Farm Report 8/28/23 – The farm has gone a bit feral!
My friend Amanda came to volunteer on Saturday, and when I asked her how her garden was doing, she said, ”It’s gone a bit feral.” I asked her if I could borrow her description, and she said “Yes!” I think our farm is starting to look a bit feral, too. Of course, there are still a lot of plants growing and producing, but I see all the problem plants.
It was interesting to hear another woman farmer, who I talked to on Saturday, tell me the same thing. She sees all the problems. Looking at her farm and talking about what the challenges have been this year for her, I am sympathetic. It also gives me some insight and hope that what Carrie and our team, along with the volunteers, are doing is on track. Full disclosure: we aren’t looking so bad–even when I focus on the problems!
As promised, we had most of a week of summer! Abigail and the entire family came this week to help glean. I love hearing Sam explain to his dad how to harvest certain vegetables. Sam, Henry, and Jacob–you guys are the best. Thanks for helping harvest again this summer! I know we have you for one more week, but I already miss you! Thank you, Sam, for writing on the bags of hot peppers so recipients would know these were hot ones!
Once again the call for help brought us extra volunteers to help harvest those darn, no, I mean EXTRAORDINARY, green beans! Many hands helped out once again! I believe the beans are starting to slow down, which brings a sigh of relief to our volunteers.
Friday brought torrential rain, AGAIN! Here is Carrie showing how soaked one can get when the rain blows in sideways.
Saturday the skies cleared, and we were able to accomplish a lot.
Amy, Madeline, and Jennifer harvested winter squash to cure. As it is harvested, the cover crop is already growing in place. They also walked the farm and deadheaded all the Tithonia to keep the bees happy. Thanks, ladies. That was a big help.
My Saturday regulars (Genny is back!) tarped a plot for a late Hakurei planting. Then they moved into tunnel 5 to plant spinach. Two projects checked off our to-do list.
Meanwhile, Wendi and Marsha cut back dead tomato vines and weeded our fall chard/kale plot. Fantastic!
The seedling house seems very orange right now with all the ripening and curing vegetables.
Our “Pick a Bouquet and Donate Today” flower garden is open–lots of annuals, and the dahlias are prolific! I asked Amanda to go pick for a photo opp. Thanks, Amanda!
Thanks to all who came to help this week and to all of you who sent me “will see you soon” messages.
Our Farmyard Jam is coming right up, and we need volunteers in all sorts of capacities. A lot of you already know what a fun event this is. If you think you could help us pull all this together, please contact Patty at patty@growingtogive.farm
I want to recognize the Bowdoin College orientation group that came this week. We forgot to take any photos, all of you were a tremendous help, and the produce went straight to the kitchen at the Landing for processing. Great Job!
Another packed week! Thanks to all who came, and thanks to my crew who let me spend time with friends from away.
Always grateful,
Theda