Silvery red cabbage leaves
Rain is in the forecast, a novel situation for us in “Droughtville” (California). We’ve had a couple practice storms roll through, dropping an inch, more or less, just to tease us. But this week, we’ve heard up to 7 inches could fall. The whole community is excited, hoping this will open the storm door and eventually lead us out of the dry conditions we’ve experienced for several years now. The reservoirs are low and steps are being taken to monitor ground water supplies. We have two good wells on the property we use to irrigate year-round. And so far, that’s been enough. Paul has also switched most crops to drip lines for most of their life cycle, rather than overhead, sprinkler-type watering. We trade off using less water for more plastic and more labor.
Cover crop has been planted wherever possible.
Lush cover crop.
The farm prepares for winter rains every year, whether they come or not. As the day length shortens and the nights cool, fields are cleared of finished tomatoes and eggplant, tilled until smooth and flat, composted and finally cover crop seed has been planted wherever we want to give the beds a carbon boost. Ditches are checked and regraded where necessary.
Hoops to cover beds await
Hoops are set up over beds in case the rain becomes too much for small plants. Plastic covers can be pulled over the top of the hoops, if need be. We’re ready and waiting to have time in the shop, to clean and sharpen tools, to change the oil for the many machines, and to get to the projects that await, like the recently purchased cultivating tractor that needs a new front axle and for the whole under-belly apparatus to be rebuilt and mounted.
Romanesco plays peek-a-boo
So we wait to see how much will fall.
Red beets
Rainbow chard is loving this cooler, wetter weather.
Lots of new pipe. The days of moving pipe from field to field are numbered!
Surprise artichokes are popping here and there.
Moving compost
Attending the compost
Two kinds of leeks, King Richard on the left and Lexton on the right.
Joanie came to visit on Thanksgiving.
Brussels sprouts are just beginning to form
Kohlrabi
New (used) Kubota cultivating tractor
Front axle needs work
