Expanding

Expanding

We continue to expand our capacity here at PCG.  This week we purchased materials for two more troughs and another sprouting table.  That means that there will be plenty of fresh produce for you in the coming months!

Feedback

One of our customers bought the Leafy Lettuce Mix two weeks ago on the 16th.  I heard from him last night, saying "I am still eating from the lettuce I got from you.  Still fresh and crispy.  I think it's the best lettuce I have ever eaten."

This week's harvest

Leafy Lettuce Mix	Beet Greens	Evergreen Onions
Siberian Kale	Rainbow Swiss Chard	Sage
Parsley	Chives	Thyme

Did You Know?

Just Two Servings of Produce Per Day Can Increase Wellbeing.  Among a sample of 171 young adults, those who consumed an extra two servings of produce per day for fourteen days reported an increase in psychological wellbeing that did not occur in participants who continued to eat their normal diet. 
PLOS ONE, February 2017

To Unsubscribe, please reply to this newsletter with the word "Unsubscribe" in the subject line. Thanks!

©2017 Peak City Gardens, LLC

Experiments and Developments

Experiments
We've been experimenting with different products and packages.  We received a few samples of clear containers made of PLA, a corn-based material that is biodegradable.  It decomposes in a commercial compost environment in about six months.  We're thinking of using it to deliver lettuce to our customers.  Below is a picture.  Would you be interested in buying lettuce in such a package?

We're also working on the best way to grow microgreens.  Some of our chef customers have expressed interest, so we are planting microgreens each week, varying the methods and mixtures of seeds a bit at a time to help us determine the best way to deliver these tasty morsels.  Here's one tray where we used a little growing media in the bottom:

We are also seeing how well leeks do in our garden.  We planted three varieties.  They are still pretty tiny right now, but as time goes by, we'll determine which variety grows best here.

Developments

Our strawberry plants are starting to pop out some berries!  It will be a few more months before we have enough to sell, but they are a good sign of things to come.

And we have some beet greens for sale.  The beets themselves are pretty small, so we thought we'd offer you the greens now while they are ready for harvest.

Coming in the future...we have planted rosemary, oregano, marjoram, and red scottish bonnet peppers, as well as more rainbow swiss chard, cilantro, basil, vates kale, and lacinato kale.  Watch our web site and this newsletter for them.

Let us know if there is something you'd like that we're not growing.  We'll see if it will!

This week's harvest

Leafy Lettuce Mix	Beet Greens	Evergreen Onions
Siberian Kale		Sage
Parsley	Chives	Thyme

Did You Know?

PLA has multiple uses. Being able to degrade into innocuous lactic acid, PLA is used as medical implants in the form of anchors, screws, plates, pins, rods, and as a mesh. Depending on the exact type used, it breaks down inside the body within 6 months to 2 years. This gradual degradation is desirable for a support structure, because it gradually transfers the load to the body (e.g. the bone) as that area heals. The strength characteristics of PLA and PLLA implants are well documented.

PLA can also be used as a decomposable packaging material, either cast, injection-molded, or spun. Cups and bags have been made from this material. In the form of a film, it shrinks upon heating, allowing it to be used in shrink tunnels. It is useful for producing loose-fill packaging, compost bags, food packaging, and disposable tableware. In the form of fibers and nonwoven fabrics, PLA also has many potential uses, for example as upholstery, disposable garments, awnings, feminine hygiene products, and diapers. (source)

To Unsubscribe, please reply to this newsletter with the word "Unsubscribe" in the subject line. Thanks!

©2017 Peak City Gardens, LLC

History of Chives

Colorado Farm and Art Market in Colorado Springs
This Sunday from 11am to 2pm, we'll be at the Colorado Farm and Art Market at the Cottonwood Center for the Arts in downtown Colorado Springs.  It's at the corner of Colorado and Corona (see map below).  The entrance is on the southeast corner of the building (see the arrow) and parking is on the east side of the building (the lot is circled).

This week's harvest

Leafy Lettuce Mix	Vates Kale	Evergreen Onions
Siberian Kale	Muir Lettuce	Sage
Parsley	Chives	Thyme

Did You Know?

As a member of the Allium genus, chives are related to garlic and onion. In fact, A. schoenoprasum is the oldest species of edible onion known and the only member of this genus that grows wild in both the New World (the Americas) and the Old World (Europe, Africa and Asia). The herb pairs well with fish and potatoes and the flowers are used to garnish soups and salads. It is also included in the classic French fines herbes seasoning blend and is an ingredient in tvorog, a type of soft cheese enjoyed in Russia and Poland. (source)

To Unsubscribe, please reply to this newsletter with the word "Unsubscribe" in the subject line. Thanks!

©2017 Peak City Gardens, LLC

Fresh Herbs and Farmer's Market

Fresh Herbs
We have some fresh herbs ready for harvest, including cilantro, parsley, sage, thyme, green onions, and chives.  Some are just starting to be ready for harvest, so quantities are limited.  Order soon to make sure you get yours!

Farmer's Market in Woodland Park
This Saturday from 9am to 1pm, we'll be at the Farmer's Market in Woodland Park, located at the Ute Pass Cultural Center, which is next to the library, and across the street from Bierwerks and the Dinosaur Center. Turn at the light onto Fairview and the Center is on the right.  The entrance to the parking lot is just past the building on the right.

This week's harvest

Leafy Lettuce Mix	Vates Kale	Evergreen Onions
Siberian Kale	Lacinato "Dino" Kale	Sage
Cilantro	Chives	Thyme
	Parsley

Did You Know?

That song that goes through your head when reading my list of herbs...you know, the Simon and Garfunkel tune "Scarborough Fair", is based on an old English/Scottish ballad.  The list of herbs in the chorus, "parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme" is thought to refer to medieval romance.  "Although meaningless to most people today, these herbs spoke to the imagination of medieval people as much as red roses do to us today. Without any connotation necessary, they symbolize virtues the singer wishes his true love and himself to have, in order to make it possible for her to come back again."  (source)

To Unsubscribe, please reply to this newsletter with the word "Unsubscribe" in the subject line. Thanks!

©2017 Peak City Gardens, LLC

Delivery is free

Free Delivery
Just a reminder that we will deliver free to any address within 25 miles of downtown Colorado Springs.  That includes Monument, Woodland Park, Falcon and Fountain/Security/Widefield.

This week's harvest

Leafy Lettuce Mix - 4 oz	Vates Kale	Evergreen Onions
Siberian Kale	Lacinato "Dino" Kale	Sage
Cilantro

Did You Know?

One of our customers says that the leafy lettuce mix lasts for two weeks.

To Unsubscribe, please reply to this newsletter with the word "Unsubscribe" in the subject line. Thanks!

©2017 Peak City Gardens, LLC