Boomer decided to climb on Lizz's shoulders to get a better look at the massive sweet potato harvest
Time rolls over us at the farm. Often times determining the day of the week is a struggle. Our exclamations do nothing to firm our grip on the time, barely putting drag on it as it races past us: “It is already the middle of the month?” “How is it already September?” Thus we cling to landmarks, beacons shining out over the farm season that let us know where we are. The last frost in the spring. The beginning of tomato harvest. Summer solstice. Of course, the first fall frost is a big one.
It is one of the most discrete landmarks of the season. So many crops just won’t handle a dip that low. We get our last taste of warm weather crops like tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers. Flowers frost, give us one last diamond encrusted show and then brown. Tender, tender greens, turn bright green as though steamed and then die. But it isn’t all death! Our hardy greens- mostly those in the brassica family like arugula and kale get sweeter. The cabbage and broccoli, also brassicas get sweeter. Our lettuce, tucked under frost blankets, thrives and continues to grow!
The fall frost signals us to haul in all those storage crops. Most tolerate and even benefit from a frost, but we know it is only going to get colder, so it is time to scoop them up and tuck them safely away in storage to be relished all winter long.
With that I am off to tuck in some plants!
Helen writing for the Lake Dividers
It is one of the most discrete landmarks of the season. So many crops just won’t handle a dip that low. We get our last taste of warm weather crops like tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers. Flowers frost, give us one last diamond encrusted show and then brown. Tender, tender greens, turn bright green as though steamed and then die. But it isn’t all death! Our hardy greens- mostly those in the brassica family like arugula and kale get sweeter. The cabbage and broccoli, also brassicas get sweeter. Our lettuce, tucked under frost blankets, thrives and continues to grow!
The fall frost signals us to haul in all those storage crops. Most tolerate and even benefit from a frost, but we know it is only going to get colder, so it is time to scoop them up and tuck them safely away in storage to be relished all winter long.
With that I am off to tuck in some plants!
Helen writing for the Lake Dividers
Fresh From the Field!
Greens:Arugula
Baby Bok Choi!
Head Lettuce
Mizuna
Mustard
Tatsoi
Tokyo Bekana- Bok Choi lettuce!
Kale: flat leaf, green curly, and red curly
Microgreens: Spicy and mild.
Salad mix!!!
Shoots: Pea!
Swiss Chard
Herbs:
Cilantro and Dill
Mint
Oregano
Parsley: The stems of the curly parsley are incredibly sweet!
Sage
Thyme
All manner of deliciousness:
Beets: Loose roots great for roasting
Broccoli is back and better than ever!
Cabbage- Sauerkraut is easier to make than you think!
Celery- Thick juicy stalks great for everything you love celery for
*Eggplant: (limited) Roast, stirfry, sandwich- prep breaded eggplant in the freezer!
Fennel: Fresh licorice-y fronds with crispy bulbs.
Garlic
Kohlrabi- beautiful meal sized kohlrabi and tender petite
Onions: petite and pungent.
Potatoes will be back in a couple weeks once the rest of the crops are safe from the frost
*Peppers: Limited
*Hot peppers: Hungarian hot wax, cayenne, jalepeno, serrano, and poblano- try pickling!
*Snack Peppers: ( limited) as sweet as peppers get!
Radishes: Classic, White Daikon, Green Daikon, and Watermelon- Try making steamed radish
*Tomatoes: greens- time to make those pickled green tomatoes!
Turnips: Sweet white turnips and purple top roasting turnips
*End of the season for starred crops so stock up while you can!
Markets, always rain or shine!Wednesday: Ann Arbor
The Ann Arbor Market is located in the Kerrytown District at 315 Detroit St, Ann Arbor, MI. The market runs from May thru December, 7 am to 3 pm and January thru April from 8 am to 3 pm.
Thursday: Northville
The Northville market is located at 195 Main St, Northville, MI 48167 and it runs May thru October, 8 am to 3 pm.
Friday: Stockbridge
The Stockbridge Open Air Market is located on the square in downtown Stockbridge. It runs from May thru October from 4 pm to 7 pm
Saturday: Ann Arbor and Chelsea
The Ann Arbor Market is located in the Kerrytown District at 315 Detroit St, Ann Arbor, MI. The market runs from May thru December, 7 am to 3 pm and January thru April from 8 am to 3 pm.
The Chelsea Farmers' Market is located in the lower library lot along Park St. It runs May thru October from 8 am to 1 pm.
Sunday: Howell
The Howell Farmers' market can be found in the heart of Howell at State st and Clinton st, adjacent to the historic Livingston County Courthouse. It runs May thru October, 9 am to 2 pm.
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