September 18, 2024

As the season continues its turn toward autumn, the fields are changing at our farms. At Willowbrook Farm, cover crop has sprouted in the field that is being prepared for next year’s garlic. Cover crops are an organic grower’s best friend. They return nutrients to the soil and prevent erosion, all without the addition of synthetic fertilizers. Most cover crops contain a mixture of grasses and legumes that take nitrogen out of the air and store it in their roots. This nitrogen is then released into the soil, along with other essential nutrients, when the cover crop is cut and tilled into the soil. This process can be completed quickly – only a month or so – and then the field is ready for replanting. Garlic will be planted in this cover cropped field one month from now, and we will enjoy that harvest next year. Along with crop rotation – growing produce in different fields each year – cover crops help improve the health of a farm’s soil instead of depleting it. Just one more reason to support local organic farms – they are improving the health of our soils and environment!

Tomatoes are still kicking! It has been a great year for tomatoes, and we are so grateful for that. I’ve included another recipe that uses tomatoes below in case you are struggling to eat them fresh. And remember, for the best flavor and texture, store your tomatoes at room temperature with the stem side facing down. Apples are back this week with a Golden Delicious variety from Willowbrook Farm. Along with apples, eggplant, onions, potatoes, and sweet peppers really make it feel like fall is here. Lots of recipes with roasted veggies are in my future!

Have a cozy week!
Meghan

What’s in your basket – September 18th

Apples – Willowbrook Farm
Eggplant – Whipstone Farm
Onions – Willowbrook Farm
Potatoes – Whipstone Farm
Radishes – Willowbrook Farm
Sweet Italian peppers – Willowbrook Farm
Tomatoes – Whipstone Farm

Radishes freshly harvested.

Golden Delicious apples.

Cover crop sprouting in the future garlic patch.