Greetings, farm friends!

*A praying mantis on the high tunnel mums.*

Apologies for missing the JFX Market last weekend, unfortunately after I sent out the newsletter our market staff fell ill and we had to make the decision to take the weekend off. Fortunately, the entire farm crew is back in good health and enjoying the autumn weather now that the rains have subsided.

The rain, though desperately needed, was certainly a challenge to work with. Flowers are easily damaged in the rain, especially delicate ones like cosmos, scabiosa, and Japanese anemones— all of which are very in demand this time of year. We scrounged up just about every stem we could this week, and we’re hoping next week the plants will bounce back having had a good drink followed by some time to dry out. The demand for flowers this time of year is massive, but flowering always begins to slow down as the days grow shorter.

We’re pleased to say that we’ll have pawpaws for sale at the JFX market this weekend, and a new product: Pawpaw trees! The pawpaw seedlings we are selling were grown from seed on our farm. We selected seed from Two Boots trees that have consistently produced good fruit, in hopes of passing on these good characteristics from the parent trees to the seedlings. Seedlings are not identical to their parent trees, so fruit quality cannot be guaranteed (grafted trees are clonally identical, trees started from seed are not). For pawpaws to produce fruit, it is necessary to plant two trees, to ensure cross pollination. These seedlings should produce fruit in 5 to 8 years. For more information on growing pawpaw seedlings, check out this guide.

We’re back at the JFX Market this Sunday, October 1st.

This week’s market availability will feature bouquets, basil, bunches of dahlias, eucalyptus, celosia, sunflowers, and of course, our build your own bouquet bar. And PAWPAWS and pawpaw seedlings!

Thanks for reading, and happy autumn!

Amelia & The Two Boots crew

Autumn has Arrived