The kids build a fire in our woodstove (with close parental supervision!).
We had an absolutely lovely long Thanksgiving weekend with visits with family on both sides (and even a bit of sun on the beach!). We went to bed last night feeling very grateful for all our loved ones and the gift of time spent with them.
Then we started Monday in a flurry of activity. The prediction is for a cold snap to blow in this week, with temperatures dropping well into the teens by Wednesday night. For us in Oregon, that is cold enough to take notice and prepare. So, instead of the quiet week we were hoping for (after a fun but busy holiday week), we are rallying the troops to get as much harvested as possible by the end of tomorrow. We already have a large walk-in cooler almost completely filled with winter storage crops (cabbage, carrots), but we “keep” many more in the field, and they will benefit from being harvested now (more carrots, turnips, Brussels sprouts, etc.).
It’s funny how anxious we farmers can feel at moments like this, in spite such cold snaps being a “known thing.” I mean, it’s December, right? If it’s going to get cold, now is the most predictable time! Our farm has weathered many such cold spells before — usually with some damage, yes, but some things always get through (with our help). Of course, last winter was exceptionally mild, so in some ways the prediction feels like a shock even though it shouldn’t be. We’re not the only ones apparently, because our farmer email listerves are going crazy with folks talking about what they are digging and what they expect to survive! You’d think it had never been this cold before, but is has! Of course!
So, we’ll keep scurrying and hurrying for the next two days and then cross our fingers that the things left in the field fare as well as can be hoped for. We grow many items specifically because they can survive such temperatures, but the combination of soil moisture, wind, and actual temperature are always a bit unpredictable. And, then when the cold does hit, we’ll probably turn our extra attention to the animals to make sure their troughs don’t freeze over and that they have sufficient feed for the colder temps. At this point in the year, both the veggies and the animals have already been through milder cold temperatures, which helps prepare them for the harsher stuff (acclimation!). We will see!
We hope you stay warm this week!
Your farmers, Katie & Casey Kulla
P.S. We still have some spots left in both CSA programs from 2014. Here is the form for the veggie CSA: 2014VeggieCSA_Info_Signup. Contact us if you are interested in the Full Diet!
