The Resurgence of the House Plants: Fall Week #3 – Wed. Nov. 12th

Before we dive into this week’s news, a HUGE thank you to everyone who donated to our mobile pantry fundraiser last week. We raised a whopping $11,200! Dude. Bro. Girl. WOW! Our memberships’ generosity astounds. This amount came JUST from our fall members. WHAT???!!!  Amazing! Thank you. 

Okay, now for the regularly scheduled newsletter. 
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When I first met Michael over twenty years ago, I remember how funny I found it that he proclaimed he couldn’t keep a houseplant alive. The demands of farming were so heavy that coming inside and having to keep more plants alive (that were just for decoration and not income!) was just too much for him.  At the time, I was laboring at other area farms. I wasn’t yet wearing the yoke of my own farm. And so, I had an apartment full of plants. 

I teased him relentlessly. 

Fastforward a few years later. Michael and I are now teamed up and starting our own farm. Virtually all of my house plants are dead.  Part karma, part straight up reality. Keeping plants alive in my yard for show? Yeah right. Not enough energy, not enough time. Houseplants to provide greenery in my home? Nah. Just not enough time. 

Now fast forward a couple of decades. We’ve got skills under our belts. Our farm boasts a stellar work crew to help us run a MUCH bigger farm. Our kids are older and far less demanding in their needs of my time and attention. 

Pair this new reality with a monster plant that started it all (just a one-leafed cutting I was given a few years back that is now taking over my entire laundry area), and my house is now full of plants again. 

Garage sales, guerrilla cuttings, friends’ gifts, farmer’s market scores, and the occasional Trader Joe’s guilty pleasure purchase (dude – their houseplants are surprisingly good!) are the source of the dense greenery now in my home. 

Sunday is watering day. Plants only live downstairs. I repot the ones needing the most attention in spring when I’m not toasted by field work yet. 

This morning I drank a cup of coffee and admired the multitudes of green shades and textures now inside my living room, backlight by the white November dusting of snow on the grass and asphalt outside the window.  These tropical beauties grow in wildly different ways and bring nature’s chaotic non-linear shapes into my everyday, providing me great pleasure. 

Is this a sign of middle age? Is this a sign of farming maturity? I don’t know exactly, but I’m calling it a win. Somehow I managed to keep these creatures alive through yet another summer so I can adore them and dote on them in winter.  House plants have a place in this farmer’s home once again. 

The monster plant has new leaf about to unfurl…. 

Sincerely, 
Farmer Cassie