Fall Farm & Putting another season to rest

The first snow of the year, if any, seems like the best time to write the last blog for this farm season. This morning we woke to ankle deep snow and it hasn't stopped snowing late in the day. 

As we transitioned into Fall, it is a time to accept that the goals set with big Spring dreams were either met or not. The last harvest has been pulled out of the ground and we are thankful for the delicious bounty we received this year. As we transition into our Winter selves, we have only open minds and hearts for next year. Instead of playing in the dirt, we will be skiing big mountains in Utah for the next few months as the farm sleeps.

One big change coming next year will be the farm transitioning to the other large field that we have never grown on before. This will begin our big crop rotation for years to come. This Fall, Morgan ditched, brush hogged, plowed and disced the new field. Next year, our main annual production will be in that area.

Main annual field for the last two years. Currently, 2015 garlic crop.

Transitioning to the new field

New drainage is key. We also ditched the entire length of the property all the way past the orchard and perennial gardens in the lower bottom of the property.

As the farm started to slow down, we spent the cool days marking off some big farm projects. The 5,000+ bulbs of garlic are in the ground and the perennial garden is complete. We replaced the ten fruit trees we lost in our orchard, filled in holes in the flower gardens, planted hundreds of Spring bulbs and established rhubarb and sunchoke plots.

Ten replacement fruit trees. 51 trees total in our young orchard.

My old buddy from college, Christian, came in time to help with some projects.

Filling in perennial flower holes. I established 12 gardens this year and can't wait to see everything in bloom next season.

One of the last gardens built this year.

Spiral bulb garden

Finishing the perennial garden

Double the strawberries next year!

Sunchokes

Rhubarb baby

"Walking" Egyptian perennial onions

Root Bottom Farm had a phenomenal season with weather, sales and production. We marked a lot of things off lists and, of course, added more things to the list for next year. We enjoyed fruitful harvests, some perennial crops made their debut and we received a lot less rain than last year. We were lucky enough to be a stop on the popular ASAP Farm Tour and continue to get our name and products out there. A lot of great friends, family and volunteers visited the farm this year. In so many ways it is bittersweet to have the last harvest this week. But as the days get shorter, we are reminded why we love the seasonal life we currently live. In November, we look forward to our next big adventure; rowing the Grand Canyon with 14 great friends for 18 days on a private, non commercial rafting trip. This is a trip of a lifetime and a large mark through a bucket list item for both of us.

We look forward to spending the Winter skiing in Utah again and we will return in the Spring with renewed energy and love for this land we live and work on. 

Tearing out the annual garden

Seed saving

 

 

Flame weeding the garlic.  Not only do you get to look like a Ghostbuster, but its a great way to curb early weeds.

Fall peas

 

Broccoli love

Final harvests included microgreens, beets, carrots, collards, kale, chard, arugula, lettuce, broccoli, sweet potatoes and peas.

 

 

 

100% Root Bottom Farm // Microgreen salad, fried green tomatoes, broccoli, garlic butter, Winter squash & baked eggplant

I never found and arrowhead until this year. Now they keep finding me.

Sweet Potatoes.

Beets and barn light.

Gathering black walnuts

Fried green tomato time

I like preserving the harvest almost as much as I love picking apples and eating applesauce.

Our roots run deep.

 

  

What kind of Winter do you predict Woolly worm?

I won't miss these little guys I caught this Fall.

 

But I will miss this sweet face. Cats always know the best place to spend the day.

See you in the Spring.