Field Notes

As the sun rises over the fields, the light hits the top of the newly planted tomatoes. Their green leaves stretch to the sky ready for a new day's growth.  This is just one of the pleasures of being in the fields at sunrise.  The field crew and I have our pick list, twist ties, and crates in hand, searching the rows for the first heads of lettuce.  It is a morning of celebration: our first day for picking.  We select the most perfect heads in the rows-just the right size, color and shape.  I peel back the first set of leaves on a freshly cut head of Boston lettuce to taste.  The memories of last year come to mind with the satisfaction of having the sweet taste of summer back again.

Every year is different, whether the rain lingers into the spring or the cold winds of winter sneak back.  I always hope that the fields will be fertile and will produce the bounty that we all enjoy.  Months of planning have brought us to this day.  I awake early, pour a cup of coffee and walk my way to the farm, as I do every day.  However this day will bring the smell of freshly plowed fields.  One moment the field is green with winter rye grass and the next it is golden with the glow of soil.  Soon we will plant the fields with the seedlings we have nurtured in our greenhouses. Seeds, ready to burst from their jackets, will be placed gently in the beds of soft soil.   As the weeks go by, the field will flush with color from one side to the other.  Starting with summer squash plants, followed by the spinach seedlings, then the radish and arugula seeds will push their way out of the soil.  I can see the lines develop as the seeds germinate.  We will cultivate the weeds, irrigate with water and watch for any pest trying to eat the plants before we can.  This will become a weekly routine at Allandale.

The real magic will occur when the first person walks into the farm stand and the smell of tomatoes fills the air.  They will smile, then jump at the sight of those ruby orange globes on the table.  Tomatoes are not the only crop we grow but they are by far the most sought after when the time comes.  I hope you’ll try all the other crops we grow.  The fire of the first radishes, the sweet taste of the spring lettuce, the smooth texture of the various eggplants and the succulent taste of the summer squash.  Crops are always changing at Allandale Farm. I encourage you all to stop in and taste the seasons with us.

Farmer Jim