Seven Springs CSA

03/16/2026

The garlic's coming up - https://mailchi.mp/4327093e6008/the-garlics-coming-up

I am very happy to see the garlic coming up. We planted it in November. Normally garlic will sprout in the late fall/early winter, then go dormant for the winter, and then start growing in the spring.

After we had that sustained cold spell in February I checked under the mulch. The green sprouts had all died back to the clove, including the tip of the clove. I was worried that it wouldn't come back, even though the roots still looked fine. Its green sprouts are now coming up nicely.

-Polly

03/10/2026

The roots of tomato season start in March. This year we've got everyone's favorite, Sun Gold... and Juliet for roasting. Amish Paste for sauce. Delicious Stupice--a Czech heirloom--and more.

Right now they're just packets on a workbench, but this summer, they'll be in your share.

What's on your seed list this year?

03/01/2026

Sowing onion seed - https://mailchi.mp/5090ada2bf3c/sowing-onion-seed The first seeding task of the season is sowing flats of onions. They like to start early, so that they have strong, vigorous roots when planted outside.

Onion seed likes to germinate in warm soil, so we put the flats on heat mats. There's no need to heat the greenhouse when the soil is kept warm. Once they have germinated and their grass-like leaves are an inch or two high, they can come off the heat mats.

02/24/2026

After that long cold spell, Polly went out to check on the garlic.

This time of year you'd normally see green sprouts poking through the mulch. She didn't see any. So she dug down to check—and found white roots.

White roots means it's alive. The tops may have died back in the freeze, but the bulbs survived. They'll re-sprout.

Garlic goes in the ground in fall and overwinters under the mulch. By mid-June, it'll be ready to harvest and go into your share.

02/18/2026

It's mid-February and the first seeds of the season are going in.

Polly is setting up heat mats in the greenhouse to start onions—the soil needs to stay warm enough to germinate. These flats will hold about 200 seedlings each.

Onions are always first. Then come the brassicas—cabbage, broccoli, kale. By the time the fields thaw, the greenhouse will be full of starts ready to transplant.

This is our 36th year growing food for families in Roanoke, Salem, and Floyd. Sign up now and pick up your share weekly in Roanoke (at the Co-op or Crystal Spring Grocery), Salem, Floyd, or at our farm in Check.

02/10/2026

Don't throw away those greens!

Pasta with Beet Greens and Baby Beets

1 bunch baby beets with greens
1-2 cloves garlic, crushed
about ¼ cup pine nuts
¼ cup currants (or chopped raisins)
1 sprig basil leaves, chopped
2-3 tablespoons good quality olive oil (for dressing)

Cut the greens off the beets and wash. Chop the greens and roots separately. Boil the roots until almost soft, and then put in the greens. When all is cooked, peel the beets (it’s easier when they’re cooked) and chop small. Drain and mix with the greens and your favorite cooked pasta. While hot, add garlic, pine nuts, basil, currants, and olive oil. Add salt to taste and mix.

02/07/2026

Winter on the farm - https://mailchi.mp/b72f3b5861d5/winter-on-the-farm
Yes, it's been cold! I've never been so grateful for a small house and a lot of firewood.

02/03/2026

Sign-ups are open for the 2026 season.

This will be our 36th year growing food for families in Roanoke, Salem, and Floyd. We're in seed catalog season now—planning what to plant, what varieties to try, dreaming about spring.

If you've been thinking about joining a CSA, this is a good year to try it. We offer 10-week and 20-week shares if you're not ready to commit to a full season, and a sliding scale so cost isn't a barrier.

Pick up your weekly share at the Roanoke Co-op, Crystal Springs Grocery in Roanoke, in Salem, in Floyd, or at the farm in Check.

Sign up here: https://7springscsa.com/csa-online-application/
Questions? [email protected]

2026 CSA Sign-up Form Our 2026 sign-up form will be ready in early February. If you want to be on the mailing list enter your email address below. Membership *New MemberReturning MemberReturning MemberIf your contact information has changed, click this box and update it here.Primary Member Name *Fir...

09/15/2025

Get the kids to do it? Our steers eat grass in the pasture all spring and summer. When the grass stops growing they need hay, Our favorite way to do this is to enlist the help of kids.
- https://mailchi.mp/217c447ea8d2/get-the-kids-to-do-it

09/06/2025

Fall on the farm brings new crops and new chores. Kale is ready to harvest. Broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower, are growing well, and will be harvested throughout the month of October.

05/08/2025

🌱 Join the Seven Springs CSA! 🌱

Looking for farm-fresh veggies without the hassle? We’ve got you covered!

🍓 Straight from the Source: Skip the store – get produce directly from our fields.
🌻 Support Your Community: Keep local farms thriving with every box.
🥗 Taste the Seasons: Discover new, delicious produce every week.
💚 Good for You, Good for the Planet: Fresh, sustainable, and always delicious.

Sign up now and make every meal farm-fresh!

05/05/2025

We had a nice tour sponsored by the Virginia Association for Biological Agriculture and Roanoke Foodshed Network. Here we're talking about the farm implements we use.