Last week, Farmer Jeremy mentioned that it had been a mild October, and that it was surprising that there still hadn’t been the first frost of the autumn yet.
In the week since, we saw that first frost, followed by the biggest October snowstorm in recorded New Jersey history.
Power was on and off at Howell Farm since the storm and was only restored for good late last night.
Most of the snow has already melted, but white patches linger in the shade.
The storm knocked down tree branches at Howell Farm, and many cornstalks as well. Now, when schoolchildren venture out in the cornfield to look for ears to harvest, they have to look at their feet as well as above their heads.
Preparing for next year’s corn planting, Farmer Jeremy has been keeping an eye out for any especially large, healthy looking ears of corn that end up in the back of the farm wagon. When he spots one, he puts it aside for use as seed corn. The idea is that the largest, healthiest ears will pass on their genes when replanted.
In the week since, we saw that first frost, followed by the biggest October snowstorm in recorded New Jersey history.
Power was on and off at Howell Farm since the storm and was only restored for good late last night.
Most of the snow has already melted, but white patches linger in the shade.
The storm knocked down tree branches at Howell Farm, and many cornstalks as well. Now, when schoolchildren venture out in the cornfield to look for ears to harvest, they have to look at their feet as well as above their heads.
Preparing for next year’s corn planting, Farmer Jeremy has been keeping an eye out for any especially large, healthy looking ears of corn that end up in the back of the farm wagon. When he spots one, he puts it aside for use as seed corn. The idea is that the largest, healthiest ears will pass on their genes when replanted.
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