CSA Sept 21 -23 - Gorman Farm
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GORMAN FARM COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE
Harvest Pac Choi Kale Cilantro Peppers Eggplant Sweet Dumpling Squash
z
From the Farm
I am beginning to believe that time is truly a warp. It’s precious and there is not enough of it, no matter ones profession. I love seeing the children jumping in and working alongside their dad. Any time the kids are involved time also slows down. They get dirty, they contributed
Garlic Arugula Lettuce
and they are happy! Taking those moments is what it’s all about. It was a monumental time at Gorman’s sister farm yesterday. We actually broke ground! It was dry and the discs were clanking
August Was the Hottest In 136 Years
Following record-setting July temperatures, NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies says August tied July for the warmest month ever recorded. August
2016 was 0.98 C warmer than the average temp for the month since 1880. “The long-term trends are the most important for understanding the ongoing changes that are affecting our plant,” says GISS Director, Gavin Schmidt.
z
just below the dirt but the soil is Oh so nice! We are establishing our runs. They have been surveyed and flagged out, mowed (mowed again), and now they will be turned. First with a disc, then a chisel, a till to follow, and finally cover crop seed. If all follows according to plan, we will be planting and harvesting crops here in conjunction with Gorman Farm next year. Which brings me back full circle to the concept of time. It is a natural resource in it’s own right; it is gold.
Note from the farmer:
In the field the impact of the hottest month on record hits in different ways. There are always pros and cons on the farm. One particular situation is never ideal. For us we are seeing a much quicker maturity on crops that usually would take longer. This can be a pro as we are getting into things that we would have needed more patience for - the con is that crop once harvested is done. So in the greens, broccoli, lettuce, cabbage department things are moving along faster than we’d like to see. Although no complaints as my household and body is ready for these on my plate. Lettuce was probably hit the hardest. We grow anywhere from 12-20 different varieties each year, and plant according to who can take the heat or not. This week we had to harvest two weeks worth and pool all into one as it was too hot during the early stages pushing the plant to flower. Broccoli came on way to fast for my taste and comes in very uneven. A percentage of the crop is ripening normal while the other part has been accelerated towards maturity.
Phenology is the study of periodic plant and animal life cycle events and how these are influenced by seasonal and inter-annual variations in climate. This is really the meat of the matter. From a farming perspective you are really in pickle when you expect the weather to act a certain way. I expect the weather to be erratic thus comes preparations, solutions, and best possible scenarios to different outcomes. What’s to understand are the phenological changes that are taking place in nature prior to the reality we experience. I.E. - golly gee whizz it sure was hot in august we had to irrigate more, greens didn’t like it, etc. etc. But mother nature her bugs and micro systems underground are all making huge changes prior to and after based on these erratic events. What caught me off guard and many farmers I’ve been speaking to is the animals. Everybody is thirsty and hungry from ground hogs, to worms. I feel like Mr. McGregor from Peter Cotton this year only it’s not bunnies. We have been through two plantings of spinach, two plantings of carrots all for a loss. Radishes at 50% (radishes are usually a no brainer). And things like arugula that is usually full of holes from flea beetles is AAAAAAmazing this season. All my direct seeded crops have been more difficult than ever. When arugula planting came up (arugula grows very fast and is one of the last plantings of the year) I went for it but assumed it was going to be a wash. I hope you enjoy this week and probably next because it doesn’t get any better than what we have. It is top notch, no holes no bugs and super tender. The hard squash this week is called sweet dumpling one of the tastiest varieties available. Don’t think this is a decoration eat it up!! Next week’s crystal ball forecasts swiss chard, collard greens, lettuce, arugula, (maybe beets), broccoli, butternut squash, napa cabbage, mustard greens and more.
E
P
T
2
1
-
S
E
P
T
2
3
GORMAN FARM COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE
Harvest Pac Choi Kale Cilantro Peppers Eggplant Sweet Dumpling Squash
z
From the Farm
I am beginning to believe that time is truly a warp. It’s precious and there is not enough of it, no matter ones profession. I love seeing the children jumping in and working alongside their dad. Any time the kids are involved time also slows down. They get dirty, they contributed
Garlic Arugula Lettuce
and they are happy! Taking those moments is what it’s all about. It was a monumental time at Gorman’s sister farm yesterday. We actually broke ground! It was dry and the discs were clanking
August Was the Hottest In 136 Years
Following record-setting July temperatures, NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies says August tied July for the warmest month ever recorded. August
2016 was 0.98 C warmer than the average temp for the month since 1880. “The long-term trends are the most important for understanding the ongoing changes that are affecting our plant,” says GISS Director, Gavin Schmidt.
z
just below the dirt but the soil is Oh so nice! We are establishing our runs. They have been surveyed and flagged out, mowed (mowed again), and now they will be turned. First with a disc, then a chisel, a till to follow, and finally cover crop seed. If all follows according to plan, we will be planting and harvesting crops here in conjunction with Gorman Farm next year. Which brings me back full circle to the concept of time. It is a natural resource in it’s own right; it is gold.
Note from the farmer:
In the field the impact of the hottest month on record hits in different ways. There are always pros and cons on the farm. One particular situation is never ideal. For us we are seeing a much quicker maturity on crops that usually would take longer. This can be a pro as we are getting into things that we would have needed more patience for - the con is that crop once harvested is done. So in the greens, broccoli, lettuce, cabbage department things are moving along faster than we’d like to see. Although no complaints as my household and body is ready for these on my plate. Lettuce was probably hit the hardest. We grow anywhere from 12-20 different varieties each year, and plant according to who can take the heat or not. This week we had to harvest two weeks worth and pool all into one as it was too hot during the early stages pushing the plant to flower. Broccoli came on way to fast for my taste and comes in very uneven. A percentage of the crop is ripening normal while the other part has been accelerated towards maturity.
Phenology is the study of periodic plant and animal life cycle events and how these are influenced by seasonal and inter-annual variations in climate. This is really the meat of the matter. From a farming perspective you are really in pickle when you expect the weather to act a certain way. I expect the weather to be erratic thus comes preparations, solutions, and best possible scenarios to different outcomes. What’s to understand are the phenological changes that are taking place in nature prior to the reality we experience. I.E. - golly gee whizz it sure was hot in august we had to irrigate more, greens didn’t like it, etc. etc. But mother nature her bugs and micro systems underground are all making huge changes prior to and after based on these erratic events. What caught me off guard and many farmers I’ve been speaking to is the animals. Everybody is thirsty and hungry from ground hogs, to worms. I feel like Mr. McGregor from Peter Cotton this year only it’s not bunnies. We have been through two plantings of spinach, two plantings of carrots all for a loss. Radishes at 50% (radishes are usually a no brainer). And things like arugula that is usually full of holes from flea beetles is AAAAAAmazing this season. All my direct seeded crops have been more difficult than ever. When arugula planting came up (arugula grows very fast and is one of the last plantings of the year) I went for it but assumed it was going to be a wash. I hope you enjoy this week and probably next because it doesn’t get any better than what we have. It is top notch, no holes no bugs and super tender. The hard squash this week is called sweet dumpling one of the tastiest varieties available. Don’t think this is a decoration eat it up!! Next week’s crystal ball forecasts swiss chard, collard greens, lettuce, arugula, (maybe beets), broccoli, butternut squash, napa cabbage, mustard greens and more.
