Since we started farming, I can count the number of sub twenty degree days on one hand. Winter season success depends on establishing vegetables in late November, then taking all precautions necessary to ensure they survive until Spring. Despite all the tools in our arsenal like caterpillar tunnels, floating row cover, low tunnels, and crop planning; weather events like this cold front, provide a fair amount of unknowns and anxiety. Our row cover can protect down to zero degrees, but the drastic change in temperature from seventy to below twenty degrees can prove too much for even cool season crops. The wind advisories are also decreasing it's effectiveness. The vegetables simply don't have enough time to convert starch to sugars in their cells, thus the cell walls rupture when frozen. As I'm typing this, we have yet to experience the full effects of this cold front. I want to be transparent that there is a slight possibility that some crops in the inventory will not survive. Worst case scenario- I may have to make inventory adjustments to the farm shares on Monday before finalizing the delivery.
Due to the weather, carrots and radishes will not include their tops. The carrot greens have been damaged from frost, and do not store well in the fridge. Carrots bags will remain at one pound for the rest of the season. We had more sensitive crops to cover besides radishes, so we decided to harvest all but one row. Radishes and carrots are good storage crops in our walk-in cooler, so we have a guaranteed amount to cover the last three weeks of the season. It's one of the best times of the year for tasty root crops. Up north, they call over-wintered carrots "candy carrots". Radishes lose some that spiciness, and are also sweeter than any other time of the year. The purple scallions might be the most cold-hardy crop currently growing, so expect them in shares the rest of the season.
Our leafy green crops are most susceptible to the change in temperature, in particular, lettuce. Between our outside and caterpillar tunnel plantings, we have more than enough for the rest of the season, but we will just have to see if any damage occurs in the next few days. We have done everything in our power. The tunnel lettuce is protected by a plastic covering, then two layers of zero degree row cover. The same can be said about the arugula, endive, tatsoi, Tokyo bekana (salad green), bok choys, and kale we have growing in tunnels under double row cover. If the storm destroys our outside crops (small chance), then we will finish the season with the aforementioned vegetables, plus roots. Due to damage sustained in the first extreme temperature change earlier this month, we decided not to protect a significant portion of our outdoor kale. Due to limited inventory, kale will only be an add-on or extra after this week. Our broccolini plants are covered, but unfortunately, the end of their harvest window is drawing near. There will be a few bundles this week as extras, but next week will most likely be the last for broccolini. I have to say they have been one of my favorite crops this season. I hope y'all enjoyed them! They will be back in the Spring!!
There are more shares being delivered and picked up each week than ever. Kaden and I challenged ourselves to continue production through the cool months, and we are just three weeks away from achieving our goal. Thanks for joining the adventure! Most of my anxiety and nervousness around this storm comes from crop failure limiting your choice of vegetables. We want to curate diverse farm shares for all taste buds, that make you excited about cooking and eating local food. I sincerely appreciate it when y'all are understanding, but if you are ever disappointed with the choice of vegetables, or sad about a particular crop failure, LET US KNOW, hold us accountable, and demand perfection! There is no better motivation for improvement than a negative customer experience. Our main sales outlet is the farm shares. The sustainability and direction of our farm depends on your satisfaction and season to season renewal. The farm shares have improved over the years through feedback from our members. Features like customization, convenient pick up locations, and specialty vegetables have all been incorporated via honest and direct conversations with y'all. Next week, the farm happening will include a link to short, end of the season survey. The survey will be anonymous, so please be as transparent and honest as possible. The more feedback we receive, the more our farm shares will improve next season.
Thank you all for trusting us to grow your food. I hope y'all stay warm this week! We surely won't! An easy way to warm up is with soup, or a bowl of ramen! Members Ron and Delia shared some of their homecooked meals on social media. I'm always impressed by member's creativity in the kitchen. Ron prepared a cabbage soup using mainly ingredients from his farm share. Delia posted her spicy ramen, with kale and carrots! I love how both of these dishes combine the root veg and leafy greens! Their socials are great follows for inspiring farm share meals!
