What's going on at the farm?
Wow, a whole season has gone by! This is week twenty, the last
delivery of the season. I have got to say, despite the fact
that we have had the hottest August in record, the second driest
summer on record, and the loss of all of the summer crops early
on in the greenhouse due to a disease brought in from the
outside, that this has been one of the best seasons so far. Not
perfect, but that is something to strive for, most likely never
to be obtained......although I still hope to next year ;-) A
few highlights to remember, then a few losses to sorrow over and
look forward to making up for next year:
- Tons and tons of delicious tomatoes!!!! I even have liked
tomatoes this year, a lot! Yes, you got me, up until this point
I have actually been of the take it or leave it catagory. I
will remember, as I am sure Celine and Rachel will also, for
some time the day we actually picked 1,000 lbs. of tomatoes from
our first planting of 600 plants.
- The spring lettuce! How woderfull it was to have salads every
week, endless salads with basamic vinegar and olive oil.
- Pink Beauty radishes! I called it the radish reign of terror,
because I am not all that fond of their taste, but very fond of
their beauty all the same. I once again even couldn’t help
enjoy them, so crisp and juicy.
- Rainbow carrots! How fun and sweet and yummy! Roasted
carrots, fresh carrots, and again rainbow colored carrots, does
it get much better than that!
- The beautiful Zephyr summer squash and zucchinis that just kept
going and going and going and going!!! They were so sweet and
small and pretty all season.
- And those onions and leeks! My goodness. Those of you who
have been with me for a while now know that onions and leeks
have always been a challenge for me. Well, we figured it out
for sure this year. I plan on growing even more next year.
Isn’t it nice to be able to chop an onion and throw it in the
mix every time you cook?
- As for the losses, probably none was so deeply felt than the
strawberries. Well, we get another shot again this year
luckily, and are going to be planting for next year in two
weeks. I will give them love and attention galore this winter
and spring in hopes that we will have these luscious berries a
plenty next spring at the onset of the season.
- Melons....boo hooooo. Losing them in the greenhouse due to the
phytopthera threw them all off, although we did buy some
cantaloupe transplants and were able to enjoy them for one week.
They unfortunately came on all at one time, we had a gazillion
melons all in one week! Next season we will try more varieties,
space out the plantings, and will have watermelons for you all
as well.
- Heirloom tomatoes....well, we will see the Cherokee Purple,
Green Zebras and German Johnson again next season as they are so
pretty and yummy how can we resist? That darn phytopthera, it
can’t hold us back!
- Peppers....boo hoo again. We missed the pretty yellow and red
bells as well as the slightly hot Pablanos this August, but next
season they will be back with a vigor for sure.
Ahhh farming, you have to take the good with the bad. As I said
though, I think it was a good season all and all. The quality
and quantity of what we did have available was such that I was
proud of and I hope you all enjoyed yourselves. Also, what a
work crew this year, one of the best. These gals go down in the
record books for super hard work and super cook personalities.
Celine is off in a month to take a long bike trip from Vancouver
to California, I am so jealous!
I will be in touch with folks soon about resigning up, yes,
planning for next year already. I will need to get a formal yes
or no on a reservation by Nov. 15th as that is the date that I
start signing up new folks. I like to give you all a chance to
reserve your spot first though, as I love returning members and
getting to know folks over the years. So, like I said, I will be
in touch with you on how to reserve your spot soon, most likely
via snail mail so watch out in your mail box and let me know if
your physical address has change.
Also, I am planning a volunteer work day for you all for the
middle of October, as close to the 15th as I can. We will be
planting garlic, which is a fun easy thing for members to do
together. I have enjoyed the help I have gotten from you all
over the years on this job.
Well, that is all for 2007. Please send me any feedback you may
have if you want, it is always appreciated! Have a great fall
and winter. Elise.