The Fall Crop
It’s been my goal, since the inception of the farm, to grow year round. To say that we’ve been hit with setbacks is a tremendous understatement. Last year, everything that could have gone wrong did and what did survive that slow moving train wreck, was discovered by the deer. Or the aphids. We spent our designated wad on the expansion of raised beds and didn’t have a lot to show for it. This year, the expansion was the greenhouse and irrigation, which also suffered time consuming setbacks. How hard it is for the company to replace two pieces that showed up bent? Apparently, it takes that particular greenhouse company several tries over several months to send correct parts. The only problem with setting up the irrigation was that it took quite a bit longer than I liked. And once a season is over, it really is over. Next year, our designated farm wad for expansion will be spent on beautifying the outlying areas. The challenges will be getting rid of a couple of yards of rocks and some railroad ties. That I can forsee, anyway.
Through a year of soil ammendments, this year’s plantings got sidelined by a toddler. Don’t ask. We still managed to get all but one bed planted. So what if the tomatoes were planted in late July? I was just thrilled I got three hundred tomato plants in the ground in between potty training and toddler meltdowns, of which there were many. Thank gawd for naps. At nap time, it’s a marathon to get as much done as possible before nap is over. It’s like working in fast forward. For two hours. If I’m lucky. If I’m not lucky, I get busted halfway through a project because nap was only an hour and then it takes several hours to finish.
Where was I? Oh yes, year round growing. Focus! For the first time since we started this endeavor, I’ll be planting fall vegetables and greens. Many of them will last through the winter. At least, that’s the plan. There will be carrots, beets, and turnips. Lots of asian greens including pac choi and tatsoi. And the winter lettuces! And of course spinach, peas, and rabe. I’m getting exhausted just thinking about it.