What an amazing summer we had this year!  I heard we had an almost record-breaking number of consecutive dry days for a Seattle summer. As much as we enjoyed the warm temperatures and sunshine most of the crops in the fields did the same, and weeds, too. I must say this summer was one of those summers that we had to fight hard with weeding.  Lots of sweat, let me tell you.  Also, we had a mildew issue with some of the crops like onions this summer. Asking other farmers and sharing information, I gathered from other that we all agree this summer was more humid than normal, which caused certain problems such as the mildew attack.  Although we could save our onions without fail (timely detection and appropriate action taken), it’s the reality of farming…never predictable, never boring.

And, that’s it, folks…summer is over.  Feeling a little sad, perhaps? But, you know, each season has its own perks, and no other season is quite like fall. It’s time to relish the crisp cool air for this time of year.  I always feel fall is a time of remembrance and reflection.  For farming it’s time to start winding down after all the hard work and sweat.  Fall is the best season with all the abundance and there’s good reason to celebrate a successful fall harvest.

As we enter the season’s transition into fall, certain crops are done or slowing down for the season such as beans, summer squash, tomatoes and corn.  The flip side of that is we are going to have the abundance of fall crops such as winter squash, pumpkins, leeks and potatoes. Winter greens and leafy vegetables continue to grow along with root crops such as carrots, beets, turnips, radish and kohlrabi.  By the way, we grew Ozette potato this year….a heritage potato with a wonderful flavor and a fascinating history. Ozette potato was introduced to Makah Nation people in 1791. At that time, explorers from South America built an outpost fort near Ozette Lake at Neah Bay, WA, but abandoned it about a year later. Since then, Ozette potato has been passed down by generations of Makah gardeners. Now we have this legendary and distinctive Ozette potato grown locally here at the 21 Acres farm and ready for you to taste the legend from farm to table!  Goodbye summer, Hello autumn. Let’s enjoy fall harvest!

— Farmer John