Frost's Eve Reflections

This past weekend was dictated, to a large extent, by the weather forecast that was calling for our first frosts on the farm this Fall.  And, as is often the tradition at the Genuine Faux Farm, we were also realizing that our first frost would, in all likelihood, be our first freeze as well.  We do like to do things right here, don't you know!

It's always a bit stressful, when the weather turns.  We get the rude awakening that our rows of zinnias, even if they were starting to look a little rough anyway, are going to lose their luster, turning a crispy brown.  And, we also realize that we need to get many of our crops harvested and in buildings where they will not get bitten by the cold.  

Since that cold is likely to land below freezing, we also take the harvest in our high tunnels seriously.  The summer crops, like tomatoes, green beans and peppers don't typically like it when the temps get below freezing - even if it is brief.

Some of you might recall that Tammy and I struggled to get started this Spring - once again due to health issues.   But things started to turn around when our farmer friends visited mid-June and helped us to clean up and prepare Valhalla (our larger high tunnel) for planting.  Just one week later, we had the high tunnel planted and our southwest plot was also in.

Somewhere in there, we also got some winter squash into the ground, as well as some sunflowers and sweet corn.  The sweet corn wasn't ready until September, but we actually got some and we pulled in the butternut squash on Sunday.  And yes, we grew some quality onions and have been enjoying some nice melons!

The Joe's Long Cayenne plants, despite being tasted by the deer early in their life, have done themselves proud.  Each plant was completely covered in these long hot peppers.  For that matter, all of the peppers did very well for us this year.  The Black Krim tomatoes really carried the load this year.  So, we have a lot to be pleased with - despite a difficult start and our limited time to get out and do at the farm this Summer.

Sure.  Lots of things went wrong too.  But that's how it works.  We've never had a perfect year at the Genuine Faux Farm.  Except that every year is perfect, because we always get some good food from our fields - and we always get to spend some time working with the land to try and do our best for this small part of the world.