Incoming Rain (?) Preparations

What looks to be the first real and promising rain event in months is forecast to descend on us early this week. Hopefully it's not a dud. Last week and this weekend we spent a lot of time working towards this eventuality, preparing for a nice soaker. Fields that were previously home to spring and summer crops like zucchini, cucumbers, potatoes, cantaloupe, watermelon, onions, chard, peas, herbs, and lettuces were cleaned up, mowed, amended with compost, chisel plowed, sown with cover crops, and disked to incorporate seeds. About 20,000 feet of beds, or almost 3 acres, was put to sleep for the winter.

We're hopeful this rain event stimulates direct sown carrot seeds also. Our sowing from a month ago didn't tolerate the heat and dry weather so we had to try again. Early last week we received just under a quarter inch of rain. Crops are very thirsty, but rather than add our own water, we're trying to patiently wait for rainfall.

The last of the winter squash (butternut) was retrieved from the field this past week. Winter squash and pumpkins will likely be part of shares for around month or more. The room in the barn they're currently being stored in will eventually be the home of sweet potatoes, assuming there are some in the ground after what has been a very dry summer. This year's July/August rainfall combo is, in fact, our driest in 14 seasons. At the farm during that span we did receive 5.5" of rain, which isn't terrible, and is probably better than too much rain. I haven't checked temperature records but I don't think it's been hotter than other seasons. Either way I'm glad it's September and we're beginning to rest and restore fields.