We had a light, not forecast frost Thursday a week ago, mostly uphill. The lower part gets some fall protection from the marsh/lake. The frost damaged some of the butternuts a little, just on the skin so those may not store into next summer like they usually do. Then Monday we were forecast for a freeze, so finished bringing in the winter squash – delicata (not many), Sweet Dumpling (like delicata but round), acorn, spaghetti squash, and butternuts. A huge crop. I left over half the spaghetti squash in the field knowing that I’ll never be able to sell or give it away. Hopefully we’ll move the hens down into the squash area so they can clean up weed seeds and the remaining squash.
The “freeze” was basically just enough frost to do in the dahlias, zinnias, peppers, etc. It hit the tops of the weeds but didn’t kill them or stop them from setting seed (I would have liked a good freeze). The peppers were tired and slowing down anyway. I think the eggplant still has some good fruit on it, though the tops of the plants are dead. Anyway, we are into clean up since I need to have the ground leveled to put new hoophouse where they were.
The ducklings are doing well. We lost one during the daytime, and have been bringing them in at night for night time protection, but they are outgrowing their “box”, so I need to clean out the brooder house and train mom and ducklings to it.
The brussels sprouts are gorgeous this year. I haven’t been harvesting them yet because they are so much sweeter after a couple good freezes, but since we don’t have any freezes forecast, I will cut some for you.
I have been harvesting carrots, and found some much nicer looking ones, and the purple ones!
The kale looks the nicest it has all summer, with the leaves curling more. It does love the cooler temps.
Two more Tuesdays for the summer CSA! I am looking forward to moving to the winter farmstore. I was just thinking today of a little ceremonial last taking off of the noose of keys around my neck. No more getting partway down the hill to open and realizing I don’t have the key (it stays on the back of the front door handle at ight, but if the door is open I don’t see it).
