[CSA Update] Welcome to week 2

My office view isn't too shabby - I get to look out over the fields from the tractor seat and see blue skies and rolling hills. I've never worked in an office. I did scare my wife once on a tour in Washington, D.C. where we visited the USDA. I stood behind a podium, spoke well, and acted too comfortable for her - she let me know she did not marry a politician, and the whole tour group laughed. That's not my path. I grow food.

Hope folks are excited for their baskets this week. I saw several pictures of meals that were tempting - my favorite was a butternut and apple casserole made without a need for a trip to the ED (thank you for that joke, by the way).

Cooking with fresh ingredients just makes great meals. We've laughed and enjoyed meals together this summer, let's finish strong in these last two weeks. Please continue to send in your favorite CSA memory or recipe - you might be featured in future newsletters or social posts.

There is something magical about the sight of a golden field of sweet corn, isn't there? Rows upon rows of vibrant green talks, reaching for the sky, promising a crunch and smile. But as the crisp fall air slips in, it's time to bid farewell to my beloved sweet corn until next year. And that's where the harrowing process comes in!

Now you might be wondering, why go through the trouble of turning in the corn - why not let it stand or fall and deal with it next spring? Well, harrowing up the sweet corn field serves a vital purpose. As the final curtain falls on this field's harvest, I prepare the soil for its winter nap. By harrowing, I loosen and aerate the earth, allowing it to breathe and rejuvenate over the next few months.

But that's not all. The magic of harrowing goes beyond surface-level cleanup. Beneath the surface, unseen by driving by, lies a transformation that sets the stage for magnificent future harvests. I create the perfect environment for moisture retention and nutrient absorption by breaking up the soil and leaving it lightly roughed. It's like giving the soil a cozy blanket for the cold winter ahead.

Here's a little something for all you green thumbs out there who might be itching to try harrowing in your own gardens. Follow these simple steps to bring some Farmer Joe's Gardens magic to your own plot:

• Timing is everything: Make sure to harrow your field or garden bed after the final harvest, when the plants have been cleared, and the soil is ready for its winter nap.
• Choose the right equipment: Depending on the size of your plot, you can use a garden rake, hand harrow, or even rent a tractor with a harrow attachment. Find what suits your needs, and get ready to work those muscles!
• Mind your technique: Approach the harrowing process with a gentle touch. Take care not to disrupt the soil structure too much, aiming for that perfect balance between breaking up clumps and preserving the beneficial microorganisms that call the soil home. And don't go back and stomp around on the same plot, compacting the soil.

Next week, I will go back and plant a light seeding of winter wheat or rye to this field to further support it by preventing soil erosion and further improving the soil quality for next year's crops. I'm already scheming which plants will come here - you'll have to wait until April to find out!