The Late Summer Squeeze

The Late Summer Squeeze

One of the most difficult aspects of CSA farming is keeping a consistent level of production throughout the CSA season.  Late August and early September is always the leanest portion of our growing season.  We plan hard for this time of the year.  We plant crops specifically so they will be maturing right now when we need them the most.

The melons came in right on time.  And despite the poorly timed rain (and more rain and more rain), the first planting of melons yielded about 200 cantaloupes and 250 watermelons.  The okra is back on track, too.  Skylar and I picked 60 pounds on Monday.  And we picked the first squash from the latest planting just today.

Despite these successes, reality is still falling short of the plan.  We have less produce coming out of the field than we would like.  Filling the CSA shares is always our first priority, so for the last few weeks we have had less left over to sell at market.  That will continue to be the case for a couple more weeks at least.

Every Year is Different

This year summer came early, with a very July-like month of June.  Maybe that is partly responsible.  Some crops and planting that were meant to keep producing through August peaked too early.  And some of the crops we depend on to get us through this time of year have been under-performing – notably the peppers and eggplant.  But ultimately every year is just different, whether we know the specific reasons or not.

Silver Linings

Because I have been spending less time harvesting, I have had time to work on planting the fall garden.  Today I seeded more carrots and beets, including golden beets, lettuce and arugula.  This evening I hope to transplant broccoli, cauliflower, and red Napa cabbage.

On The Lookout For Armyworms

I have been spotting fall armyworms in the crabgrass.  This is not good.  I know from experience that once they finish with the crabgrass they’ll move on to our crops.  Last year they made the beets disappear.  The little beetlings had just germinated and poof they were gone.  I am keeping a very close eye on the young beets out in the field.  They are still too small to spray with Azaguard, my organic application of choice against this particular pest.  And although armyworms love beets, but they’ll also eat pretty much anything.

Small Shares

• Arugula
• Watermelon or Cantaloupe
• Butternut Squash
• Assorted Tomatoes
• Okra

Full Shares

• Arugula
• Watermelon
• Butternut Squash
• Assorted Tomatoes
• Okra
• Eggplant