So many things are happening this November & Country Roads!
This is a heads up that you’re going to get three (3!!) newsletters in pretty quick succession. I know that’s a lot but there really is a lot going on at this “coming down” time of the year!
First up – THE REST OF THE GARLIC IS IN – and there is PLENTY of time to plant it! I’ve planted garlic as late as the bridge week between Christmas and New Year’s when I finally had time – and had a bumper crop. The goal is to get the garlic in to the ground after the ground has started to chill, but isn’t yet frozen – and an incidental freeze up doesn’t count. Planting too early means that the newly emerging plants may be at the wrong stage for successful wintering. We’re still weirdly warm for this time of year and recommendations from places further north (so arguably colder – like Maine and mid-Vermont) are for planting garlic by Thanksgiving or shortly thereafter. We’re totally safe to plant here in central Massachusetts! Here are the varieties that we currently have in stock: Russian Red, German Red, Georgian Fire and German Extra Hardy. All are hard neck varieties (grow scapes in the summer) and are cold tolerant and very tasty.
Some garlic thoughts to remember:
Garlic needs a nutrient rich environment in order to grow well. This means you’ll need to add an organic fertilizer to the planting area when planting unless your bed is quite rich – and plan on side dressing in early June.
Mulching after planting helps to keep the soil system even temperature with warm up and cool downs moderated nicely – easy on those newly developing roots.
The garlic we’re carrying here at the store is from Maine Potato Lady, and one of the reasons that we buy from them is that they certify that their garlic varieties have tested negative for garlic bloat nematode, white mold, and botrytis. This means you’re starting with clean cloves with a much higher chance of success.
So, that’s it for garlic!
Now on to the next topic – COUNTRY ROADS!! What is this you ask?? Let me tell you 😊 It’s a spectacular month long event (11/9-12/8) that celebrates North Central Massachusetts in the best possible way – by introducing you to 18 small, local businesses (we’re one of them) and the lovely country roads that they’re found on (although Rt 2A not so much a lovely country road – but easy to drive on!!). Every one of these stores – from the smallest to the largest – is putting their best foot forward to highlight the upcoming holiday season and how their business fits in to that collage. Stop in to our store to pick up your passport, get it stamped at all 18 stores and be eligible for a $900 aggregated prize to be drawn after the event wraps up. While you’re visiting, check out all of our local vendors that we highlight in the gift shop, the houseplants, the birding supplies (you have to check out the giant birdseed wrapped pine cones!), the dog and cat treats and toys and so very much more. We’re happy to be part of this local economy project and are happy to answer any questions.
Now for a quick word about local economy…since COUNTRY ROADS is all about local economy…I know, I know – more details!! But…this is important for all kinds of local community effects and stability. “When money circulates within the community, it creates a multiplier effect, benefiting multiple local businesses and individuals.” Those are big words – and I hooked them from John Newby and his blog – Building Main Street, not Wall Street. And that, of course, is the crux of the problem – EVERY time we shop on line or at a big box store, our money (hard earned!!) leaves the local economy and heads for Wall Street.
If you’re curious, here’s John’s summation of the multiplier effect and it’s one of the clearest I’ve read (doesn’t mean that it’s an easy read!!)
“Studies find the multiplier for local spending typically ranges from 3 to 7, meaning that each dollar spent locally generates an additional $2-$6 of economic activity in the community. The multiplier effect occurs because local businesses are more likely to spend their revenue within the community as well.
To better illustrate how the multiplier effect works, let's follow a $100 purchase through several rounds of local spending, assuming a conservative 50% of each transaction stays local: First, the consumer spends $100 at local bookstore. Secondly, the bookstore spends $50 locally (wages, rent, etc.) Thirdly, recipients of that $50 spend $25 locally. Fourth, recipients of that $25 spend $12.50 locally. Fifth, recipients of that $12.50 spend $6.25 locally. That simple illustration led to total economic impact of $193.75. This simplified example shows a multiplier of nearly 2x. In reality, the effect would likely be stronger as some participants may spend more than 50% locally, and the cycle continues beyond 5 rounds.
Now let's compare this to a $100 online (or big box store – my note!) purchase: First, consumer spends $100 online. Secondly, perhaps $10 stays local as wages for delivery driver and so forth. Thirdly, driver spends $5 locally. Fourth, recipients of that $5 spend $2.50 locally. That total economic impact was only $17.50. These two examples show how quickly money can leave a local economy when spent non-locally. The difference in local economic impact between these two $100 purchases is $176.25 - more than 11 times greater for the local purchase.”
Ok -that’s more than enough of that kind of mental gymnastics! But interesting you have to admit 😊 and it provides that wider economic outlook at what’s happening in our region and where COUNTRY ROADS fits in, why it’s important and how your decisions fit in too.
Now for a heads up on the next newsletter.
As I mentioned at the beginning – there’s a lot going on and some of it’s not so good… The next newsletter will cover the drought and how that’s affecting everything from forest health, to gardens and landscapes to back yard chicken health. This is a big topic and needs its own newsletter – that will also include a survey (you have been warned!). We need to have you tell us what’s going on and how we can best meet your farming and gardening needs.
Obviously, more on these last two topics later so this newsletter will wrap up with the holiday event poster to remind you to sign up for the really fun workshops all centered around the holiday season. The workshops are held at the back of the store and everyone gets to customize their project (and there are several different kinds of projects!) and we make the bows (if you don’t know how to – and we can teach you that as well!). There are LOTS of ribbons of all kinds – it all starts with the ribbons…
See you in a week (or so!)!
You can follow the Country Roads Tour on Facebook here or Visit the Website here to learn more!
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