Thanks to Elizabeth and the Henderson clan for coming out in the beautiful sunshine Sunday and making quick work of the root harvest. Beets, which grow mostly above ground and seem to always love our farmland are in abundance for the year. As tap roots the carrot crop wasn’t quite as impressive. Tap roots are only willing to grow until they hit water or heavily saturated soil. In a wet year this level isn’t very far below the surface resulting in a lot of stumpy carrots. We also ran into sections where the carrot tips had rotted from sitting in too wet soil. No need to ration yet though, I think we’ll have enough to make it a good way (or longer) through the winter. The milk cows and horses are enjoying the tip rotted carrots right now.

Wood stove season is upon us, and once again we’ll be putting out a call for your ashes. The chickens love bathing in dusty ashes, it keeps their feathers clean and free of parasites. Consider bringing over a can starting next week.

The wonderful stretch of weather we’ve hit has done wonders for the last of the head lettuce crop. They’ve doubled in size in the last couple of weeks. Since the good looking weather is going to continue I’ll leave them in the ground so they can grow a bit closer to full size before harvesting. Sadly, the delicate loose leaf lettuce, growing so close to the ground, is a loss. The many weeks of rain caused widespread rot, which we can’t recover from.

We have three picturesque red ponies grazing in the pasture just north of the bank barn. They belong to Nathan and Racey and have made the move over to the farm. The siblings, Ida, Polly and Faust, are becoming experts on their lead ropes and will begin their training soon as draft horses. They are very curious, but still a bit skittish in their youth. Lightning has eagerly taken on the role as wise older leader and Abby has eagerly continued her role of generally ignoring anything other than food.

In the veggie share this week: kale, chard, winter squash, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, beets, cabbage, leeks, onions, garlic, kraut, and white beans. Still coming: brussel sprouts.

In the meat share: If you did not take two weeks of meat last week, talk to us.

See you all tonight between 4 and 6,
Sara Kurak
Full and By Farm