KNOPP BRANCH NEWS
Modern Mythology
U
rban Myth # 1: Farmers, like
bears, hibernate in the winter.
Maybe in the far north where it freezes solid in October and does
not thaw out until late May. Down south, change of seasons simply
means change of crops. While our Yankee counterparts are sitting
in front of warm fires, sipping wine and perusing the seed catalogs
dreaming of the season to come, the southern cousins are hard
at work. We are busy harvesting the crops planted in the heat
of summer and we continue to start subsequent batches of cool
loving vegetables and greens. Potatoes are finally in the ground
and the real work of starting the flats of summer vegetables must
begin. Did we mention the fruit trees and grapes and berries that
must be pruned and trained while dormant? Also the new vines,
canes and trees that must be planted? And the 100 asparagus crowns
that need setting out in new beds that had to be dug? Of course,
we must not let the 3000 leek sets fall off the list of planting
chores. While the seasonal jobs somehow get accomplished there
is the regular business of leaf collecting and compost making
to continue in preparation of the next seasons’ soil needs. The
closest the deep south comes to dormancy is August, when it is
just to hot to move.
Urban Myth # 2: Southern Farmers
spend the month of August, lolling on the beach, sipping margaritas
while perusing seed catalogs and dreaming of the season to come.
The source of this fairytale was traced to a northern farmer, returning home in a stupor after an 18 hour day in the fields when the sun finally set.
Urban Myth # 3: Visitors are
not welcome at working farms. They interfere with work in progress.
Visitors are very welcome at Knopp Branch Farm. Mostly because
we shamelessly put them to work or better yet, use them as an
excuse to take a break and have a walk-about.
Country Myth # 1: City dwellers
do not have the foggiest idea of what life on a farm entails.
Urbanites think we swan around in pristine ironed white shirts
and starched coveralls and sip lemonade under shade trees and
chew straw. We strongly urge you to become a mythbuster and pay
us a visit. Directions to the farm are on our web site. Call and
let us know you are coming so you won’t catch us napping.
Knopp Branch Farm
Sustainable, Organic Family Farming
11041 FM 822 Donna,
Ernest, Harry, Nick & Anna Roth
Edna, TX 77957
361-782-7445
