Harvesting Sweet Potatoes & Transplanting Tulsi Basil

Village Farm Team,

We harvested the first of our Beauregard sweet potatoes this past weekend! Since sweet potatoes are tubers, they are our only current crop that has to be dug up for harvesting. Once we find the above-ground sweet potato vine, we delicately dig out the vine’s central shoot from which the sweet potatoes grow. Each shoot grows multiple potatoes. Though the sweet potatoes can be eaten right away, the process of curing (allowing them to rest for 7-10 days at a temperature of 75 to 85 degrees) will kick off the sugar production and yield a sweeter sweet potato.

Our herb boxes are getting some extra love this week as we transplant tulsi basil. We’re planting three varieties: Rama, Vana, and Amrita. Each has a different appearance along with different scent and flavor profiles. The extra plants are being up-potted for sale at the veggie wagon so if you’re a fan of this incredibly flavorful herb, keep an eye out!

We’re very slowly transitioning out summer crops to make way for more fall crops. Both our melons and peppers were turned under this week to make way for crops like winter squash. As we harvest our sweet potatoes row by row, more space will be freed up as well. Though the farm might look a little bare at the moment as we make the transition, we’re excited at the prospect of fall crops and eventually some cooler weather. Plus, the zinnias planted around the farm are providing a sense of cheer as they show off their multitude of hues.