Well, here we are in week 3 of the extended season… and extremely wet and windy. One of the large greenhouse doors kinda blew up a bit and needed rescue (stitch down the edges with screws) after this last couple of days. The funny thing is how the Broccoli and Cauliflower seem to be actually enjoying this –
It doesn’t show up really clearly, but this floret is probably 7″ in diameter. This is a “get out a bunch of Broccoli” week because otherwise it starts pulling up to make flowers – which is NOT the objective. There are fewer Cauliflower this week, as the second types (a purple and another white) are running a little behind. Hopefully you all enjoyed the cauliflower last week. For some reason it is always a bit of a surprise just how good fresh grown Broccoli and Cauliflower taste.
It is looking more and more to be time to pull up the Greenhouse slicer tomatoes. They just do NOT like the cool and dark; flavor is falling off. Last week the irrigation was shut off to them because of excessive splitting of the cherry tomatoes. It is not clear just how long till the impact of less water takes to make a difference. Clearly the slicers just aren’t doing well. Oddly enough, the only large tomatoes that are even close to getting ripe are the “Hillbilly” Yellow. So – if you get a slicer, count yourself blessed and be happy. Friday pick last week only had a handful of cherry tomatoes, because of the splits. So.
Sweet Potatoes are getting their temperature set down from 80F this week to the ‘storage’ temp of 60F. There are two sizes of Sweet Potatoes – roasters are maybe 4-8″ long and rotund. The choppers are all the over the map – but the dominate characteristic is “small and skinny.” The prep of choice here is to peel, chunk, and soup them.
The end of this week is supposed to be drier and a bit sunnier. That will allow a rather frantic cleaning effort in the garden – there are so many totally dead plants that need to be turned into compost, and so much irrigation plumbing that needs to be pulled up, well, it is a lot. The other chore is that all the wind did damage to the electric fence tape here and there. The cows and horses have been holed up under trees so it has not yet been a problem. That said, they just keep planning the great escape which means good fences are good news for the farm.
And it is time to start planning the garden for 2022. Shockingly, seeding for the green season (and winter mini-season) gets started in November… It is a challenge to have carrots for the green season – they need about 3 months with heat and light to do their job. It is worth mentioning to you hardy extended season folks that the farm has to have more members this next year to remain in the CSA business. A farm helper needs to be hired, and that salary needs to be paid so she (the resilient farm helper) can become rich and famous. Or, at a minimum, get paid. In a few weeks you will be asked to tell us what you like and what you would like to change on the CSA; it is also important to get some of your reasons to be in a CSA that can be used to help encourage those next 5-6 members to join in.
So: n-the-box week 3 Extended Season:
| Greens | Nice Lettuces. Some Spinach. White and/or Red Chard; Kale – not much of it, ask. Asian Mustard (ask) – a floret of Broccoli, maybe a head of Cauliflower. There is a head of cabbage – which may have resident insect life. It looks nice, but. |
| Crunchies | Carrots. Yep, Carrots. The Daikon Radishes refuse to grow, it is too dark and cool for them. |
| Herbs | Garlic, Parsley, Arugula, Green Onions, Chives (ask), Fennel! yep, ask if you want a fennel – or be surprised. |
| Other | Cherry Tomatoes, maybe. Slicer tomatoes, maybe.
4-6 apples or more. Mostly the next variety. Pumpkin or Green skin winter squash. somewhat larger sweet potatoes. |
On Deck:
- Cabbage – we will see – there may be more heads develop, Depends On Weather.
