Second-last market

Our second to last harvest. Photo: Mike Bomford

This week was the second to last harvest for the market! The harvest list included beets, carrots, potatoes, leeks, brussel sprouts, pumpkins and squash. With this being our second to last market many of us were reflecting about how quickly the season has gone by.

The class prepping the harvest for market. Photo: Mike Bomford

During our walk about today we looked at all the interesting things still happening on the farm. First, we checked out our carrot variety trial which will be harvested and saved for evaluation later on in the year. This trial is an awesome collaboration with BC Eco-Seeds comparing the growth of carrots from various seed producers.

Styrian Pumpkin. Photo: Australian Seed

We took a look at the squashes which are still in he field. The spaghetti squash will be left for a at least one week longer to ensure more shell hardening. This extra time ripening in the field will allow the squash to stay in storage longer. The Styrian squash which is an extra special variety that produces hulless seeds, perfect for pumpkin seeds that can be snacked on or used in recipes. 

We learned about how the brassica remains in the field can become an  excellent bio-fumigant which will protect the field from future pests. First, we must transfer  the remains to the compost bin will will allow for the leaves to decompose in an environment that produces heat.The heat will allow for proper decomposition making the resulting compost an excellent soil amendment. 

Nic Walser standing next to the compost pile full of brassica remains. Photo: Mike Bomford

We also spent some time learning about Stark's strawberry field trials which is comparing the growth from a control treatment which has no coverage and compares it to another treatment using a row cover and another which is using a low tunnel. The results from his research are still to come and we look forward to finding out more in his final research presentation.