First Frost, Straggling Salmon, and Winter on its Way

Leaves are a-falling and it seems oh-so-dark when the alarm clock goes off in the morning. Brrrr! The season’s first frost whitened the fields and countryside this week, just as we finished placing hoops and protective fabric over our spinach, scallions, broccoli and other crops. Checking the weather models regularly keeps us ahead of the game, if only by a hair.

Harvest continues, with all of the wonderful foods of the season suddenly upon us: Brussels’ sprouts, winter squash, potatoes, parsnips and celery root, to name a few. These good, hearty foods fuel the body after a long day’s work outside in the elements–even the dark leafy greens seem more appealing now that the weather has turned chilly.

There are still a few Coho salmon to be seen making their way up Griffin Creek, and as soon as the run is over, it will be time to remove the boardwalk which leads to the berry field. The bridge section rests innocuously on either bank from spring to fall, but if heavy rains cause a sudden torrent, the force of the water rushing against and around the structure could wash out the banks, damaging stream bed contours as well as water quality. We take our salmon stewardship seriously at Full Circle.

Around the Griffin barn, our cats, stouter now in their winter coats, nap in pockets of precious sunshine when not lurking about the garden for chickadees. The swallows are gone; a kingfisher scolds from the trees. Office floors are muddy. Is that farm Haiku?