Fall at Honeydew Farm: Greenhouse Progress, Garden Goodbyes & One Adventurous Kitty
There's something about fall at Honeydew Farm that brings a different kind of rhythm. The growing season is winding down, flowers are being gathered and dried, garden beds are being prepared for the colder months, and work on the Deep Winter Greenhouse continues.
It's been a few weeks since our last Farm Journal, but life on the farm certainly hasn't slowed down. Between greenhouse construction, seasonal garden work, and one very adventurous little kitten, there's plenty to catch up on.
Greenhouse Progress: Building Toward Winter
Work on our Deep Winter Greenhouse continues, and Alex has been making good progress.
This project represents an important step toward extending our growing season and exploring what year-round growing can look like here in northern Minnesota.
Unlike a traditional greenhouse, a Deep Winter Greenhouse is designed to make better use of the sun's energy, capturing and storing heat to help support growing through the coldest months.
There's still work ahead, but every step brings us closer to making this vision a reality.
We're incredibly grateful to everyone who has contributed to our greenhouse fundraiser.
Your generosity and encouragement mean so much as we continue building something that we hope will benefit our farm and local community for years to come.
Wildflower's Unexpected 15-Mile Adventure
Sometimes the smallest members of the farm have the biggest adventures.
Our little farm kitten, Wildflower, recently gave everyone quite a surprise.
Somehow, she managed to hitch a ride underneath Amber's mom's car. Not inside the car. Not comfortably in the backseat. Underneath it.
And she stayed there for an entire 15-mile trip down the highway!
When Amber's mom arrived home, out came little Wildflower from beneath the car, apparently having decided that she'd traveled far enough.
Thankfully, Wildflower was discovered and driven safely back to Honeydew Farm.
We have a feeling this little kitten has already used up a few of her nine lives.
Fall at Honeydew Farm: Flowers, Family & Changing Seasons
As the growing season winds down, there's still plenty of work happening behind the scenes.
Amber's mom and Alex's mom have been helping dry an incredible number of flowers, preserving some of the season's beauty for the months ahead.
Drying flowers is one of those projects that connects one season to the next. The blooms that filled the gardens during summer can become wreaths, ornaments, and other creations long after the first frost.
It's also a reminder of how much family contributes to life on a small farm. There are always more hands needed, more projects to finish, and another season to prepare for.
Putting the Garden to Bed
While the flowers are being dried, the garden is slowly being wrapped up for the year.
Fall cleanup is an important part of preparing for next spring. Clearing finished plants, tending the soil, and getting garden beds ready for winter all help set the stage for another growing season.
But there's still one more planting job on the horizon.
Garlic!
Unlike many garden crops, garlic is planted in the fall, giving it time to establish roots before winter settles in.
It's a small act of optimism—planting something now that we won't harvest until next summer.
And that's part of what makes farming so special. Even while one growing season is ending, we're already preparing for the next.
From the Honeydew Kitchen
Roasted Garlic & Herb Potatoes
With garlic planting just around the corner, we're sharing a simple recipe that celebrates one of the most useful ingredients in the kitchen.
Golden, crispy potatoes with roasted garlic and herbs make an easy side dish for a cozy fall meal.
Ingredients
1½ pounds baby potatoes, halved or quartered
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Fresh parsley, optional
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 425°F.
Wash and cut the potatoes into evenly sized pieces.
Toss with olive oil, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper.
Spread the potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet.
Roast for 20 minutes, then add the minced garlic and toss gently.
Continue roasting for another 10–15 minutes, until the potatoes are golden and tender.
Finish with fresh parsley, if desired, and serve warm.
From our kitchen to yours: Add the garlic partway through roasting to help keep it from burning.
Honeydew Farm Tip: Planting Garlic in Minnesota
Fall is the ideal time to plant hardneck garlic in northern Minnesota.
Garlic is typically planted after the first light frosts, when the soil has cooled but before the ground freezes solid.
A few tips for getting started:
Choose healthy, large garlic cloves for planting.
Plant each clove with the pointed end facing up, about 2–3 inches deep.
Space cloves approximately 6 inches apart.
Cover the bed with several inches of clean straw or another suitable mulch after planting.
Choose a well-drained location with plenty of sunlight.
The cloves will begin establishing roots before winter, then resume growing when spring arrives.
It's one of the simplest ways to get a head start on next year's garden.
Looking Ahead
There's still plenty happening before winter arrives.
The Deep Winter Greenhouse remains an important focus, flower drying continues, and garlic planting is approaching.
As fall at Honeydew Farm moves toward the colder months, we're looking forward to sharing more progress, seasonal projects, and the little moments that make farm life memorable.
And hopefully Wildflower's next adventure will be a little closer to home.
Visit Us This Week
Thursday | 9 AM–1 PM
Saturday | 9 AM–1 PM
Near the music tent, across from Thielen Motors.
As the market season winds down, please confirm current market dates and Honeydew Farm's attendance before making a special trip.
Thank you for supporting local farms, local food, and local flowers.
We hope to see you at market.
Alex & Amber
Honeydew Farm
Want to Know More About How We Grow?
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