(CSA Newsletter: Late Season Week 2)
Meet this week’s vegetables:
Why is every day Friday? Well, of course, it’s not really — but that’s certainly how it felt last week, our first week after the farmers’ market season’s end. On Wednesday, without market harvest to think about, we both kept thinking it was Friday. Again, on Thursday, I even went so far as to look for the Capital Press in the mailbox (a newspaper which, naturally, arrives on Fridays). Finally, on Friday, it was Friday.
Each year, when market ends, our life changes considerably. We gain about a day and a half of work time, which allowed us this week to catch up on deferred projects. Not surprisingly, this week we relished the added work time and marveled at how quickly we were able to work through items on our ‘to do before rain arrives’ list. We pulled up our outside tomatoes and peppers (which had been killed by frost), sowed more ground to cover crops for the winter, cultivated (weeded) more of our to-be-overwintered plantings, moved implements under cover (hoorah for covered space!), and even took one or two cat naps in the sun.
Yes, the weather was glorious this week, helping to boost our relaxed and efficient work attitudes. The sunny weather also created a lovely setting for several guests to the farm (whom we actually had time to host!). A school group stopped by on Friday and enthusiastically tromped through the fields, bravely tasting everything offered to them (including raw mustard greens!). This weekend, members from both our families dropped by to visit. How wonderful to have more time in which to share the farm with others!
Speaking of which, our final farm event of 2008 is coming up this weekend: our annual pumpkin patch open house is this Sunday! Last year, everyone had a blast and the weather cooperated beautifully (we’ll cross our fingers for good weather again). See more details below.
In the meantime, Casey and I are more relaxed than we’ve been in … well, possibly years, but definitely months. Putting everything safely away for the cold weather is a reminder of how far we’ve come here at the farm since 2006 when we bought bare land. Two years later, we have tractor implements. And, we have covered space in which to store them through the winter. These facts make us smile.
As we begin to look towards 2009, we feel more prepared than ever for the cold weather harvests and the start of the next season. (In regards to 2009, let us know if you haven’t received a 2009 CSA Commitment Form and information yet — we’re hoping to receive everyone’s commitment forms by November 1.)
We hope that you too are enjoying the fall weather — both the beautiful warm sunny days, cold nights and occasional rain storms. This is our favorite time of year for being outside, but it’s also fun to start returning inside again to read, cook, and visit. Enjoy this week’s fall vegetables!
Your farmers, Katie & Casey Kulla
Two upcoming events:
