First Frost, Etc.

We've had some blazingly brilliant days and cool nights here on the farm, with our first light, patchy frost just a week ago.  Fall is a time I am both excited and relieved by every year, and I'm glad to see it's here again.  Just in time to save us from our ridiculously prolific tomatoes!  Late blight and frost pulled the old one-two on those solanums, and now all that's left are some fat brandywines slowly going soft on the windowsill.

North Branch Farm is in a bit of a frost pocket, so when the weather forecast for Monroe says the night will be clear and 42 degrees or lower, we assume we'll get a touch of frost.  And if there's anything winter squash doesn't like, it's just that.  Last Sunday, we harvested our entire squash crop--about two-thirds of an acre--in a day.

Crates of Red Kuri in the field

The last of three wagonloads of squash

Half of our harvest crew: Seth, Kirsten, Willie, Clayton, Timmy, and Katya

Last week we also opened our North Branch Farm stand, right in front of the farm, where we sell all our standard fall crops along with some leafy greens and fresh herbs and any other home garden items we have in surplus.  In a month from now, we'll be selling at two farmers' markets--the Bangor European Market, Saturday 9:30-1 on Buck St; and the Ellsworth Woodlawn Market, from 11-2 on Sundays, so we've been gearing up for that as well.  We hope to see some of you there!