Dead Houseplants: CSA Summer ’15 ” Week #17 (EO-A)

 In CSA Newsletter

Another (Nearly) Dead Houseplant

The other day I looked up at my philodendron hanging by the window and noticed it was completely dead.

I had to laugh.

Instantly I was brought back to a time when Mike and I were first dating. He had complimented me on all of my beautiful houseplants and then remarked that he was unable to keep a houseplant alive.

I found this both comical and hard to believe. Here was this amazing guy starting his own farm and he couldn’t keep a house plant alive?

Nine years later my beautiful houseplants are mostly gone; I am down to 3 succulents of varying health.

What I understand now is that Mike’s inability to keep a houseplant alive was not due to a lack of skill, rather a lack of energy and desire.

As the years have ticked by, an increasing proportion of my day is spent in the endeavor of keeping something else healthy and alive – the crops, the chickens, the pigs, my kids, our pets, the perennials around the house, the fruit trees, and all the seedlings in the greenhouse.  For many months, our daily rhythm is contained by the need to water, water, and water some more.

So one could argue I can’t (or don’t) keep houseplants alive anymore because I’m tapped out on that.  It’s simply too much to remember to keep the ones in the house alive too.

Another reason I’ve lost my green thumb in the house? I no longer need or desire houseplants. This is the other thing I’ve come to understand over the years. I love growing things and I love being outside in lush green places. And I am lucky enough that all I have to do is walk out my door to be surrounded by the pulse of thriving plants. Being blessed in this way has made my desire to need or want plants in my home obsolete. I don’t water my houseplants anymore, because I can just walk outside and satisfy that craving to witness something green and beautiful.

In other words, dead houseplants are a symbol of the blessed life I get to live on our farm.

So rest in peace, my dear philodendron.  I’m off to the fields.

Enjoy your veggies!

Sincerely, Cassie, Mike, kiddos and crew

In the Box:

  • Beets, Red or Gold
  • Chinese Cabbage
  • Garlic
  • Leeks
  • Onion, Sweet White (2nd)
  • Pepper, Anaheim
  • Pepper, Sweet Carmen
  • Pepper, Yellow or Red Bell
  • Potato, Blue Gold
  • Sweet Dumpling Squash
  • Sweet Potato

REGs only:

  • Delicata Squash
  • Red Bottle Onion

EOs only:

  • Acorn Squash
  • Carrots
  • Head Lettuce
  • Red Cippollini Onion

Weekly Recipes:

  1. Acorn Squash Risotto with Pistachios
  2. Roasted Chinese Cabbage with Sausage
  3. Roasted Blue Potatoes with Onions
  4. Sweet Potato Scones with Brown Sugar Frosting
  5. Beet Salad with Goat Cheese and Walnuts
  6. Leek Bruschetta
  7. Acorn Squash and Brandied Soup with Popcorn Croutons
  8. Chicken and Chinese Cabbage Salad
  9. Blue Gold Potato Gratin
  10. Sweet Potato Posole with Pork
  11. Ginger Glazed Beets
  12. Leek and Cabbage Barlotto
  13. Acorn Squash and Beef Chili
  14. Salisbury Steak with Onion, Pepper, and Mushroom Gravy

Wednesday, September 30th” EO Group A