Garlic at risk, planning the new year

We are still getting rain. We did skip one day, so we won’t beat the all-time record of 33-consecutive rainy days. Drainage in the fields is more or less keeping up with the new rain, but we still have standing water in some of our permanent plantings including the apple orchard and the blueberry planting. I have serious concerns about our garlic planting.

The garlic is planted in raised beds, but there is water standing in the aisles between. I haven’t poked around the tops of the beds, but I’m sure the soil there is waterlogged. We will have to wait to see if the garlic cloves have rotted or if they make it through. At best, it will be set back.

I’m still working on the big picture of what, if any, new projects to tackle this year and in the near future, as well as finalizing our records from last year. We have agreed with Claire to grow the winter squash for her CSA this year. I asked Ken Walker to give me an estimate on resurfacing the parking area and gravel farm road. We are getting to the point of more puddles and potholes than road. After the shock of his initial estimate, we talked about alternatives that would fix most of the problems at a lower expense. I do have some exciting new crop varieties in mind. I’ll have to start ordering seed soon before some varieties run out.

What’s playing in the Jeep CD player? Nickel Creek – Nickel Creek