Hello all.
Jack Frost has come. We weren’t hit hard, but we weren’t spared either. The most sensitive things in the garden (like basil) are done. Most things were covered and will continue growing.
As the autumnal equinox approaches, I feel a noticeable weight lifting from my shoulders. The farm season is a long cycle of preparation, execution, and recovery. At this point in the year we feel like we’ve played all our cards and now just need to follow through to completion. It’s a relief to hit the point where I just can’t do anything more. It’s a good place for me because I generally stress myself out trying to do one more thing. I used to be really frustrated by the full stop that winter dealt me each year, but now I am slowly coming to a place of thankfulness towards it. It’s a forced rest.
Having the “push” factor removed also allows us to take a look around us and enjoy the beauty and abundance. The colors are starting to change around here and that’s always beautiful. Ripping dead plants out of the garden makes you realize just how ephemeral and miraculous the explosion of summer green really was in a way that you can’t quite appreciate when you are working your butt off just to stay on top of the weeds.
Some signs of the season ending are in your share. This week holds some of the last of the summer harvests. Things like melons just barely ripen in time for fall this far north. Other things like Tomatoes and Cucumbers and Peppers are still gasping along and will slowly peter away. Greens will increase in the cool weather.
Even if you're sick of the summer staples like zucchini, make sure you pay attention to these last ones--by the time March rolls around you’ll wish them back heartily. So savor these last bites.
In your share:
Zuchini
Peppers
Tomatoes
Watermelon
Tulsi
Carrots
Kale
Arugula