With the cold weather front finally moving in this week, it's time to scramble to finish up the final clean out of the tunnels! We made some great progress yesterday and got the tomato tunnel back to a clean slate. We even froze 10 quarts of fresh tomatoes afterwards! It's crazy to think that in just 5 months time we will back at it, transplanting the 2025 crop of tomatoes in the ground.
As we were busy pulling out old plants, fences, fabric, & irrigation, my mind stayed busy recounting the past season and already planning all the things we can improve upon/tweak/change/try new next season. I think that's one of the best things about farming. Every year you start with a clean slate and get to try the experiment all over again! Every season is different. There are wins and losses, new challenges, different weather patterns, and a million different factors that can change the outcome. Not only are you growing plants, you are growing as a farmer too. Each year adding a little bit more knowledge, strength, & confidence, with a little side of doubt too. Cause when those losses come, it's easy to question everything you are doing.
Overall though, upon reflection, season 2024 was a great one!
Beautiful kale and broccoli still growing on the farm! We've been enjoy the ultra sweet fall brassicas. During the summer months we don't have a lot of free time to cook, so this time of year we love to make delicious meals with the last of the season's crops.
We left the two patches of lisianthus in the tunnel when we were pulling flowers a month ago and they have yet to freeze out with this warm fall we've had! They are still showing off some beautiful blooms. Another reason we absolutely love lisianthus. They take a really long time to get established, but once they do they just go and go and go!
Our little farm dog Ember loving the season end clean up. She found lots of mice underneath the straw and enjoyed "removing" some rotten tomatoes!
Lots of Farm Fresh Eggs this week!