Jefferson Farms.0rg

Disease Resistant Blueberries

Research results just released by USDA-ARS point out that there is a range of resistance to the fungal disease mummy berry among different blueberry cultivars.

The fungus wages its attack in two stages. During the first stage, small, cup-shaped structures bearing the fungus' spores sprout from berries concealed among leaf litter in the ground. Wind spreads the spores to nearby plants, infecting newly emerging shoots and leaves. During the second phase, the fungus penetrates the berry, causing it to shrink, shrivel and turn whitish. Eventually, the "mummified" fruit drops to the ground and overwinters, setting the stage for a new cycle the following spring.

The researchers analyzed blighting-resistance data collected from 125 cultivars over two to six years, and fruit-infection-resistance data from 110 cultivars over two to five years. Among a small group of cultivars found to be resistant to both stages were "Brunswick" and "Bluejay."

To see the full ARS article, with quite a lot more on blueberries, click here.

Market News -- May 7th

It’s been a busy week attending conferences and visiting local growers, but spring is finally here for good…this time I am sure! And some good news – local crops are coming in strong now…just yesterday I saw one of our  vendors at the Charles Town market who has some nice radishes and spinach, and some tomatoes that are starting to size up in the greenhouse and look like they are on line to be an excellent early harvest. Another had some fine, fully formed heads of lettuce ready to go; another plenty of asparagus. All of them had sturdy, well grown seedlings lined up ready to go on in the van tomorrow morning. Plus eggs, honey, baked goods, coffee, herbs…the bounty just goes on and on.

 Weather?  Sure we had a tough start to the season back in mid-April – thanks, BTW,  to all those hardy locavores who came out in the rain – but last week was terrific weather, and this week’s forecast is for sun, Sun, SUN…with a cool start in the 50’s rising to wonderful 70s by afternoon…a great day to get out on the street and sample what the county has to offer.

So we hope to see you there, bright and early or leisurely late morning to chat with your neighbors and pick up the wares of the hardworking farmers, bakers and roasters who spend their Saturdays looking for you!

And don’t forget to check the Facebook page, where you’ll find the latest updates and pictures from the market  http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Jefferson-Farmers-Market-WV/193251207382947

Vegetable Equipment For Sale

This arrived yesterday from the Planck's over in Lovettsville, VA, who are retiring after decades of running one of the most successful vegtable operations in Loundon County:

Thanks for the many inquiries.

 We now have sales or sales arrangements with several of you. .

 We are away April 8-18 (that’s what you get to do when selling things off).

 Pick-up and settlement can begin at the farm April 19 on.

 When we get back we will send out a new list, having

1. put prices on a few things that were asked about that we hadn’t priced yet
2. added a few items
3. consolidated to show everything then still available

 Although it’s now quite altered, I re-attach the original list pending the mid-April revision.

Chip

I've seen some of the stuff and spoken to Chip and Susan about it; the prices seem quite fair to me.