“Farming teaches us that resilience isn’t measured by the storms we face, but by what remains standing when the skies clear. Every season brings challenges and triumphs alike, and through each one, we are reminded that nature rewards patience, preparation, and perseverance. Together, we’re cultivating more than food—we’re cultivating a healthier future for our community and generations to come.”
Dear Living City Farms Family,
Dear Living City Farms Family,
Welcome to Week 2 of the 2026 Outdoor CSA Season!
Last weekend brought severe weather and tornado warnings across Northeast Ohio, leaving many anxiously watching the skies. Thanks to a little preparation—and perhaps a little luck—we arrived Monday morning to discover little to no damage across the farm.
Farmer Liz spent much of the weekend battening down row covers and securing vulnerable crops in advance of the storms, and we’re incredibly grateful to report that our fields weathered the event beautifully. Our crops emerged largely unscathed and ready to continue growing into the summer ahead.
Final Field Plantings Underway
This week marks an exciting milestone as we complete the final outdoor plantings of the season.
Our last quadrants will soon be home to: Carolina Raspberries, Sweetheart Blueberries, Pumpkins & Boutique Squash Varieties.
Both the raspberries and blueberries are natural favorites for the Northeast Ohio climate. Living City Farms lies within USDA Hardiness Zone 6b, a region characterized by cold winters and warm, humid summers. This growing zone provides excellent conditions for many perennial fruits, allowing them to establish deep roots and provide abundant harvests for years to come.
As these final plantings go into the ground, our focus will gradually shift from establishment to stewardship—trellising, pruning, cultivating, and maintaining the beautiful living systems that make our farm productive and resilient.
Strawberry U-Pick Update
Unfortunately, we had to cancel this weekend’s Strawberry U-Pick event.
Between heavy rains and exceptionally strong berry demand from both our retail patrons and wholesale partners, our strawberry patch simply needed time to recover and replenish. While we were disappointed to postpone the event, we remain hopeful that yields may rebound by the end of June and allow us to reschedule.
Stay tuned to our Facebook, Instagram, and Farmer’s Blog for updates—we would love nothing more than to welcome everyone back into the berry patch soon!
A Taste of Maui Comes to Ohio
One of the most vigorous and exciting crops in the field this season has been our Bitter Melon.
Farmer Liz brought these seeds back from her most recent consulting visit to Hale Akua Garden Farm & Eco Retreat Center in Maui, Hawaii. Widely appreciated throughout Asia and tropical regions, bitter melon has been cultivated for centuries for both its culinary versatility and traditional wellness benefits.
To everyone’s delight, the plants have absolutely thrived in our Ohio summer conditions and currently stand among the healthiest and most vigorous crops on the farm.
We’re excited to share this unique crop with CSA members later this season and introduce our community to a flavor beloved around the world.
This Week’s CSA Harvest
Basic Share
• Living City Garden Dill-Light Mayo Aioli
(Featuring Living City Farms Thalia Dill and farm fresh organic egg-based mayonnaise)
• Cruiser Cilantro
• Confetti Radish Microgreens
• Purslane
• Farm Fresh Multicolor Eggs
• Tallmadge Harvest Pesto
(Lemon, Sweet Genovese Basil, and Garlic Scape Pesto)
• Lemon Days & Purple Haze Tea
• Islander Bell Spice OR
• Leaf & Life Superfood Powder
Premium Share Additions
• Melon Shoots OR Cilantro Microgreens
• Purple Palm Balm
(Purple Dead Nettle and Lemon Balm Muscle Salve)
• Fresh Strawberries (yield permitting)
• Dandy Chews
(Dandelion Fruit Chews)
CSA Recipe Corner
Dill-Light Veggie Dip
Use Living City Garden Dill-Light Mayo Aioli as a dip for fresh vegetables, roasted potatoes, or as a sandwich spread.
Tallmadge Harvest Pesto Pasta
Toss your Tallmadge Harvest Pesto with warm pasta and finish with fresh confetti radish microgreens for a vibrant summer meal.
Purslane Garden Salad
Combine purslane, cilantro, microgreens, and sliced vegetables with olive oil and lemon juice for a refreshing nutrient-dense salad.
Egg & Herb Breakfast Toast
Top toasted bread with sliced hard-boiled eggs and a spoonful of Dill-Light Mayo Aioli. Garnish with cilantro and microgreens.
Purple Haze Iced Tea
Serve Lemon Days & Purple Haze Tea chilled over ice with lemon slices and a drizzle of local honey for a refreshing summer beverage.
Stay Connected
Be sure to visit the Farmer’s Blog and follow us on social media for:
• Farm events
• Harvest updates
• Educational workshops
• Volunteer opportunities
• Seasonal recipes
• Behind-the-scenes farm projects
Thank you for supporting local agriculture, local families, and a vision of farming that seeks to regenerate both land and community.
We are honored to share another growing season with you.
See you on the farm!
With gratitude,
The Living City Farms Team
Farmer Liz, Emily, Jake, Mandy, Jess, Dom
