After 22 Thursdays of two hours work for Nancy and me, we’ve come to the end of the organic farming season. Today, Nancy shoveled and carted wheelbarrow’s full or organic compost to spread on the new garlic plot.

I gathered hoses and sprinklers to stow over the winter. The farm is a lonely place in winter, bees sequestered in their hives, tools locked in the shed, walk in cooler turned off, irrigation valve shut off, tractor and attachments covered.  It is sad to end one season on the soil for the next is jackets and hats.

I cut down three vagrant trees growing in the row of raspberry bushes. Today was a slow day for workers so I took time to pick and eat what ripe raspberries were left.

Miles and Rosette, both from Uganda, were dressed for winter. This is not Africa weather. Cold fronts with strong westerlies are the norm now. I visited the four beehives. Within the enclosure, the openings of the hives are closed except for a tiny ½ inch opening. The mouse protectors have been inserted to prevent mice from getting in. For a mouse, the hives are luxury apartments. They would keep warm and have plenty of food. Only a few bees entered and exited. As the sun climbs higher, there will probably be an increase in activity. The buckwheat cover crop is flowering and I saw bees there. It’s nice to make connections here at the farm. Insects like cabbage butterflies are long gone from the lavender flowers. I enjoyed taking time to watch tiny native bees zipping around tall catnip plants.

Three flowers still in bloom are zinnia, cosmos and marigold. They have become an oasis for bumblebees who cling to the center of flowers trying to survive.

The carrot crop is flourishing. Nancy and I weeded the raised beds several times. I pulled a four inch carrot to check its growth. Pulling a fresh orange carrot with greet top contrasted with dark soil is a pleasant surprise.

We will have one more opportunity to visit the farm. Two weeks from now, we’ll come back to pick up the carrots and sweet potatoes. We have yet to plant the garlic. Don is still waiting for the tractor to be repaired so he can disk the garlic plot, furrow, and top dress with compost once the garlic is planted.

Rosetta, was selling jewelry made by her African sisters in Uganda. These women create colorful purses and wrist bracelets to raise money. She sends the money home to these women to keep their cottage industry going.

Nancy and me were invited to have lunch in the greenhouse. Elizabeth had ordered vegetable and chicken wraps, mango salsa, pickled beets, tabuli salad, and lemonade. Jane Ann brought her famous chocolate chip cookies. I was in heaven able to dunk her cookies into fresh hot coffee. Miles sat with his plate on the seat of the mower. His is an intern and has aspirations to live sustainable. He is gaining valuable experience in all phases of farming here as have many others. The farm grows farmers as well as vegetables. Under the pickup tent, the harvest is set on tables with colorful, fresh, organic vegetables. We packed our bags to take home:

Tomatoes

Mustard

Kale

Chard

Turnip

Dikon radish

Onion

Peppers leeks

Garlic, flowers

Herbs

Artichokes

Sweet potatoes

Don’s hot peppers