This week we pulled out the last of the cherry tomato plants to make room for new rows of brassicas — broccoli, cauliflower, romanesco, and cabbage. The shorter days are changing the pace across the farm. Crops that used to turn around in 25 days are now taking closer to 40, reminding us that farming runs on light as much as labor.
We’ve been focused on weeding and weather prep ahead of a significant rain system moving in that seems to change every time we check the weather. Each afternoon ends with a farm sweep — flipping trash cans, rounding up tools, and covering tractors and heavy equipment to keep them dry through the storm. The kids are spending extra time having outdoor fun before they’re stuck inside or bound by rain jackets.
Seasonal Shift: Slowing Down with the Light
Fall’s shorter days are changing the rhythm of the farm. Growth is slower now — 25-day crops are taking closer to 40 — and our summer staples like eggplant and tomatoes are hanging on more out of habit than abundance. Luckily, our peppers have a sweet spot in the hoop house and can hang on much longer. They’re still producing, but soon it won’t make sense to keep so many plants in the ground for so little yield.
We’re trying to get ahead of that curve, pulling out the summer crops now while the soil is still workable. That gives us time to amend with compost, flame-weed the beds, check irrigation, and prep for winter planting before the next round of starts are ready to go. The goal is to keep the ground active, healthy, and producing — not through nonstop planting, but through smart transitions that give the soil a break between plantings.
It’s a slower pace, but an intentional one. This is the time of year when good planning pays off in healthier crops and better harvests down the line.
Soil & Roots: Feeding the Earth that Feeds Us
Most of our fall work happens below the surface. As the fruit trees start to shed their leaves, we’ll spread compost and mulch around their bases — a regenerative practice that restores nutrients, improves water retention, and keeps weeds at bay without chemicals.
The compost adds organic matter and beneficial microbes that strengthen the soil year after year, while the mulch protects and insulates it through winter. These small steps replace the need for fertilizer sprays and build healthier, more resilient soil — the kind that can handle drought, rain, and whatever else the season brings.
Try This at Home: Feed Your Trees Naturally
If you have fruit trees or shrubs at home, you can try a smaller version of our orchard practice.
- Clear a wide ring around each tree, two to three feet from the trunk.
- Add a 1–2 inch layer of compost to feed soil microbes and improve structure.
- Top with 3–4 inches of mulch — shredded leaves, straw, or wood chips work great.
- Keep both layers away from the trunk to prevent rot.
This simple, no-spray method improves soil health, helps retain moisture, and gives your trees a boost heading into next spring.
New on the Website: Microgreens Guide
We’ve just published a new Microgreens Guide on our website — a quick, helpful resource for anyone curious about how these tiny plants pack so much power. It includes nutrient profiles, how we grow, and ways to use sunflower, radish, pea shoots, spicy, and mild microgreen mixes at home.
Microgreens are among the most nutrient-dense foods you can eat — up to 40 times richer in vitamins and antioxidants than their mature counterparts. They’re quick to grow, endlessly versatile, and will soon be a regular part of our winter CSA boxes.
📗 Read the guide here: dare2dreamfarms.com/microgreens-guide
What’s Inside?
Check out what’s inside this week’s box, discover the value of the items and how to keep them fresh, and see our curated recipe using items in this week’s harvest!
Essentials Box
Cost: $18 | Retail Value: $26 | You Save: $8.00
- Butternut Squash (1ct) $5
- Red Onion (1lb) $3
- Italian Frying Peppers (1lb) $5
- Tetsu Squash (1ct) $5
- Rainbow Carrots (1lb) $3
- Oranges (1lb) $5
Original Box
Cost: $30 | Retail Value: $42.00 | You Save: $12.00
- Essentials Box, plus:
- Parsley (1bu) $3
- Broccoli (1ct) $5
- Striped German Tomatoes (1lb) $5
- Rosemary (1bu) $3
Hearty Box
Cost: $42 | Retail Value: $55.00 | You Save: $13.00
- Original Box, plus:
- Torpedo Onions (1lb) $4
- Swiss Chard (1bu) $3
- Dill (3oz) $3
- Kohlrabi (1lb) $3
Values are based on farm stand and regional farmers market pricing for comparable produce.
Know Your Veg: Tetsu Squash
If you’ve never cooked with Tetsu squash, you’re in for a treat. Sometimes called “Japanese Iron Squash,” this unique heirloom variety is named for its tough, iron-like skin — but don’t let that intimidate you. Inside, the flesh is smooth, dense, and deeply sweet, similar to kabocha but a little drier and nuttier.
Tetsu is ideal for roasting, soups, or curries, where its texture can shine without turning watery. Once cooked, the flavor is rich and buttery, with notes of chestnut and sweet potato. You can roast wedges with olive oil and salt for a simple side, or cube and toss it into your favorite fall stew.
Like most winter squash, Tetsu is also nutrient-dense — full of beta-carotene (for eye health), potassium, and fiber, while being naturally low in calories.
Prep Tip: The rind is tough, so use a sharp knife and take your time cutting. Once roasted, the skin softens and can be eaten for extra nutrients.
For full details on this week’s harvest list, including a recipe for Chicken Soup With Toasted Farro and Greens, storage tips, most popular FAQs, and partner farms, you can view the complete newsletter at the link below.
