Tiptoeing past the graveyard

The aftermath of superstorm Sandy has led to predictable and also some unpredictable postscripts.  Along with all the reporting of loss of life, damage to property and potential losses caused by the storm, some commenters were actually, if diffidently bringing up the 500 lb. gorilla in the room; namely, climate change.  In this rabidly anti-science 21st century America, even the 97% of climate scientists who agree on the manmade nature of global warming can be shouted down by a college dropout who rants daily on talk radio.  That such a profoundly stupid man can shape the national dialogue is a sad footnote in the story of our decline as a nation.  Meanwhile, the voices of sanity are starting to sound albeit tentatively regarding the long term dangers of climate change.  When the corporate overlords of weather outlets such as the weather channel stop muzzling their employees, there will be educated counterbalances to gas bags like Limbaugh.  In the meantime, the government needs to educate citizens regarding the catastrophe we face and to lead efforts to combat the pernicious effects of greenhouse gases on our biosphere.  It may be too late to avert some of the consequences, but to not attempt amelioration would be suicidal.  Meanwhile, I hope to get next year's garlic crop in the ground this weekend.

Storms of the century

I have rarely seen a category 1 hurricane hyped as much by the media as Sandy has been for the past several days.  Perhaps the confluence of other systems and factors has combined, along with the sheer size of the storm to give it the necessary strength and longevity to warrant the buildup.  Or, less charitably, the media is looking for something besides the presidential race to blow up.  Either way, we will know later today if it is real or if it is the usual hysteria.   We have already had several "storms of the century" and it is only 2012.  500 year floods are a commonplace, and it looks like Sandy will generate another.  At some point, perhaps the "very serious people" will tell us that yes, we can believe the relentless drumbeat of scientific evidence of climate change and get down to the hard work of dealing with it.  Meanwhile, I am in sunny southern California for a couple of days.  I had planned this trip before the weather blew up, so I would probably be here in any case, but there are many unscheduled visitors left stranded as the airports in the Northeast are closed today.  Ah well, we must all suffer these slings.

New normal weather

This is another in a series of posts on weather.  We are somewhat above normal for temp and rainfall this autumn, and it looks like more of the same as we slide into next week.   A powerful storm in the Carribean may interact with several other fronts moving across the continent and deliver a powerful blow to the mid atlantic states.  That this is happening points to the increasing variability of weather as it relates to agriculture.  Early plantings in Florida will be in jeopardy as this new rain maker dumps on the peninsula.   The late harvest in Virginia and New Jersey will be problematic with a big rainfall.  It is a shame and a scandal that neither political campaign has addressed the problems associated with climate change.  Maybe it will take an abnormal and catastrophic weather event to get the discussion started.

mild weather

Although we had a little frost this morning, the forecast for the next few days is nothing short of spectacular.  Sunshine and temps in the low 70s on Thursday and Fri. remind me of Virginia weather this time of year, not fall in the NCR.  The cole crops and spinach continue to look good and even continue to grow.  The late planting of savoy cabbage is thriving, as are the beets and carrots.  Of course, the hammer can come down suddenly and close us up in a hurry, so let's enjoy the weather as it is.

Rain, Rain, go away

I should bite my tongue, but this is ridiculous.  The garlic needs to be planted and the last of the fall veg needs to mature, but all of a sudden, it's the rainy season here on the NCR.  I'm sure we are closing in on our average rainfall for the year.  Too bad it is all concentrated in the time period we need it least.  The fall leaf season was mostly a washout, and now farmers with beans and corn in the field are starting to sweat, as conditions become more and more muddy.  With no heavy freezes predicted, the going will get tougher.  Vegetable growers trying to get potatoes and carrots into storage before the freeze are also nervous as the days slide by and the showers keep coming.   I know I will regret the title of this post next July, but WTF.

depression blues

The old excuse "They are waiting for their checks" is already being trotted out by the usual suspects to explain the lack of movement of fresh produce.  No one examines this claim very often, but I think it rests on shaky ground.  The assumption is people on the lower end of the economic scale are waiting for their social security, welfare, pension or other government support program largesse so they can rush out to stores and buy lots of fresh produce.  Unfortunately, studies have shown that lower economic status also equates to less produce consumption and poorer diet choices.  So the 47% are not really boosting produce sales.   My experience at the Farmer's market is mixed.  The clientele is a mix of high income professionals and food stamp recipients, and for the market to work, both must have their buying shoes on.  I have to admit I did not keep track of receipts at the end of each month as opposed to the beginning, but  I only have data from 5 months.  Meanwhile, the markets are quiet and everyone is looking for excuses.

Progression

A little more frost on the proverbial pumpkin this morning.  Temps are a little cooler than forecast, but no wind, so the hardy crops will continue to grow, especially with warmer weather and rain predicted for the end of the week.  Growers continue to be restless and worried about lack of movement on the wholesale and retail levels.  Prices continue to drop despite the lack of demand, even on storage crops.  The old saw that you should sell in a rising market and hold in a falling one is being turned on its head, as usual. 

Slow times in the Vegetable Biz

I doubt it is the coming elections that is producing the current malaise in the produce biz.  Neither of the presidential candidates seem to have strong feelings one way or the other regarding veggies.  Obama certainly has an edge, what with Michelle's garden on the south lawn.  You would think they would play up to the gardeners' vote.  I doubt Ann Romney has had dirt on her hands since she was a toddler.  Meanwhile, most wholesalers and retailers have written off the produce section until the Thanksgiving rush.  A few pumpkins for Halloween do not a market make. 

New Season

The big frost and my first bad cold in some time coincided on Sat. morning.  Temps dipped into the mid 20s and held for several hours, so most of the tender crops are done.  The galinsoga is also down, so that is a plus.  With the cold still sapping my strength, I couldn't accomplish much, but I did survey the damage and on Sunday, with the help of the divine Mrs. M was able to clear the beds where the garlic will be planted.  The weather has now turned warm again, so the rest of the garden should resume growth.   Alas, the tomatoes and peppers are history.

Winners and losers

The usual suspects performed about as expected on Monday night.   The cukes and beans look forlorn and are barely hanging on after a 35 degree low.  the tips of the tomatoes also took a hit, but the vines still look good.  Unfortunately, the thrice damned galinsoga weed was still growing strongly yesterday.   The weatherman is predicting 28 on Friday night, so that should take the weeds out as well as the aforementioned summer loving crops.  The brassicas continue to grow grudgingly, but the spinach plantings are gathering steam.  Next week should be warmer, so the last lettuce plantings will mature.  The weather continues to torment commercial growers in the northeast.  Although it is a little warmer than normal it is also a lot wetter.  What good are mature crops if you can't harvest them.

First Frost

Well, old man winter poked his finger in my eye this morning.  I had to scrape the windshield and find some washer fluid to get the ice off.  It will be interesting to see what damage occurred.  I hope the galinsoga was flattened anyway.

Hanging on

Still picking cucumbers and stringbeans in October here on the NCR.  I even found a 20 lb. watermelon in the weeds while picking up winter squash on Saturday.  It is amazing the frost is hold ing off for as long as it has.  If we dodge it tonight we will probably be good until Friday, although at this point, there is not a whole lot of frost susceptable veg out there.  The tomatoes are still green and trying to grow, but the ripening process is agonizingly slow and most of the ripe ones are cracking.  The peppers made a new set when it started to rain again, but they will never get large enough to pick.   That leaves the crucifers, spinach, beets, carrots, lettuce and other hardy stuff to keep things interesting as the month progresses.  The long range forecast is for above normal temps, so if the rain will hold off, there is still plenty of gardening to be done before winter closes in.

unseasonable seasons

We are still waiting for the first frost here on the NCR.  It was an unseasonable 55 degrees at 5:30 this morning and we will probably get to 70 today.  Unfortunately, this warmth is accompanied by intermittent wiper weather.  This nearly constant light rain is not helping maturity of crop which would ordinarily be croaked by frost anyway.  There are plenty of green tomatoes on the eerily green vines, but they can't seem to color up.  Meanwhile, the spinach is getting pale under the constant cloud cover.  The sun is threatening to come out today for a few minutes and that will help, but we are in for more rain tonight and tomorrow.  I can't help but think this is a harbinger of seasons to come.  Home grown tomatoes and lettuce for Thanksgiving day salads and spinach and cauliflower on Christmas.  That doesn't seem too fantastic anymore.

New Life in old places

Dug some potatoes on Sunday.  The interesting part of the story is they were green and growing, some 4 months after planting.  The vines never died an actually are putting on a second set of small potatos.  I harvested the sweet potatos also.  Some vines had virtually nothing underneath, while others had several 2 lb. tubers.  I think with adequate rainfall I would have had quite a few more usable sweets.  As they say, it's a learning process.  Still no frost predicted until this Sunday, so the beans, tomatoes and lettuce will continue to grow.  the cauliflower is finally starting to head up.  There are a few showing and more are starting to grow.  It has been a struggle for crucifers this year.  The rain has continued off and on for several days now and the soil is almost saturated, to the point I am starting to worry about planting garlic in mud later this fall.  I hope it is not the case, but the way the seasons have played out, nothing will surprise me.