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The Garlic Bed: One of my favorite fall tasks is putting the freshly planted garlic “to bed” by covering it with maple leaves.  The garlic bed looks so stunningly beautiful when it’s done!  Maple leaves protect the soil from strong rains and keep the weeds from sprouting.  They also no doubt add nutrients to the soil.  Come spring, and warmer weather, the garlic has no problem shooting right up right through the mulch.  The smell of maple leaves and crisp fall days keeps this Farmer singing happy tunes.

Feedback, Keep it Coming!: Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to give me your comments!  If the rest of you dear souls have a moment to fill out the survey, I would also greatly appreciate it.  You can email or mail it to me at PO Box 973 Ridgefield, WA. 98642.  You can also return it to me at the CSA pickup.

The 2010 CSA Season, Will You Join Me? Attached to the survey (page 2) is a registration form for the 2010 season.  The cost for next season’s subscription will not be due until January.  I am simply asking for a commitment at this time.  Knowing how many of you will join me next year for the CSA season will allow me to understand how many new members I need to recruit.  As always, I truly appreciate your support.  Existing CSA members who sign up before Dec. 4th, 2009 will pay the the 2009 subscription price!

Here’s to wholesome food, grown and eaten with love.

-AJ

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Click here to read this week’s newsletter.

Tuck Away Those Storage Crops: I harvested some absolutely beautiful onions this season, and I am so happy that it is finally time to start sharing them with you!  This week’s onion is call Mustang, a dry storage variety with classic sharp onion flavor.

You’ll be receiving several rounds of both storage and cipolinni onions this fall, along with a steady supply of winter squash and garlic.  If they start to pile up at your house, simply store these winter staples in a cool, dry garage or basement, and they will last for many weeks.  If, on the other hand, they don’t last two days in your kitchen, let me know, as I have extras for sale.

Feedback, It’s What’s For Dinner: Even though this CSA season is not done yet, I am already planning for next year.  It would be wonderful to have your comments and concerns as I start to compile my field notes and assess the season.  If you have a moment to fill out the survey here, I would greatly appreciate it.  You can email or mail it to me at PO Box 973 Ridgefield, WA. 98642.  You can also return it to me at the CSA pickup.

The 2010 CSA Season, Will You Join Me? Attached to the survey (page 2) is a registration form for the 2010 season.  The cost for next season’s subscription will not be due until January.  I am simply asking for a commitment at this time.  Knowing how many of you will join me next year for the CSA season will allow me to understand how many new members I need to recruit.  As always, I truly appreciate your support.  Existing CSA members who sign up before Dec. 4th, 2009 will pay the the 2009 subscription price!

Need an Extra Carving Pumpkin? I have a nice selection of Howden Pumpkins, all stashed snugly on hay in my barn.  If you need a few more for your October festivities, please email or call.  I can bring them to the Friday pickup, or you are welcome to hand select them right off the hay bales.  Prices range from $2-$16 depending on size.

Here’s to wholesome food, grown and eaten with love.

-AJ

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Click here to read this week’s newsletter.

Yes, this Farmer is Twice Warmed: You know the old saying about heating with firewood, right?  You are twice warmed… once from splitting and hauling and then again from actually burning.  I finally succumbed to the cold house and built myself a few nice fires this week.  After working outside in the rain and wind, it is a lovely way to end my day.

Feedback, It’s What’s For Dinner: Even though this CSA season is not done yet, I am already planning for next year.  It would be wonderful to have your comments and concerns as I start to compile my field notes and assess the season.  If you have a moment to fill out the survey here, I would greatly appreciate it.  You can email or mail it to me at PO Box 973 Ridgefield, WA. 98642.  You can also return it to me at the CSA pickup.

The 2010 CSA Season, Will You Join Me? Attached to the survey (page 2) is a registration form for the 2010 season.  The cost for next season’s subscription will not be due until January.  I am simply asking for a commitment at this time.  Knowing how many of you will join me next year for the CSA season will allow me to understand how many new members I need to recruit.  As always, I truly appreciate your support.  Existing CSA members who sign up before Dec. 4th, 2009 will pay the the 2009 subscription price!

Need an Extra Carving Pumpkin?: I have a nice selection of Howden Pumpkins, all stashed snugly on hay in my barn.  If you need a few more for your October festivities, please email or call.  I can bring them to the Friday pickup, or you are welcome to hand select them right off the hay bales.  Prices range from $2-$16 depending on size.

Here’s to wholesome food, grown and eaten with love.

-AJ

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Click here to read this week’s newsletter.

The Most Glorious of Fall Days: Out here on the farm, the smell of wood burning in the air accents these crisp mornings that burst into clear, sunny afternoons.  This is incredible fall weather!  We have been harvesting the last of the dry corn for livestock feed, pulling shelling peas from their beds, planting garlic and tidying up the fields in preparation of  winter weather.  Most of all, we are soaking up as much sun as possible.

Happy Jack O’Lantern To You: This week’s share includes an October classic.  The Howden pumpkin was developed by Mr. John Howden in Massachusetts in the late 1960’s.  It is the quintessential carving pumpkin, but you can eat it and roast the seeds too!

Here’s to wholesome food, grown and eaten with love.

-AJ

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Click here to read this week’s newsletter.

The Farmer Takes A Respite: I’m off to Indiana this week to celebrate my Grandpa’s birthday with a hog roast and an antique tractor drive.  So I have taken a break from my newsletter writing to feature an inspiring article by The Sustainability Institute’s Elizabeth Sawin, entitled “What Can One Person Do?”  I’ll be back to writing next week with a few musings on Resilience.

One Foot in Summer, and One in Fall: The transition from summer to fall produce is still apparent this week with the last of the eggplant arriving and the first round of garlic. Your harvest share also includes the once-a-year appearance of sweet potatoes!  The fields continue to undergo a big transition.  The tomato trellis is out of the ground and in the loafing shed for winter storage.  The tomatoes and beans plots have been tilled under, and the pumpkins are nestled on hay bales in the barn.  On Monday we worked a full long day and just after I finished seeding another round of cover crop, the rain drops came a-falling down.  It was perfect timing!

Here’s to wholesome food, grown and eaten with love.

-AJ

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