Can you believe there are only 5 CSA deliveries left this season? I hope you've enjoyed the last 13!
On the Farm:
Planting dates at this time of year are so specific. If I plant something a week to early it'll be too big and won't hold into winter, if I plant even a few days too late it won't size up in time. I have years of data and yet, sometimes, it still keeps me up at night. Let's be clear: there will be so much food available this winter, however, I love to push the boundaries and am trying new crops, and trying to keep a steady, highly varied supply as late as possible into the winter.
Now that we have more covered space I can hedge my bets and do big plantings at the key dates I've identified, but continue to plant little bits every few days until we reach the Persephone period in mid November when things stop growing pretty much altogether.
It sounds like I'm complaining, and I am a little bit, but winter farming is perhaps the most magical farming that we do here. We are growing lush, delicious, gorgeous food in the winter. In Canada. In zone 5. It's incredible to see how the plants freeze solid, look dead, then miraculously arise like Lazarus with the help of just a touch of sunshine. It is certainly one of the things that will keep me fascinated on my farming journey over the next few decades.
Over the next few weeks you'll see summer crops falling off the harvest list: cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini's, etc. Fall crops will begin to take their place. I'll miss the tomatoes, but boy, I do love a good tray of roasted root veggies.
Two final notes:
1. Katrina at Meeting Place let me know that there is currently a shortage of egg cartons and she would love it if you could return any clean non-plastic ones.
2. Winter CSA is now 1/3 full, thanks guys! I've added a drop off location on Thursdays at Healthward Bound in Goderich for those of you who would prefer to pick up downtown, rather then at Square Brew. You can sign up through your profile or through this link: https://www.harvie.farm/signup/firmly-rooted-farm
Thanks my veggie loving friends, that's all for now, happy eating until next time!
