Notes From the Field

by Zannah Porter, Farm Manager

Fall is in full swing. The leaves are turning on a spectrum that includes yellow gold, flame orange, the deepest of reds and every shade in between.  They are falling and blanketing the edges of our fields. The surest sign that autumn is here to stay was the hard frost we experienced Sunday night. The skies cleared and the temperatures dipped in the early morning hours. We were prepared. The field crew had staged the materials needed to cover and protect the sensitive crops from the frost. On Saturday a volunteer group from Lesley University helped to pull the floating row cover over the sensitive plants and pinned it down with sand bags. This seemingly flimsy material helps to keep the temperature around the plants just a few degrees warmer from the ambient temperature and prevents the frost from forming on tender leaves. Frost does end the season for some crops but it improves others. The kale becomes sweeter and perfect for mixing in with soul-warming pots of butternut squash soup.

The field crew was busy last week protecting our crops from hungry creatures. This time of year everyone is motivated to stock up for the winter. On your next visit to the farm you may notice chicken wire fencing around a planting of carrots and the high tunnel by the distribution barn. The rabbits have been prolific this year, but have mostly kept to the edges of the fields and done minimal damage. That was until the last few weeks. They seem to have somewhat refined pallets, preferring the Lacinato Kale to the other greens planted in the high tunnel. The fencing seems to be doing the trick. Another crop saved by the field crew.

It has taken many hands to get us to this point in the season; many hours of hard work in the soupy heat of July and August to the chilly wet days of the spring and autumn. I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible work that everyone on the Weed Crew, Field Crew and the Assistant Growers put into making this season a success. I am grateful for their hard work and hearty spirits.

It is time to wrap up the season. We can take a deep breath, rest our tired muscles and minds. We will soon begin planning for next season. We are doing our best to learn from what worked well this season and what we can improve upon. We will take that knowledge and apply it to our plan for next season with the intention and hope of growing healthy vegetables for everyone to enjoy.

Thank you for another amazing season!

From left to right: Rae, Hector, Katie, Solomon, & Paul heading out to harvest.