DECEMBER 2011 - Whew, I just got back in from feeding the horses and it is cold out there. Just last week I was harvesting potatoes in short sleeves and today I’m breaking two inch thick ice on the water troughs. December sure came in like a lion. The baby pigs out in the pumpkin patch stay huddled together in their hut a little longer on these cold mornings and the chickens return to their coops immediately after they finish eating. I love these cold, crisp mornings when you feel chill all the way to the bone and icicles form on your eyelashes. The blood seems to pump a little faster and I walk a little slower due to the ten extra pounds of clothing I’m carrying. Normally this time of year there isn’t much activity around the farm but between the Sunshare Solar Farm construction up top and the new gas line being laid by CSU in the lower fields, it feels like there is a lot going on.
Thanks
to those who completed the CSA evaluation. I’ve just been taking a look
at the responses and for the most part people were pretty satisfied.
There was a request for Brussels sprouts, which we did attempt this
year. After starting them in the greenhouse, we transplanted more than
300 plants out in early June. They were off to a good start, but were
ravaged late in the season by aphids and harlequin bugs – a member of
that nasty little stink bug family that loves to feed on crucifers.
I’ve noticed an increase in the population over the last couple years.
Harlequin bugs show up later in the season so the early season
crucifers do okay, but the longer season crops, like Brussels sprouts
(110 days) easily fall prey to their insatiable appetites. There were also a couple requests for sweet potatoes. I, too, love sweet potatoes and have twice tried to grow them in Colorado – once on my small farm in Canon City where I could give them more consistent TLC and again here on Venetucci Farm three years ago. I had much better luck the first time, but even then I didn’t feel like the harvest, which consisted of one decent size potato and a handful of puny ones, was worth the effort. I have since concluded that there is a good reason sweet potatoes are grown in Georgia. Another person requested Jerusalem Artichokes. I am willing to give those a try because I know they grow well in this climate.
Many people requested more leafy greens, and although lettuce and spinach does not grow well in the mid-summer heat, I can improve on my succession planting of kale and Swiss chard so those are more abundant throughout the season. I also want to try to do a better job protecting my late season lettuce plantings from the insects. I think I’ll cut back on the amount of potatoes and onions I plant and maybe add a little diversity to the variety of potatoes, although there is more risk involved when I move away from the proven varieties.
Some of you indicated that you won’t be renewing your membership and that’s to be expected. I hope we will continue to see you at CFAM markets on Wednesday and Saturday throughout the summer. Thanks for all your helpful feedback. As you can see, it has already influenced some of my planning for next year. For all of you others out there chomping at the bit to sign up to fill those vacated spots, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. You can call me at 391-8102.
Until then, wishing you all many good meals prepared and shared with family and friends over the holiday season. Come see us at the CFAM holiday market this Saturday if you need some onions, potatoes, squash, meat, or some cool handmade present.
Eat well and be well,
Susan
