Skye’s Garden Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Project –2025

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What is a CSA?

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a partnership between a grower and a group of patrons who commit to purchasing a share of the season’s harvest. CSAs facilitate low-impact, local food production by providing cash to the farmer when they need it the most: before the season begins. Patrons pay upfront, helping the farmer cover essential costs like seeds, soil amendments, and infrastructure. In return, they receive a share of the harvest during the season. This form of patronage is often used by people that want to support local food production or unconventional farming practices (organic, permaculture, et cet.) at least as much as they want to enjoy fresh vegetables.

My CSA has two forms: a full-season subscription for patrons for $550 or a single pre-purchased basket of produce for a specific month at $50.

Why a CSA? I’m running a CSA project because I need the cash to install the infrastructure. I cannot grow on the scale I want to this year without an irrigation system, and the system needs to be installed before I start planting out or sowing seeds in the garden.

But money is only one part of this project. I’m running a CSA because I need people to share the produce with. I need to get the food from my garden onto people’s plates. If I had any disappointments about my growing in 2024, it was that so much of the food didn’t get to people. If I have a pool of patrons, not only is some of the food pre-paid for, but I have a group of people to whom I can gift surplus without any additional fuss. That’s what I need! The CSA also creates external accountability for the entire garden. It creates commitment, and I find this helpful for maintaining project momentum.

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By pre-purchasing a full season of produce, you’re helping facilitate the entire project. By pre-purchasing a basket of food, you’re giving me a reason to grow.

Sign Up / Get More Information

To become an patron of Skye’s Garden, please contact Skye directly by telephone at 250-248-9929 or fill out this Contact Form 

Here is an overview of the project:

$550 Full season produce subscription for patrons.

Pre-order and provide a $225.00 deposit (balance due on/by May 15) to receive the following perks:

  • 10 baskets of produce from late May to Thanksgiving valued at at least $600.
  • Maximum flexibility. By keeping the CSA small, I can offer my full-season patrons flexibility with pick-up dates and basket contents.
  • Priority access to additional offerings. If I have additional produce for sale, full season patrons will be the first to know about it.
  • I take requests. I may not be able to fulfill ever request, but if you want cucumbers or beans for pickling or if you would like an extra large portion of tomatoes to make sauce – I can do that. Just ask.
  • Bonus herbs, seeds, and flowers with every basket. The only herbs included in the value of the basket contents are basil, parsley, dill, chives, and cilantro. The bonus herbs may include things like celery seed for your spice cupboard or a blend of chamomile, mint, and lemon balm for tea. Fun stuff that I like to grow and want to share.
  • Extra produce. The whole reason I want patrons is so that I have people to share food with. I am not always going to have the energy to sell extra produce, so my full-season patrons may occasional receive extra-large portions.
  • Formal feedback. Patrons will be asked to provide formal feedback after basket #4 to ensure that they’re satisfied with the subscription contents, value, and their patronage overall.

$50 Basket of summer produce for patrons.

Here’s how it works:

  • Pre-order and pay for a basket of produce for the month you wish to purchase.
  • I will contact you at the beginning of that month to select a date for basket pick-up or delivery.
  • Customization. Depending on what produce is available at the time, you may be able to customize the contents. I will provide details when I contact you to select a pick-up/delivery date.
  • I’ll prepare the basket and have it ready for pick-up or deliver as arranged.
  • Expect the basket to be similar to that of a full-season patron, but with a predictable, fixed value of $50.00.
  • Extra perks: requests, priority access to other offerings, extra produce (see full season subscription for details).
  • No risk: if I’m not able to provide a basket due to crop failure or other issues, I will issue a full refund by the end of the month the basket is due.

$7 1 doz eggs when included with a basket or purchased as a subscription.

  • Eggs can be added on to a basket or full season subscription.
  • Eggs can be pre-ordered by monthly subscription.
  • No risk: the egg subscription includes a *refund for an eggs we’re not able to provide*.

$8 1 doz eggs on the farmstand/at the market

$0.75 delivery fee per km.

Subject to availability

Each CSA bundle is thoughtfully curated with seasonal, fresh produce, along with flowers and herbs from the garden.

One-time basket patrons can expect a consistent size and value of $50.

Full-season patrons can expect the size of their baskets to vary over the season:

The first three bundles (late May–June) are smaller, with early greens and herbs.

The largest bundles arrive in August–October, as summer crops peak and storage vegetables are ready.

Here's a sample of what full-season patrons might receive:

Example Bundles

Late May Bundle

Arugula, basil, beets, broccolini, chives, cilantro, kale, lettuce (4 small/medium heads), mustard & Asian greens, scallions, parsley, snow or snap peas, radishes, spinach.

Estimated Value: $48.00

The early season bundles are lighter as we wait for the summer warmth, but still packed with flavourful greens and fresh herbs.


August Bundle

Arugula, snap beans, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, cucumbers, dill, figs (1 dozen), sweet onions (2 lbs), zucchini or patty pan (2 small/average pieces), 1 lb grape/cherry tomatoes, 2.5 lbs slicer tomatoes.

Estimated Value: $60.00

Mid-season bundles are fuller, with summer vegetables like tomatoes, zucchini, and even figs making their way into your kitchen.


Thanksgiving Bundle

Beets, drying/shelling beans, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, celery, chives, parsley, garlic, onions, scallions, 1 pie pumpkin, 1 winter squash, 1–2 rutabaga.

Estimated Value: ~$75.00 (depending on the size of the squash, cabbage, and cauliflower)

The season ends with the biggest bundles, perfect for your holiday table.


Herbs & Flowers

Every bundle comes with fresh herbs and flowers from the garden. Herbs like basil, dill, parsley, chives, and cilantro are included as part of your vegetable share. All other herbs (rosemary, thyme, oregano, etc.), plus flowers and occasional seedlings, are a bonus gift from me to you. You can even make special requests for your favourite herbs!

This is how I estimated the value of the subscription, but this is not necessarily what will be delivered. It all depends on what is ready when, what grows, and what gets eaten by critters. Some crops are priced by size (cabbage, cauliflower, pumpkin, and winter squash), so the table lists the minimum value. The offering size should also be considered an estimate, as I am aiming to provide exceptionally generous portions in my first year - a way of thanking folks for their patience while I continue to learn.

How to Read the Chart

  1. Vegetable/Herb/Fruit: Listed in the first column.
  2. Portion Size: The second column shows what a typical portion looks like in a bundle (e.g., 1 bunch of carrots or 2 lbs of tomatoes).
  3. Frequency: The third column tells you how many times you’ll receive that item throughout the season. Some crops, like cabbage or winter squash, may appear once, while others, like lettuce or kale, will show up more often.
  4. Value: The fourth column is the estimated value of that item if it were sold at a farmers' market.

Name

Offering size

Value / offering

# of offerings

Season Value

Apples

2 lbs

$5.00

1

$5.00

Artichoke

2 buds

$10.00

2

$20.00

Arugula (Diplotaxis tenuifolia)

1 handful/bunch

$2.00

6

$12.00

Basil

1 handful

$2.00

3

$6.00

Beans (Shelling)

2 lbs

$5.00

1

$5.00

Beans (Snap)

1 lb

$5.00

6

$30.00

Beets

4-5 beets

$5.00

6

$30.00

Black Currants or Blackberries

 

$4.00

1

$4.00

Broad Beans

1 lb

$5.00

1

$5.00

Broccoli

1 crown or 1 bunch of florets

$5.00

6

$30.00

Broccolini

1 bunch

$5.00

3

$15.00

Brussels Sprouts

 

$5.00

1

$5.00

Cabbage

1 head

$5.00

4

$20.00

Carrots

1 bunch

$5.00

6

$30.00

Cauliflower

1 head

$6.00

4

$24.00

Celery

bunch of stems

$2.50

4

$10.00

Chives

handful

$2.00

3

$6.00

Cilantro

handful

$2.00

3

$6.00

Cucumbers

depends on harvest

$5.00

5

$25.00

Dill

 

$2.00

3

$6.00

Garlic

2 bulbs

$5.00

2

$10.00

Green Figs

1 doz

$10.00

1

$10.00

Kale

1 bunch

$3.00

6

$18.00

Kohlrabi

2-3 pieces

$5.00

1

$5.00

Leek

6-8 leeks

$5.00

1

$5.00

Lettuce

1-2 head

$5.00

6

$30.00

Lettuce (Romaine)

1-2 heads

$5.00

6

$30.00

Mustard & Asian Greens

1 bunch

$2.50

6

$15.00

Onions

2-3 lbs

$5.00

2

$10.00

Onions (Scallions)

1 bunch

$2.00

6

$12.00

Onions (Shallots)

1 lb

$5.00

1

$5.00

Parsley

bunch of stems

$2.00

3

$6.00

Parsnips

1 bunch

$5.00

1

$5.00

Peas

1 lb snap or snow; 2 lbs shelling

$5.00

6

$30.00

Peppers

Produce of 2 bell pepper plants + .5 of a serrano, jalepeno, and NuMex Joe E. Parker plant.

$10.00

1

$10.00

Potatoes

2 lbs

$5.00

2

$10.00

Pumpkin

1 pie pumpkin

$5.00

1

$5.00

Radishes

1 bunch of 8-10 radishes

$2.00

4

$8.00

Rhubarb

1 bunch

$5.00

1

$5.00

Rutabaga

2 bulbs

$5.00

1

$5.00

Spinach

1 bunch

$4.00

6

$24.00

Squash (Summer)

2 pieces (2 patty pan; 2 small zucchini)

$4.00

4

$16.00

Squash (Winter)

1 squash

$5.00

1

$5.00

Tomatoes (Beefsteak)

2.5 lbs

$5.00

2

$10.00

Tomatoes (Grape)

1 lb

$2.50

2

$5.00

Tomatoes (Plum)

2.5 lbs

$5.00

2

$10.00

Tomatoes (Slicer)

2.5 lbs

$5.00

2

$10.00

Turnip

1 bunch, like a radish bunch or a kohlrabi bunch… depending on the size of the turnips

$4.00

1

$4.00

Special Note on Peppers

This season, I’m planting 2 bell pepper plants and 1.5 hot pepper plants per share, plus a generous buffer. You can expect: 2–4 bell peppers plus a mix of Anaheim, serrano, and jalapeño peppers.

I’m estimating their total value at $10 per share. Peppers will not be ready until very late in the season.

May

    • Produce: Arugula, beets, broccoli florets, broccolini, kale, mustard, Asian greens, lettuce, scallions, peas (snow or snap), spinach, radish, salad turnip. Possibly rhubarb.

    • Floral: Tulip, ranunculus, anemone.

    • Herbs: Chives, cilantro, parsley, basil.

June

    • Produce: Arugula, beets, broccoli crowns & florets, broccolini, kale, mustard, Asian greens, lettuce, scallions, peas (snow or snap), spinach, radish, salad turnip, carrots, shallots, garlic scapes, new potatoes, possibly cabbage and currants.

    • Floral: Tulip, ranunculus, anemone.

    • Herbs: Chives, cilantro, parsley, basil.

July

    • Produce: Artichoke, snap beans, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, broccolini, lettuce, cucumbers, shallots/onions, scallions, potatoes, grape or cherry tomatoes, kale, spinach, summer squash.

    • Floral: Anemone, dahlia, gladiolus, zinnia, summer annuals.

    • Herbs: Parsley, basil, dill.

August

    • Produce: Beans, broccoli/broccolini, cabbage, carrots cauliflower, tomatoes, onions/shallots, peppers, cucumbers, potatoes, summer squash. Lettuce and other greens are harder to provide in August.

    • Floral: Dahlia, gladiolus, summer annuals, sunflower, amaranth, artichoke.

    • Herbs: Parsley, basil, dill.

September

    • Produce: Practically everything should be available – from artichoke to zucchini.

    • Floral: Dahlia, summer annuals, sunflower, amaranth.

    • Herbs: Parsley, basil, dill, chives.

October – Thanksgiving Bundle

    • Produce:

      • 1 bunch each of carrots, beets, radish, turnip, and celery (~$12–15).

      • 2 small heads of lettuce, 1 bunch of mixed kale, 1 bag spinach, 1 bag pac choi, 1 head of Tokyo Bekkana mustard (~$15).

      • 1 small sugar (pie) pumpkin + 1–2 winter squash (~$15).

      • 1 bunch broccoli or 1 crown, 1 winter cabbage, 1 cauliflower (if available), 1 rutabaga, 1 bunch Brussels sprouts (~$25).

      • 2–3 lbs storage onions or shallots, 1–2 garlic, 1 bunch scallions, 1 bunch leeks (~$12).

    • Floral: Jack-Be-Little and Baby Boo pumpkins (also edible!), millet, dried poppy heads, strawflowers.

    • Herbs: Parsley, dill seed, celery seed, bundle of savoury herbs (sage, rosemary, thyme, savory, oregano, marjoram), bundle of herbal tea (chamomile, lemon balm, orange balm, mint).

IF rutabaga and brussels sprouts aren’t ready for harvest by October, I’ll contact patrons for pick-up when they are ready.

Additional Offerings

    • Figs: Ready July-August.

    • Artichokes: Ready July.

    • Seed crops: If successful, small quantities of sunflowers, amaranth, quinoa, millet, mustard, sesame, cumin, caraway, poppy, parsley, and celery may be shared.

    • Excess produce: Patrons have first access to any extra harvests.

    • Bulk crop add-ons: current ideas include extra tomatoes, onions, drying beans, figs, pickling cucumbers, apples, garlic.

 

Sign Up / Get More Information

To become an patron of Skye’s Garden, please contact Skye directly by telephone at 250-248-9929 or fill out this Contact Form