be ordering another tie rod sooner than later.
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Potato bugs on our plants. In 2022, they defoliated our plants entirely. They are not to be trifled with.
A delicate nest spotted from the mower. It was empty and I am hoping that means the birds had successful brood. I moved another nest to the fenceline, hoping the birds find it and still care for the eggs within. Yet another, I mowed around. Mowing is just terrible in that respect, and this time of year is the worst for it. I try to avoid it as much as possible. When I can't, I'm as careful as I can be. I mow slow, as high as I can, and from one side to the other, hopefully scaring the creatures out.
Cute little mushrooms in our kale!
A delicate nest spotted from the mower. It was empty and I am hoping that means the birds had successful brood. I moved another nest to the fenceline, hoping the birds find it and still care for the eggs within. Yet another, I mowed around. Mowing is just terrible in that respect, and this time of year is the worst for it. I try to avoid it as much as possible. When I can't, I'm as careful as I can be. I mow slow, as high as I can, and from one side to the other, hopefully scaring the creatures out.
Cute little mushrooms in our kale!
Just a reminder that our Farm potluck is on Sunday, June 29th then! (Information below) That's not this Sunday but the following. If you have been hoping to see the farm and farmers' that grow your food, please come on out If you are planning on coming, Please RSVP via this form if you haven't already. I saw a firefly just the other day...
We are busy on the farm and lots of new crops are coming in. Kohlrabi and cabbage to name two. Parsley, scallions, and some beets are hot on their trail. I am so looking forward to seeing you all at market this coming Saturday.
And I also hope to see you at the potluck!
Cheers,
Helen
she/her/hers
Potluck details!
Farm Potluck, June 29th!
Pleases come out to Lake Divide Farm and see where we are growing your vegetables. Hopefully most of the crew is here as well and you can meet the determined, lovely people doing the work. I haven't had a collection of people out to the farm for a long while and I am not the best host. What I know is that it's the people that make the party, so hoping you can come out, share a meal, and bask in the greatness of the summer light.
Who is invited: Lovers of Lake Divide, along with their family and friends. It is a family friendly event!
No dogs please. I love them too.
Time: 4p to 8p
Address: 12638 Mount Hope Rd., Stockbridge, MI 49285
Parking: In marked areas. Carpool if possible.
Schedule:
Eating as hungry and as food arrives
Farm tour from 530p to 6p
Activities
What to bring:
In this email:
Fresh From the Field-
Greens:
Broccolini
Head Lettuce- last week
Kale
Micros: Types to be seen!
Pea shoots
Herbs
Catnip!
Chives
Mint
Oregano
Sage
All Manner of Deliciousness
Beets
Cabbage
Green garlic
Garlic Scapes!
Kohlrabi
Potatoes from the Yoder's. Keep them in the fridge.
Snap peas (limited)
Squash!
Spring Radishes!
Sweet turnips
Purple Top Turnips
Zucchini
Coming Soon
Basil
Cucumbers
Parsley
Scallions
Farms we are collaborating with:
When something sold by us is grown by another farm, we will always label both to support them and so that you can make informed decisions.
Not all the farms we are working with are certified organic. If they aren't, you better bet we know them well enough to trust their growing practices. This is both because we have asked them about how they care for their land and what materials they use, but also because we are friends. We have asked each other questions and shared information and resources over the years. We know most of them well enough to have had dinner together and to call to share family news. This collection of family farms are our community and our colleagues. We are proud to know them and to work with them.
Almar Orchard, Flushing, Certified Organic
Cinzori Farm, Ceresco, Certified Organic
HillTop Greenhouse and Farms, Ann Arbor. They supply the eggs from free range, happy chickens.
Jacob's Fresh Farm, Dexter
Sunnyside Produce, Homer, Certified Organic
Titus Farms, Leslie
Yoder Farms, Leslie
Grilled Zucchini and Squash
By Christina from The Whole Cook
This grilled zucchini and squash is unbelievably delicious thanks to an incredible (and incredibly simple) olive oil, herb, and seasoning mixture. It's an easy side dish that really wows during the summer months.
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
We are busy on the farm and lots of new crops are coming in. Kohlrabi and cabbage to name two. Parsley, scallions, and some beets are hot on their trail. I am so looking forward to seeing you all at market this coming Saturday.
And I also hope to see you at the potluck!
Cheers,
Helen
she/her/hers
Potluck details!
Farm Potluck, June 29th!
Pleases come out to Lake Divide Farm and see where we are growing your vegetables. Hopefully most of the crew is here as well and you can meet the determined, lovely people doing the work. I haven't had a collection of people out to the farm for a long while and I am not the best host. What I know is that it's the people that make the party, so hoping you can come out, share a meal, and bask in the greatness of the summer light.
Who is invited: Lovers of Lake Divide, along with their family and friends. It is a family friendly event!
No dogs please. I love them too.
Time: 4p to 8p
Address: 12638 Mount Hope Rd., Stockbridge, MI 49285
Parking: In marked areas. Carpool if possible.
Schedule:
Eating as hungry and as food arrives
Farm tour from 530p to 6p
Activities
- Bonfire
- Yard games
- Chit chat!
- Playing in sprinklers
What to bring:
- A dish to pass or beverage
- Your own bowl and cutlery- we will have paper plates and silverware available if needed (not to worry at all)
- Camp chair
- Yard game
- kids bike
- Kids swim suit
- We are a working farm and have a lot going on! Kids should be attended.
- Stay on the two track and in the aisles.
- Don't go in the barns! They are not safe.
- There are great natural areas around here. Make a day of it and go to the Waterloo Recreation area.
- Stockbridge has a renowned "pump track" if you like to do that kind of thing.
- Lots of great swimming lakes (Portage Lake, Silver Lake) and lots of great birding.
In this email:
- Generally important notes
- Farm Potluck June 29th at 3 pm! RSVP here!
- Our crew slots are all populated now, but
- A link to our Stockbridge Community Outreach Project
- Notes for members (or potential members!):
- Find a copy of the 2025 membership agreement here.
- Now offering $100 CSA memberships with a $10 bonus.
- If you shop with us regularly, consider signing up for our farm membership (CSA). This is the perfect time to do it as it offers maximum support to us and the most opportunities to use your balance over the course of the year.
- Consider giving the gift of food to someone in your family or friend. It's a great gift for those that want to eat local fresh food but don't know how to get started.
- Here is link to our Social Justice page on our website. It is a list of resources to keep active in effecting positive social change. Keep your chin up.
- Fresh From the field
- Recipe: Grilled Zucchini and Squash
Fresh From the Field-
Greens:
Broccolini
Head Lettuce- last week
Kale
Micros: Types to be seen!
Pea shoots
Herbs
Catnip!
Chives
Mint
Oregano
Sage
All Manner of Deliciousness
Beets
Cabbage
Green garlic
Garlic Scapes!
Kohlrabi
Potatoes from the Yoder's. Keep them in the fridge.
Snap peas (limited)
Squash!
Spring Radishes!
Sweet turnips
Purple Top Turnips
Zucchini
Coming Soon
Basil
Cucumbers
Parsley
Scallions
Farms we are collaborating with:
When something sold by us is grown by another farm, we will always label both to support them and so that you can make informed decisions.
Not all the farms we are working with are certified organic. If they aren't, you better bet we know them well enough to trust their growing practices. This is both because we have asked them about how they care for their land and what materials they use, but also because we are friends. We have asked each other questions and shared information and resources over the years. We know most of them well enough to have had dinner together and to call to share family news. This collection of family farms are our community and our colleagues. We are proud to know them and to work with them.
Almar Orchard, Flushing, Certified Organic
Cinzori Farm, Ceresco, Certified Organic
HillTop Greenhouse and Farms, Ann Arbor. They supply the eggs from free range, happy chickens.
Jacob's Fresh Farm, Dexter
Sunnyside Produce, Homer, Certified Organic
Titus Farms, Leslie
Yoder Farms, Leslie
Grilled Zucchini and Squash
By Christina from The Whole Cook
This grilled zucchini and squash is unbelievably delicious thanks to an incredible (and incredibly simple) olive oil, herb, and seasoning mixture. It's an easy side dish that really wows during the summer months.
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchini
- 2 medium yellow squash
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, extra virgin
- 1 tablespoons dried parsley, can use dried basil or oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Slice your zucchini and squash into circles 1/3 to 1/2 inch thick. (I would not go any thinner than 1/3 inch.)
- Preheat your grill to medium heat.
- In a large bowl add your vegetable slices, olive oil, and seasonings. Use your hands or a spoon to move around the veggies until they’re lightly coated.
- Lay zucchini and squash slices on the grill. We'll use any remaining oil at the end so just leave it in the bowl. Grill for 4 to 5 minutes per side (8 to 10 minutes total) or until you achieve the desired softness.
- Remove from grill and plate. Drizzle remaining oil/herb/seasoning mixture over your grilled zucchini and squash.
Notes
- You can of course use all zucchini or all yellow squash in this recipe if you prefer.Move the rack in the oven to the lower middle position. Place the roasting pan in the oven.
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