Autumn Begins
The first day of fall was ushered in on September 23rd with the autumnal equinox. The nights become cooler and the days get progressively shorter. As stated on www.equinox-and-solstice.com" the darkness of winter is coming and it's time for the earth to sleep until the sun is again brought forth from the dark." In ancient times it was known as the second harvest (the first harvest was August 1st) and became synonymous with the end of summer.
Our harvest will continue to the end of October and the cool weather crops are doing well with the cool night temperatures. Tonight's potatoes are from Farmer Scott, also located in Wantage a few miles away. We only grow a small patch of potatoes (the red ones this year). He has a potato digger attachment for his tractor, so harvesting is much more efficient.
From the Fields: The late seeded turnips, mustards and radishes are all doing well. More celery is sizing-up as well as a fall crop of arugula. Celeriac is growing, but the voles have been nibbling the roots. We tilled up the back field for garlic planting in October. We are in the process in taking down some fences to replace (which is long overdue).
Weather Report: While rain was threatening, it never really materialized. Our first frost is on the horizon and in talking with our neighboring farmers that since all the warm-weather crops are shut down, the frost should not affect the crops negatively. In fact a light frost will improve the cool-weather crops like kale, mustards, daikons, turnips, and radishes.
Animal Report: The gourmet groundhog seemingly has disappeared. We had a visit from a Great Blue Heron who has been hanging out in the fields. They eat almost anything they can get their beaks on and luckily they don't eat vegetables.
Fruit Report: Cox's Orange PIppin Apples from Windy Brow Farm - This is the classic English apple, often regarded as the finest of all dessert apples. It arose in
Upcoming Events:
· Garlic Gathering - October 7-8 in Lafayette, NJ
· Garlic Day @ Arboretum - October 22nd -
Creature of the Week: 
Spider in the greenhouse - nice & plump from eating insects in greenhouse. Spiders are important & beneficial predators in the garden. They may look ugly & when they get this big are quite a site, but do their job by eating many garden pests. This is a yellow garden spider, known as one of the largest of the orb weavers, so called because of circular pattern of their webs.
Pick of the Week: Click on the link below (or on the right) for your drop-off location. This time of year the deliveries will be the same in pounds & variety but may include different items at each location.
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