Hi Members!
The weather did a special event last week between Wednesday pick and Friday pick: A very light freeze. It is, in the academic sense, an interesting event. Generally, say, 5 years ago, a frost would come at the end of September. The weather shift moved that to a place where a frost could be as late as early November – 2020 for example. There is a old rule of thumb here that “the last frost can be as late as April 15; the first frost as early as October 1.” Well, 2021 did both. There was a 28F freeze literally April 15 (which toasted cucumbers and some other early plants) and now this one.
So, here are the immediate consequences:
- Melons. They are a very tender vine, and they are totally dead. R.I.P.
- Summer Squash, Peppers, Sweet Potatoes. They are mostly dead, although there are some examples of mostly live. The peppers in particular seem to be making their way back. The sweet potato structure under the taller vines is looking mostly alive. Summer squash is spotty. The plants are distributed all around the garden, and so some of them are mostly alive. Some of them are mostly dead.
- Beans and Cucumbers. The beans generally did okay. There are some damaged plants mostly at the end of the rows; but it looks like there will be beans on for a while, although the big yield seems to be past. The Cukes are not looking good; one or two plants seem to be stronger than the Lime cucumber, which looks really sad.
- Winter Squash: Toast. Expired. Gone. Now, that isn’t awful since it is getting to be time to start pulling the squash and setting it out to cure a bit.
- Flowers: The flower farmer is exceptionally picky about the condition of flowers. The week ended with heavy rain, which the farm really needed – the roses weren’t too pleased about getting their blooms wet. It is not at all clear how the arrangement process will play out this week.
And that’s the story of the early frost of ’21 here at the farm.
Last week three members took decor gourds, and one took quite a few for a gathering to use for center pieces. After sharing a picture, they looked great. There are more gourds available, and small pumpkins and other winter squash. If you have not gotten gourds, you have to ask. The gourds are not part of “farmer’s choice.” The common decor items: Corn Stalks (farm visit to get); Small pumpkins (although there are two ginormous pumpkins of mystery origins); gourds.
So – this is week 18; that means two more weeks of main season, and eight more weeks till the CSA shuts down till winter season next year. Time does go quickly!
And now, here’s what will be coming in this week – week 18.
| Greens | New Lettuce. Some Spinach. White and/or Red Chard; Kale – not much of it, ask. |
| Crunchies | Misc. Summer Squash: hook neck, patty pan, zucchini. May not have enough for everyone! Carrots (Sugarsnax54), Cucumbers (may run out), Chocolate mini-bell peppers. Big Bells. |
| Herbs | Garlic, Arugula, Green Onions, Chives if you ask, Basil, Cilantro (nice leaf structure), Oregano. Hot pepper, zero to 3 or 4? ( |
| Other | Yellow or Red Beefsteak, Slicer and Cherry Tomatoes, 1-3″ beets with greens, Pears. No Potatoes. 🙁 Flower of the week will be mystery arrangement or roses. Optional Eggplant (ask) – Small red Apples.
Yellow Crabs? Gallon or more?; Quince? (one hardy member took Quince… Hopefully she survived.) Pumpkin? Green beans, although running down. Some Corn. Any decor squash? Corn Stalks available farm-call only. |
Next Week:
- Winter Squash
On Deck:
- Cauliflower (plants are 6-8″ – creating creche for new heads. Hope springs eternal.
- Broccoli: same story as Cauliflower. Bummer.
- Cabbage – 2-4 weeks out. Still. Happier in the cool weather.
- Pumpkins
- Winter Squash
- Sweet Potatoes
