It was a beautiful fall day to end the season. The sun was out, the wind was cool, but not too brisk, and we had a lot of helpers. The first job was to harvest the lettuce heads (114 count); with 5 helpers. "Cut under the head in the ground so the leaves do not fall away." With 5 helpers, the cutting, washing, and storing task took about 20 minutes. Then on to the parsnips; this time we needed 142 lbs. since we were also harvesting for the final distribution for the Thursday pick-ups.
Parsnips are harvested like carrots with a pitchfork, plunged straight down with a lot of effort and delicate manuveuring (that is, jumping on and pulling the pitchfork, without piercing the parsnip).
Even with help, washing nearly 150 lbs of parsnips takes some time, and that was the majority of the rest of the afternoon before the distribution stations were set up at 4pm.
What will happen on the farm in the fall? Well, some of the crops stay in the ground until Thanksgiving harvest. For the "early bird" members who sign up for 2010, there is a special thanksgiving share that will be distributed. I am guessing onions, parsnips, carrots, potatoes, and spinach, and probably more...
The bigger question is "What will I do now"? I have accumulated many books for winter reading. Some are social commentaries about food consumption, some are gardening books, some are environmental. I will continue to be here.
Labor of Love
7 years ago
