November 2020

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What a strange fall! Well, what a strange year, right? Amazingly mild temperatures, we have dipped below freezing only once, and that but a week ago and with little damage done.  Next week promises colder temperatures—it’s ok, it is December next week!

We have been grateful for this milder weather, as it has given us time to work on the new high tunnel. The frame is up, sides are on, now waiting for heaters, fans, and end walls. Then on to the next one. We finished the new unheated tunnel, and spinach is up and looking great. Pomegranate trees will be planted shortly.

The outside harvests have continued with barely a twitch, as these crops thrive in cool weather. Broccoli, cauliflower, and salad turnips have filled out those CSA bags, and the kale, collards, mustard greens keep growing and have provided multiple harvests. Kohlrabi is coming soon! We have transplanted a few crops into a tunnel to extend their harvest.

In the meantime, the hydro house has been producing many of the delicious greens that have been in the shares, from herbs like parsley, basil, and cilantro, to lettuces and arugula. Our tunnel which provided tomatoes last spring and all summer is now hosting snap peas (just starting) as well as romaine and other greens.  It is exciting to continue the harvests even though the weather is less hospitable to growing.  Our mission is to grow crops without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, so working with the environment is key. Cold-friendly crops flourish with a little protection in the winter.

And then, of course, there is clean up. Clean the equipment, clean out old vines, clean out plastic mulch (since it is bio-degradable, only about half is left of what was laid down in the spring). And the fun part, plan the next plantings, order seeds, dream the impossible dreams (perfect weather and ground conditions, no COVID!). Well, we can plan and order seeds. We have a seed saving program for some of our favorites, including a robust romaine that grows quickly and has excellent size per head. Those are currently planted in one of the high tunnels for our fall/early winter romaine.

Thanksgiving continues in spirit around here, as we are grateful for our families, our staff, and our customers, every day. Thank you for your part in our community!

 

Ruth

November 27, 2020

 

 

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