As the curtain comes down on our 2022 CCFM season, it would seem like a good time to take a break, rest, and relax. And there may be a little R&R in there somewhere. But it’s really the best time both to tend to our fall and winter garden and to plan and experiment in preparation for next year. Plus, our plants didn’t get the memo that the market’s over. I expect we’ll have peppers at least until first frost!
We want to see how Chinese cabbage does in a Georgia winter, as well as try out a couple of winter greens mixes. There’s a lonely greenhouse frame sulking in the shed, too. Could it lead to squash and peppers in January? The off season is the time to find out. And there were definitely lessons learned along the way that we can now use to adjust our plan and system for next spring.
For those who have enjoyed our baked goods, as my daughter said, “Let’s make it even better next year!” She suggested a greater variety and rotating what we offer each market. There may also be a cottage food license on the horizon. The nonprofit nature of CCFM allows us to bake certain goods without the license, but we’d love to expand the selection a bit and be able to share these treats with our Market Wagon customers.
And finally, the break will give us time to upgrade our chicken coop and run so we can expand the flock and offer eggs alongside our produce and baked goods. Our small flock is full of troopers, but I’m sure they’d call in some reinforcements if they could.
It’s ambitious. It’s a little daunting. And it will be busy! But it’s exciting and fulfilling, too. We hope to have a few veggies to offer throughout the fall and winter, so check back here for details or visit us on the Market Wagon site.
Veggie Charm Gardens 