What’s been going on!

No newsletter last week partly because we were working hard to catch up after all the rains and partly because I was undone at the prospect of a third Saturday in a row with rain.  We did have folks worried that maybe we had been flooded and that is why we didn’t send one out.

We did narrowly miss having the bottom field flood.  Saturday we were closely watching the river gauge at Haw River and when it crested at 22 feet we knew that we were in the twilight zone.  Above that level we will have water up into the crops for sure but at this level it all depends on how high the feeder creeks to the Haw River are and how much rain fell west of the Haw.  We are about 18 river miles from Haw River and it usually will crest down here about twelve hours after it peaks at the gauge.

Our bottom field is not right on the Haw River but about 2500 feet up our side creek and about 10-15 feet higher depending on how you measure it.  We know from previous floods what it takes to really hit us hard.  Of course the “bad one” was hurricane Fran with the 500 year flood level and we had water up to ten feet deep in the bottom.

At 7:00 p.m. when the river peaked in Haw River the water had already risen to about two feet lower than the irrigation pump so we went ahead and pulled it out assuming the real crest was still 12 hours away.  The next morning when we went down to see how high the water was it had already gone back down, problems averted this time around!

The saddest part of the last two weeks is that our great summer staff person, Lacey, has gone off to her winter pursuits and will not be coming back next year as she follows her dream of being in the circus (really).  She kept all of us on our toes and laughing.  Now we will have to find someone excellent to fill her shoes.

Picture of the Week

The creek is just on the other side of those trees and the water level about 3 feet below those crops.

What’s going to be at the market?

Finally a beautiful fall day at market and maybe the first frost coming Sunday night!

Not a lot of Colored Bells, partly the seasonal slow down that is affecting all the peppers.  A fair supply of Corno di Toros. Still a bit light on Anaheims and Poblanos this week.   Passillas, Jalapenos, Serranos, Cayennes, Picante Pimento in hots.  Shishitos and  Padrons slowing down quickly, for appetizers and other uses along and the Aji Dulces, the habanero without heat.

More baby Ginger and fresh Turmeric.  A few Japanese salad Turnips and plenty of Radishes.  Yukina Savoy, a good fall green and Asian Braising or Stir Fry mix too.  Dill and Cilantro.  Fennel and Lacinato Kale.  Butternut Squash and maybe some Sweet Potatoes.  Jerusalem Artichokes are back too!

As a reminder if there is anything that you would like for us to hold for you at market just let us know by e-mail, by the evening before, and we will be glad to put it aside for you.

Hope to see you all at the market!

Alex, Betsy and Jennie

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