A Note from Layton | Equinox Reflections

Thank you to all who stopped by our Equinox Pizza Party in the new barn! What a turnout, and what a night, and it was a true team effort that pulled it all off:

● Madi, Jo, Emma-June, Luca and Bryn helped out by cleaning the barn, running the lights, setting the tables, arranging tablescapes and garlands, and preparing the space

● Gabo and Esme built a gorgeous altar and equinox reflection space

● Jane and Bryn made beautiful flower arrangements throughout the barn

● Amber Waves Farm loaned us their oven for the evening

●Sean, Lauren and Quinn from The HOG Farm (Brookhaven) were our pizzaiolos for evening, slinging Quail Hill-inspired slices until we ran out!

● Springs Brewery and Nat Out East supplied us with tasty beverages enjoyed by all

● And all of YOU! who dropped by, brought a dish, brought your friends and family and helped us break in the new barn!

In the fields these days, we’re navigating the normal seasonal shifts alongside unusual levels of drought. You’ll see this show up in a number of ways: certain varieties of tomatoes, for instance, are hanging on the vine longer than usual, their flavor more intense and sweeter due to lack of rain. Sweet peppers have really slowed down, their fruits taking more time to ripen fully due to cooler nights and drier conditions. In the flower fields, you’ll notice that our zinnias have succumbed to a foliar issue called powdery mildew which, despite its name, thrives in cool, dry conditions.

But there is one crop that you will see very little of on Birch Hill this fall… The Great Pumpkin Caper of 2024™ will be written about for years to come. Picture this scene: it’s late June, prime time to sow these girthy gourds about our CSA field as we did in years past. The affair runs smoothly enough, and soon about 3200’ of aspiring jack-o-lanterns are happily growing in our fine silt loam. High Summer wanes to September, and a lone curious farmer (I, Layton) goes to inspect the crop. Wouldn’t you know it: the Pumpkins in question have virtually vanished. Fewer than fifty, anyway, in a field that should hold thousands. If you or someone you know has any information about the Great Pumpkin Caper of 2024™, please give us a ring on our anonymous tip line… aka, the shop, at 631.267.8492.

We just have a few more weeks of the summer CSA– if you haven’t yet, please sign up for our legendary Winter Share! We still have a few spots remaining. For more info and to sign up, email Megan Cuddy at MCuddy@PeconicLandTrust.org.

Take care, and see you in the fields,

Layton