The 2025 gardening year is coming to an end with the longest growing season anyone has seen. As of this writing, it’s Oct. 13 and the first frost has not yet happened for many growers and orchardists.
This extended growing season has been a boon for many growers as they have been able to harvest much of their produce, which is a plus and helps offset the rough growing year they have endured.
The season began with a small runoff and lower acequia flows than normal. Temperatures started out normal and optimistic growers planted and irrigated with hopes for a wet summer. Alas, water dwindled in late June as the meager runoff ended, compounded by soaring temperatures. July monsoon rain never manifested as temperatures soared to triple digits. Everyone complained without let-up but the dry, hot conditions continued into August.
The effect on the produce was two-fold: many produce items were late in being pollinated and when pollination did happen, the actual produce did not grow to normal size and remained relatively small compared to the norm. Growers irrigated normally but the abnormally hot temperatures coupled with the dry winter was just too much for produce.
Despite the mid-summer conditions, the monsoon rain arrived in late August and September to bolster plant growth and replenish creek flows and thus, acequia flow. Produce matured, although at a later date, and consumers were happy to enjoy fresh vegetables.
Through all the problems arising — smaller produce, less production/smaller harvests, unseasonably hot temperature and low acequia water flow, there emerged a silver lining.
The landrace chile was extraordinarily flavorful. El Vecino is not sure what caused the intense flavor increase, but that, coupled with lesser amounts of irrigation water available increased the pinante (spicy) character of the chile. Those two conditions created a winning hand for lovers of the landrace chile.
Damos gracias a Dios por que nos da y nos da suviciente para tener y comer (We give thanks to God for what he gives us to have and to eat).
October To Dos
1. Administer one final irrigation to produce and orchard.
2. Add chile stems and seeds to compost because worms love them.
3. Prepare to levantar el jardin y ponerlo a descansar (pick up all produce and prepare the soil to rest).
4. Prepare a pico de gallo dish and enjoy the tomato, onion, jalapeño, and cilantro flavors.
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