End of CSA + invitation to the garlic party!

Julie and Raph cleaning up the fields and removing large plant debris.

The 2025 CSA season has ended and it’s time for us to reflect on it. I (Raphaëlle writing here) am feeling so grateful for each and every customer that supported us throughout the season - and the drought.

Because of the lack of rain, we had trouble growing carrots (they really need moist conditions to germinate evenly), we didn’t have much squash and no melons (we decided to stop watering them to be conservative with water) and our yields were globally way lower than usual (peppers and tomatoes were too hot under the tunnels and declined very early, for example).

Despite the brutal weather we've had a good summer. We managed to have some great crops and offer quite some variety during the season (which we are very happy about), but mostly it was a successful year thanks to you. Because as CSA members, whatever happens during the farming season, you are committed to supporting our small, local, women-led organic farm and putting up with the adversities we are facing.

So, THANK YOU. Every smile, nice word or comment, counts! This is what keeps the passion alive for us, knowing that you enjoy the food we are growing, and feeling that wonderful community around us. We wouldn’t have the strength to farm under the burning sun without you all.

We sent you a survey (it’s not too late to fill it if you haven’t yet) and it was really useful to get your feedback. When Rebecca is going to crop plan this winter ( I hope to help her a bit with this), we are definitely going to adjust it and take your preferences into consideration.

Of course there are limits we can’t really move: peas have an extremely short growing window and we can’t offer them for longer; spinach doesn’t do well in the heat and will only be offered in spring and fall - but we can grow more of what we know you are craving.

Beans, sprouting broccoli, potatoes, tomatoes, beets have been mentioned a lot as crops you’d like to see more of. 

We are currently working on a trial to extend the growing season, using row covers and tunnels.

I’ll leave it to Julie to tell you more about our ongoing work and her thoughts about her first year at Spring Tide.

I am so happy about all the rain that has finally decided to come back to the province. It was very unnerving going so many months without, and it is my hope that over the next 6 months we get enough to recharge our water table. It’s especially exciting to watch the new pond fill up, knowing it will be so valuable, should next summer resemble this past one. 

As we wind down, we have taken the time to discuss and review how the last season has gone. It was wonderful to read all your comments on the survey, and thanks so much for your feedback. We will be taking your input into consideration as we plan for the next year. That information is so valuable to us as we do the end of season review. We discussed many things in our meeting such as our accomplishments, and our disappointments, and came up with plans to improve the things that we struggled with.

We were especially proud of our safety record this summer, no one was injured and we even put better safety guidelines in place to ensure it stays that way. We improved our communication and efficiency, we’ve completed important projects that help us continue to expand, and are streamlining our standard operating procedures (SOPs) to make sure everything moves smoothly. 

As we continue to move through the fall season we are busy preparing ourselves for next spring. As Raph mentioned, we have been moving the polytunnels now, while we have time and energy. This end of season move means we are saving ourselves that hard work in the spring, so we are ready to get started earlier in the spring.

Since it was only my first year at the farm, and I'm still learning so much, it is always nice to hear how more prepared we are than last year. Knowing each season gets more organized makes me really proud to be a part of this team. Working with a group of women who are committed to this project, and each other's well-being is a joy.

I will miss being in community, through CSAs or the market, over the winter, but I know spring will sneak up on us quickly.

For those who want an opportunity to visit us and lend a helping hand, we have organized a garlic planting party for the 9th of November from 12pm-4pm. Please pull into the driveway labelled 2438-2 Lapland Rd and park anywhere along that driveway.

We would love to have anyone who is able join us for the afternoon to help dig around in the dirt and chat.  Even if you’re not up for getting dirty, we can always use help preparing the garlic for those who plant, or even just come for a visit and see what we do. We will have snacks and refreshments, and a potluck afterwards to make sure we are all fed and happy. Make sure you bring weather appropriate clothes, and boots and gloves. Planting garlic is such a fun way to wrap up the season and we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible.

Thanks for supporting us and our efforts to provide our community with access to local, organic, fresh vegetables grown with care. Our community is what keeps us working, and we appreciate you all for being involved in our labour of love. 

See you at the garlic party,

or until next Spring,

Julie and Raphaëlle, Spring Tide Farm team