This week at the farm we watched our cover crops of forage radish and winter rye fill in the empty spaces which have finished being harvested this season. They will help maintain and replenish the soil for next spring. Monarch butterflies danced about a circus of zinnias and cosmos by the herb beds where we are cutting gorgeous bunches of rosemary and lavender.  Zucchini is surging again and we continue to pick cucumbers, peppers, eggplant and beans as well. Our leafy greens such as kale, chard, lettuce, and bok choy are looking great. Baby greens such as arugula, mesclun, and stir fry are gorgeous and tender. We started back with our own spring onions and even the fall crops have kicked off. Walking down a jungle aisle of cauliflower and peaking through their elephant leaves I uncover heads of cauliflower, this one bright yellow, that one deep purple. They are hidden under leaves like gift wrap and the newness of their billowy flowers mimics clouds although they are firm and dense.

The sunflowers are feeling heavy insect pressure from aphids and we are currently researching how to cope with aphids and whitefly on the brassicas before they become too much of a problem. We will be planting next springs garlic this week as well. We just picked up the plants today and can’t wait to get them in the ground. Have a great week everyone.