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Each night the frost deepens in little bit and then a little bit more. Each morning is a surprise to see what has survived and what maybe hasn't. It also signals the earliest signs of the Larch and the Aspens beginning to turn. So I scuttle around snipping any bloom that is either for the fresh bouquets or get hung up to dry, collecting the seeds as they ripen, and marking the plants that haven't so they can be pulled and composted. The beginning of fall can feel bittersweet but after a long hot summer (which always comes after super busy springs) it signals a gradual slowdown in the urgency of the farm work (until the possibility of snow brings the urgency back lol). But until then, I'm gonna take the opportunity to sit in the just warm enough sunshine among the cool breeze searching for seeds and hidden blooms as I wait for the seasons to change.  The flowers are still coming but are beginning to slow down with my nightly frosts that get deeper and deeper. Soon they will be done, either frosted out or to let go for seed so be sure to grab some up soon!  The butterflies are still loving all the ones that are grown specifically for seed or that I left in the field for seed. The butterflies get a tasty snack of nectar so that they can mate and lay eggs for the next generation and the plants get pollinated so they too can make 'eggs' for the next generation which I collect so we can spread them for more butterflies to enjoy! The Cosmos are also setting seed after a little pollination help from their friends. Both of these beauties go into the seed mix!  The Stinging Nettles patch is robust (and not bothered by the frosts which is a great benefit of enjoying native and naturalized edibles) so I've begun harvesting bug bunches of stems to hang and dry alongside the flowers so that I can enjoy Nettle Tea, soup, and stir fry all winter long.  Another seed we get to look forward to is Sweet Sultan. I saved some last year but not enough to sell. This year I go out an catch each little 'bowl' of sepals just as the flowy, flighty seeds are ready to burst forth from their little basin and when I tip them over the precious seeds come tumbling out  Sometimes the hens roam wide in search of all those grasshoppers just as Bae shows here as she forages for grasshoppers, grubs, and grass seed!  The Eucalyptus has been growing in the Dragon Dome greenhouse and as the temps drop it's time to cut and bring inside to dry so it can accentuate some potpourri, wreaths, and crowns The Spicy Mix Microgreens (radish on left, arugula on right) enjoy their just right time in the goldilocks comfort of the greenhouse. It helps them grow crisp, juicy, and tasty!  Luckily, Rainbow Swiss Chard isn't bothered too much by frosts (at least not until they wipe out everything else) and it just keeps on keeping on! The kittens get more and more comfortable in their space and eager to get out and explore, even if they still havta wait until I've kitten proofed to the best of my ability. Until then they just gotta enjoy the space they got, which they seem pretty good at (even if it means all the clothes in my closet will be adorned with their fur almost as much as they are!)  When there is a sunset on one side and rainbows on the other it makes you wish you had eyes on the back of your head because you might get whiplash from trying to enjoy both before they fade in the dying twilight sun What's available this week?
Where to find it all?
I'll be at the Farmers Market at Libby, this Thursday from 3-630pm! I'll be at the Troy Farmers Market, this Friday to drop off any orders, please order online or email me so I know to swing by!
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AuthorI'm Farmer Megan with a life full of cackles, clucks, quacks, weeds, crazy kitten, and one tiny, senior, blind dog. Archives
May 2023
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