Hello Farmshare members,
We are approaching the Autumn Equinox! September 22 marks the equinox and the first official day of fall in the northern hemisphere. On the equinox the days and nights are roughly the same length before we tip into shortening days and lengthening nights. And here on the farm, this time of year means cover crop!
Charlie and Manuel have been prepping ground and planting lots of cover crop. Charlie is pictured above planting a blend of cover crop seeds. This blend includes oats, clover, fava beans, vetch, chicory, plantain, sunflowers and phacelia! Lots of great plants! This cover crop planting will come up this fall and grow over winter, protecting the soil form erosion during winter rains. A nice stand of cover crop also reduces weed pressure by out competing the winter weeds. Come springtime, the cover crop will provide loads of bio mass to be incorporated in to the soil, increasing organic matter and fertility. It's a key component to organic farming and soil health, and one we're really committed to. It's satisfying to see the fields getting seeded and know we are taking care of the ground for the season to come.
In your box this week you may find broccoli and cauliflower along with more fennel, summer squash, head lettuce, cucumbers and more!
Enjoy!
The River Run Farm Team
