Well, harvest is over and done and nearly put to rest. Seeds are in the dryer and soon they’ll be pressed and bottled. Another frustrating year, our field produced nothing and thank goodness our neighbors did!

The first shot is our crew, Adrian, Bob and yours truly being silly. The second is of Bob and Ken about to unload the seeds from Kate’s field. The harvester (Mister orange) works like a charm.

Explains why my posts here have been so scant. Not much to report.

Cool and wet summers do not favor pumpkins. Yet we’re already planning to really work our land into shape for 2016. I know, sounds bonkers and who knows how we’ll feel come spring.

We’re not giving up this dream of ours. We’re not!

Happy Fall Wonderful YOUZ!

 

 

Look at this little gem.

Trying its very best to outgrow our ‘organic weeds’. One of the challenges of maintaining a field of pumpkins, or any organically grown field-crop for that matter, is weed pressure. No matter how much you cultivate or disc or fuss or worry, the weeds will march down the aisles and try and take over the dang field! As I walk along the rows, wringing my hands and cussing, I’m also amazed and grateful and full of hope. Farming is pretty nuts especially when no one has done this before.

Maybe there’s a reason…

Okay, so this isn’t the best picture. I am really not known for my action shots. But these people worked their little tales off putting 3 seeds in each little cell and moving like there is no tomorrow. Had a great day with them all. Now I visit the greenhouse ever day to water and hope. HOPE like mad these babies grow. Using one’s own seeds is a little nerve-wracking. You just don’t know if they’re going to germinate. Even though we did a test run over the winter. As the saying goes, results may vary. As in SCARY!!!!!

Finally!

We begin our new season. Mary Ann is a new helper and she was amazing! As was Bob & Adrian. Now we wait…They planted 304 trays with 3 seeds each cell. 50 cells per tray. All with our own seeds. Sure wish that we had more heat going on. Get some sun people!!! Can’t wait to get these babies in the ground. I’ll keep you posted, you know.

Fingers CROSSED!

You hate to say this but I think it is very unlikely deer are checking this FB page. We have no, zero, not one bit of deer damage so far this year. Same with the cucumber beetles, did not see a one in the field. These are our two major pests and the deer could show up but so far, so good!

Ladies and Gentlemen, behold the 2013 pumpkin patch. Everything in the ground and doing well at our farm and the 3 other growers for this year’s crop.

Things are looking just great in the field. Very hot and humid here, bad for us, good for pumpkins. The first fruits are forming.

This is really good and really easy. Drizzle pumpkin seed oil on popcorn, salt and toss.

Even better if you use popcorn from friend, neighbor and HRPSO pumpkin grower, Kate Stout, North Creek Community Farm.

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