There are still crops on the first field but the back field is mostly covered by “grass” now, perhaps a few rows of peppers, eggplants and fall crops. There is broom corn in the back, and some flowers that are starting to seed. It was only two months ago that this area was covered with hundreds of vegetable plants.
We started to harvest the celery root. The stalks are thinner and bushier than regular celery; it the round base that is used for cooking. These celery roots were the size of melons and sometimes two hands were needed to pull them out. Then with a knife, we cut off the stringy roots leaving a whitish ball.
Then we scattered rye and vetch as a cover crop. After a good year of harvest, the soil is spent of its nutrients. Planting a cover crop will keep the soil in place, as well as providing nitrogen. The vetch is specifically used for nitrogen replacement; Erin plucked one tiny plant up in a currently growing field to show the tiny white part of its roots which is providing the necessary replacement. Also, when it is time to plant in the spring, these covers will be turned into the soil with additional compost. I have learned that proper soil maintenance and replenishment are vital to farming success.
PS There will be about two more weeks: For Sunday pickups the last distribution will be October 25. Thus, I have two additional weeks of work.
Labor of Love
6 years ago
