Happy Thanksgiving!
Summer ended two months ago, but a warm fall allowed us to enjoy a few more summer vegetables through October.
Vegetable Sales:
We paused the CSA this year and pivoted to retail sales. Those CSA members who expressed disappointment at the stoppage proceeded to make use of the retail sales model. They became weekly customers purchasing freshly picked, chemical-free, tasty, and nutritious produce. They brought in their friends and family and the network has expanded. Invariably, everyone was happy with the quality, freshness, and taste of the vegetables.
We also continue to supply produce to the Farm to Foodbank Program, Community Food Share, and Meals on Wheels. All of these organizations provide unique services in a very affluent area that still experiences food insecurity.
Small and local farms require support from the local community to thrive. So the valuable patronage of customers is hugely appreciated.
Small farms are closing at an alarming rate, it would be a tragedy to hand over all the power to huge grocery chains whose loyalty is to? I will leave that for you all to answer.
Hits and Misses:
The 2024 peak growing season was fairly good, with the successes and some unexpected failures.
The summer of 2024 was one of the driest with a complete lack of rainfall. Drought stresses the plants in more ways than one. Over the years I have noticed that a dry summer means additional stress on the plants with pests. The attack of the pests is less noticeable if the plant is well established and healthy. Irrigation does alleviate some of the water problems but nothing like a good soaking rain.
I had expected to grow a variety of shelling beans, those small tasty packets of nutrition that can be frozen fresh or dried for later use. The bean plants were stressed the most by the attack of Mexican beetles, which I hadn’t heard of until this year. These beetles look just like ladybird beetles but yellow, they feed on the plant foliage drinking all the moisture and drying out the leaves. Once loses all its leaves, it stops producing flowers and the productivity is way down.
Other than the beans, the majority of the plants did fairly well. Ridge Gourd had a late start but did well and lasted a bit later because of the warm weather.
Chayote Squash
Trying to grow chayote squash is an experiment, and I try it every year. Mature c chayote squash when left on a sunny window sill, sends out sprouts and can be planted. In the last few years, the plant quickly died off when transplanted.
This year it survived, grew a lot, and almost took over the entire trellis. The tiny flowers produced a couple of fruits and then the frost came and killed off the plant.
I was asked to cut the plant to just above ground level and cover it with mulch. It is supposed to do better in subsequent years. We will wait and see.
Sweet Potatoes
I have tried growing sweet potatoes in previous years but due to lack of adequate care, the plant gets taken over by weeds. They require regular watering to establish, and once established the vines spread everywhere and, are a vigorous grower.
They are propagated through slips which are small shoots with roots. Once established they tend to take over the area. We harvested them at the end of the season. Some huge ones, some small ones but well worth the effort.
Malabar Spinach
Malabar Spinach is a tropical plant that typically grows during the summer months and has to be seeded. The last two years, Malabar spinach has become perennial and sprouts back by itself. Small successes!
Fall Vegetables for Sale
We have kale, coriander leaves, chard, beets, and radish growing the tunnel. Contact me if you are interested in any of these vegetables.
Farm Worker
We are looking to hire a full-time farm worker. Job Posting | Amaranth Acres