When the food's ready

The other day a friend asked when I was opening the CSA farm stand and without much thinking I blurted out, "When the food's ready." And that's the answer, but I think I was supposed to sound more thoughtful than that, to at least give the appearance that I had a plan. Well, I have a plan, but the truth is that my plan doesn't mean a damn thing. To state it and lay it out there is to do nothing but invite the laughter of the gods of wind and goddesses of hail and snow. To them I say, "No plans here. Nope, not a one. Just waiting on your benevolence. Just sittin' it out."

I'm starting my fifth season on the farm and like the last season, this season isn't like any of the others. The thing is that this season is even less like any of the other seasons that weren't much like any of the others. The blasted snowflakes keep showing up in the NOAA five-day forecast, one minute it's blasting sunshine, the next a cold wind comes down from Lucky Peak and as I look to raise my balled fist at it and curse, there's that lovely cloud of new snow falling in the highest hills. A cloud of white coming down, sprinkling moisture and a reminder of just which of us pushy women will have her way. I lower my fist and giggle. Good god I don't mean a thing and I like it.

So when I'm asked about when we're opening, the answer really is, when the food says to. Right now, tomatoes planted six weeks ago are only today begging for more shoe space. Brassica I'd normally be hardening off under a cold frame seem just as happy where they are in the big greenhouse. Chard and spinach direct seeded three weeks ago are saying, no way I'm poking my head out yet, nah, Think I'll just hang right here with the worms.

This year is doing whatever it wants and I am learning to shut up and enjoy it. Finally, a real winter in Idaho. Knowing I may never see another like it, I'm glad it's nothing like the others that weren't like the others. It's just like it ought to be. Grab your coat and hat and bend into it. The long hot summer is just a wave away.