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Thursday, August 20, 2020

Dear email subscribers,

I really hope the rain that the weather app is saying is supposed to come actually comes. I've been getting in the (bad) habit of seeding crops and then just crossing my fingers that it will rain. While I am a self proclaimed champion hose dragger, it doesn't mean I like to do it. (But really, I can drag multiple hoses, all connected to make one realllllly long hose, in and out of farm rows and aisles, without squashing any plants.) I'll do it if I have to, when there is no rain in the forecast, so quite often during the summer. Luckily, once the seeds germinate the drip irrigation does the job. So anyway, let's just hope that it rains tonight!

I've been learning a lot about what farm tasks I like to do and which I don't. Pretty much anything that has to do with irrigation I don't like to do. One thing that I do like to do is weed. I'm kind of a glutton for difficult endurance activities. I like the places my mind goes when I'm forced to do repetitive and uncomfortable tasks. (backpacking, bike touring, spreading literal tons of mulch on hot days, you get it...) Another thing that I love more than anything is talking to you all! (and the other customers at market not lucky enough to receive our newsletter, yet. ;) ) I think a lot of farmers like farming because they want to spend their days away from other people, but I've learned that the long days alone wouldn't be worth it if I didn't get to enjoy the literal fruits of our labor with community. So thank you.

Here's your official notice that some of the crops in the field are slowly winding down (carrots, beets, zucchini, head lettuce). I feel kind of blindsided by this. I feel like I didn't emotionally prepare myself for it, and it's making me surprisingly sad! I think I can honestly say this has been the fastest summer on my life. I'm learning about what it feels like to measure a summer in successions. When you plan for 6 successions of head lettuce, you eventually harvest that last one, and then you're just done. I guess I'm just not ready for the last of anything to come out of the field, and for the last of anything to be brought to market. It's funny because there was definitely a point this summer when I was so done with planting and so ready to take a break. Next year when tired mid-summer Melissa doesn't feel like putting any more seeds in the ground, please remind her that we're all going to want more food come September and October.

Don't get too sad yet though! We've got fall cabbage, broccoli (I hope!), lots of peas, beans, arugula, spinach, and tat soi growing!

And there you have it! A very rambly and strange email. Thanks for reading along :)

All the best from our tiny farm,

Melissa and co.