We give ourselves a generous snack budget during this cold, dark month. Needing the extra fuel to keep going and stay warm. Cider donuts, cookies, or Ben's famous popovers are a welcome mid-morning treat. The coffee is flowing steadily at a rate of two pots per day for our crew. Doing our best to embrace the changes, and put the YES in (no)-vember!
This is a big month of transition for the land and for our work. Mornings are frosty and we have to wait until the afternoon sun warms the ground enough to begin harvest. We've wrapped up bulk harvesting carrots. We had a bumper crop this year, so we're able to donate three beds of carrots to Willing Hands which feels great!
After a gorgeous extended season for our field greens, we're moving into the hoop houses for greens harvest now, and beginning kraut and kimchi production in a big way. Nights have been dipping down into the 20's which sweetens the cabbages to perfection for our kraut. Seth is pictured here harvesting one of our 10 lb kraut cabbages. And yes, there is someone there to catch this beautiful cabbage and place it lovingly into a bin.
Tips & Tricks- No Root Cellar? No problem!
Wondering where to store your winter veg long-term? Any area of your home that stays below 60°F (but above freezing) is a candidate; use a thermometer to monitor the temperature. Some good options to consider include:
- Under basement steps, especially those leading from the basement to an attached garage
- In an extra room with the heating vents closed (where plumbing is not dependent on the vents to keep from freezing)
- In a closet on an exterior wall, especially one with northern exposure
- In an unheated attic
- On an unheated porch or deck
- In a well-ventilated garage or shed (produce breathes and can absorb vapor, so skip these areas if gas or chemical fumes are present)
- In an unheated entryway or mudroom.
Whatever location you choose, you’ll want to keep the temperature as constant as possible. You can improve your odds by using insulated coolers or boxes lined with straw or newspaper where appropriate.
Seasonal Recipes
