With this year’s major project all wrapped up in Durham it is time to set our sights on the remaining outdoor work for the year and lock in. Between the lack of light and the colder temps there is very little growing happening outside of the tunnels, but this happens to be ideal conditions for a few key crops. First off is cover crop aka green manure. Though we have already seeded vast sections of peas, oats and tillage radish, arguably more than any other season, there is of course still time to sow. However the variety of cover crop must now switch from late Summer early Fall seeded “Winter Killed” cover crops to ones that will survive the cold springing to life again in, you guessed it the Spring. So we’re swapping out the oats and peas for Winter rye and vetch, keeping the tillage radish in the mix as they’re cold hardy enough. These cover crops won’t put on much mass above ground but the roots will thrive and as the daylength returns in 2027, they’ll take off feeding and protecting the soil while suppressing weeds at the same time.
Next up is one of our favorite Fall seedings, the one for our over Wintered carrots. This early November planting allows us to have fresh beds of carrots outside in late Spring giving us a head start on the marathon that is main season carrot sowing. Much like the cover crop we seed now these little carrots will barely grow until the Spring when almost overnight they bulk up. Also going into the ground in November is the powerful, healing, essential for every meal and crowd favorite garlic. Over the past 8 years or so we have been planting more poundage of garlic as well as more of our own saved seed. Last year we settled on a weight threshold of 400 pounds and also for the first time saved 100 percent of our own seed. A quick note on seed garlic. Often at the markets we are asked about seed garlic and if what we are selling could be planted. Seed garlic is simply properly cured garlic in good shape and yes what we bring to market is by all means seed garlic. What we save for planting is simply the biggest bulbs as well as the ones that split and thus not esthetically pleasing enough for retail sales. Planting time is fast approaching so prep your soil and come grab some at the farm or markets.
As October ends and daylight savings looms we all must brace for the dark at 5pm reality to come. And although more or less it does not effect things too much, one thing it will effect is the hours for the last 3 Madison Farmer’s Markets of the year. This Friday will be the final market with a full 3-6 run time. For the final 3 markets November 6th, 13th and 20th the market will run from 3 to dark or 3-5 for all intents and purposes. Its been a great season with all of you Good Food People on Friday afternoons and we hope to finish the it out in spectacular fashion. Can’t make it quite so far as Madison on Friday? Come see us at the farm in Middlefield Fridays 3-6 or preorder for Fri/Sat pickup.
Have a Great Week