Farm News, October 23, 2008

Hi Folks,

While winter is still officially more than 2 months away, the cold weather is coming on fast! Last night we dropped down into the mid 20’s out here in the cold northwestern corner of the state. This constitutes a hard freeze rather than simply a frost, but most of what remains in the field is quite hardy and can endure these temperatures, at least briefly. Several of my workers came to work on Sunday afternoon, to harvest a few crops that I thought might sustain some damage. We harvested the last few tomatoes that had begun to ripen in the greenhouse and tied the leaves over the cauliflower than had begun to form heads. We are busy harvesting the potatoes that remain in the ground and removing trellising and plastic mulch in preparation for planting cover crops. I will also be preparing ground for planting the garlic crop for next year, which we will begin in about 2 weeks. We have begun harvesting broccoli in substantial quantities, but there may not be quite enough for all groups this week. Some groups will receive cauliflower instead, and can expect broccoli in next week’s share. For those who receive broccoli there will also be broccoli leaves, which are quite tasty and nutritious and can be used like kale or as a base for cream of broccoli soup. We are also shipping one of my favorite root vegetables this week Hakurei baby salad turnips. They are sweet and mild flavored and can be used in salad, as you would use radishes or can be cooked, as you prefer. The share for this week will be: Potatoes, onions, buttercup (kabocha) squash, broccoli or cauliflower, salad turnips, choice of a green (arugula, mustard greens, tatsoi) choice of lettuce or escarole, ornamental gourds, and choice of an herb.

Enjoy!
Farmer John