Challenging Heat

Feeling good about a robust patch of leeks following a difficult job of trimming and mowing aisle grass and weed growth in what could be our most fertile field.

The hottest spell of the season has descended upon the area. The worst of it looks to be short-lived, that is if you count upper 80s or low 90s as relief. All will be well and we'll persevere through it as long as rain is provided with the transition from super heat to regular heat. This kind of weather tests our resolve and patience. It's quite easy to worry about all the crops and be in a constant state of panic. It's probably the most difficult time of the year for us regardless of the heat. Harvests are getting heavier which basically means we're moving more weight around from the fields to the barn to the shares. Our minds and bodies feel a subtle fatigue from the constant daily work that began many months ago. We're concerned that newly transplanted crops might not survive until the next rainfall. Watermelons are starting to ripen but will there be enough for all members? Will wild critters find them before we do? What's the best way to harvest and cure onions for longterm storage? Are our coolers working properly? Will lettuces head up and hold up until the next harvest or will they bolt faster than we can keep up? Besides the crops we must pay attention to ourselves during this extreme weather. Even harvesting a few hundred pounds of tomatoes at 10am on Sunday morning with Farmer Dana to reduce Monday's harvest to-do list results in a thoroughly sweat drenched state that fails to evaporate and cool thanks to the humidity and lack of wind. After watering the flats in the hoop house and greenhouse a seat in front of a fan with shades drawn and doors shut cools me down just enough. Give me a bite of watermelon and I'm all good.

Either way, overall, it's an exciting time on the farm. Summer crops are thriving and long-season crops begin to beckon: watermelon now, cantaloupe soon, onions now, potatoes soon. We strive to keep up and ensure proper harvest and stowing. As we harvest our footprint slowly reduces and we have less farm space to actively manage. Very soon we'll begin sowing cover crops and putting fields to sleep for the winter. Each week that passes more plants go in the ground and less plants still need to be planted, less land needs to be prepared. For now, though, we'll focus on getting through Monday's harvest and distribution, on what could be the hottest day of the year. Stay cool!