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In the last 10 days, we’ve received 7 inches of rain, with one storm totaling over 5 inches (see previous post). Although the crew can finally cross the river to harvest in the other fields, this rain doesn’t just impact the harvest. It impacts disease, pest, and weed pressure, along with adding time to washing it. Many of you have expressed concern and have asked how you can help. Although we do not need assistance right now, we ask for your patience and understanding each week as we try to rebuild what this rain has damaged.![]()
There are a lot of farms that have lost everything and we’d love to show our support—for those who would like to help, please consider donating to our close neighbors in Vermont and Massachusetts. Links below.![]()
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www.nofavt.org/services-resources/other-resources/blog/ways-support-farmers-impacted-weeks-devast...![]()
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www.buylocalfood.org/get-involved/july-2023-flooding-support-local-farms/
The farm received 5 inches of rain in the storm earlier this week. We usually welcome rain in the heat of a dry summer, but this was far too much in too short of a time. As you can see in the photos above, the farm was hugely impacted by this deluge. Our fields straddle the Tomhannock Creek, which is fed by the headwaters of MA and VT (also largely impacted by this storm). Most of our fields are on the other side of the creek, meaning we have to cross the creek multiple times a day/week to harvest. The creek is now far too high to be able to cross, and therefore impacts what we are able to harvest this week. Our crew has worked incredibly hard to harvest what crops were ready on “this side” of the creek for this week and we are hoping the fields drain quickly so future harvests are not impacted.![]()
Water is pooling in the wheel tracks of some beds and in our drive lanes, making getting around challenging and slower than usual. Portions of beds are fully saturated and plants have been in standing water since Monday. We’re hoping the sun and heat the next few days will dry this moisture up so it doesn’t have long lasting effects on future crops and harvests. Soil compaction can also occur from heavy rain which we can hopefully combat with the use of adding organic matter and cover crops later this summer and fall.
This past week the crew started harvesting the garlic! Over the next week, each bed will get mowed 6-8 inches above ground, dug with the digger bar on the tractor, and then hand pulled and cleaned by our crew with the roots and stalks trimmed again. It will then be cured for a few weeks before heading out to CSA members and our wholesale accounts. In photo 3, you can see the tractor pulling the digger bar to loosen the bulbs. Photo 4 shows an unharvested bed of garlic on the left, a bed that has already been mowed and dug in the center (currently being harvested), and on the right, the bed has been totally harvested and re-tilled for a summer cover crop. It is a long process but definitely worthwhile!
It's not too late to sign up!
A few shares remain available. Call 518-664-2510 or email Justine Denison to sign up for the 2023 Denison Farm CSA.
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