Culture // 6 min Read

Fall Harvest at the Palmetto Bluff Farm

Written by Palmetto Bluff

With the holiday season in full swing, most of us are thinking about decking the halls, rocking around the Christmas tree, and roasting chestnuts roasting—all while visions of sugar-plums dance in our heads. After all, according to the classic Andy Williams tune, this is the “hap-happiest season of all.”

And it really is the most wonderful time of the year. But, not for quite the same reasons for Shane Rahn, Farm Manager at Palmetto Bluff.

While technically it’s still fall (hello, pumpkin spice everything), the traditional purpose of this season has long been forgotten alongside the more trendy symbols: the fall harvest! Just like Thanksgiving is meant to be a culmination of the fruitfulness of the growing season, the fall harvest season at the Palmetto Bluff Farm is the perfect time to celebrate the year’s efforts and prepare for the winter season ahead.

The Fall season runs from September (when plants are planted) to February (when the plants are torn out in prep for spring planting (March)). The plants start being harvested now and end in February. So “technically” there is no Winter season. The Fall season goes into the winter.

Since most of our crops are planted in the spring and grow all throughout the summer months, the autumn harvest season—spanning from mid-November to mid-February—is when the crops are finally ready to be harvested.

Our fall harvest includes:

  • Broccoli (harvest has started)

  • Cabbage (2-3 weeks)

  • Georgia Collards (currently harvesting)

  • Top Bunch Collards (still growing, take the whole plant)

  • Brussel Sprouts (still growing, will take the whole plant)

  • Kale (currently harvesting)

  • Spinach (currently cutting leaves/harvesting)

  • Turnip Greens (currently cutting leaves/harvesting)

  • Mustard Greens (currently cutting leaves/harvesting)

  • Sorrel (currently cutting leaves/harvesting)

  • Lettuce (currently cutting leaves/harvesting)

  • Red Cabbage (harvest after Christmas)

And if fall’s bounty isn’t enough to be thankful for, we have some pretty egg-citing things on the horizon for 2023. (Hint: We’re growing again. This time, by leaps and bounds.)

As a working farm, our goal to intertwine plant and animal life as a natural centerpiece of the property is intentional. Beginning in 2023, you’ll see the “new garden” spring to life again with some new additions: nearly two acres have been already been planned out with two sections converted to a small pasture for chickens (and a chicken coop complete with eggs for member restaurants), and an orchard with orange, lemon, lime, pear, peach, and pecan trees. There are also plans for Muscadine and Scuppernong grape vines. (It was only a matter of wine time…)

Looking ahead to 2024, the pasture will have some new residents: joining the chickens as part of our evolving holistic farming approach, the Palmetto Bluff Farm will introduce goats to the operation. (Goat yoga, anyone?)

As the end of 2022 draws near and we look forward to the start of 2023 (and beyond), we thought we’d share some photos of the exciting things happening at our farm. From a recent broccoli harvest to sugarcane stripping to plans for goats, chickens, and grapes (oh my!), here’s a glimpse of some behind-the-scenes footage of farm life at the Bluff.

Tis the season! The new Farm logo and sign gets a jolly facelift for the holidays.
The Palmetto Bluff Farm hosts an annual sugarcane event.
Sugarcane gets loaded into the press mill to create juice that will be later used to cook down into cane syrup.
Detroit Red Beets that are currently being harvested.
Brussel sprouts planted in September.
After months of growing, some of the broccoli was ready to be harvested last week.
Cauliflower planted in September growing at the Farm.
Carrots planted in August are ready for harvest.
Cabbage planted in September growing at the Farm.
Laying plastic and drip tape ahead of this year’s fall season, August 2022.
The new Farm shop completed in summer of 2022. This houses the Farm office and a full working shop.
Plans are underway to finish developing the New Garden which will include a chicken coop (2023), orchard (2023), and goat pen (2024).
Early morning bird’s eye view of the Farm, July 2022.

As a resident at Palmetto Bluff, you can fully embrace outdoor living and the farm-to-table lifestyle our community offers with fresh-grown produce, hands-on experiences, farm-hosted meals with neighbors…and (coming soon!) the joys of interacting with our animals.

We can’t wait to watch the vision of our farm to continue to unfold. We invite you to stop by the Palmetto Bluff Farm…you’ll get to meet the team members that are bringing the Palmetto Bluff Farm to life.

Remember, “if the gates are open, come on in!”

Architecture & Design
Moreland Village: Laid Back Luxury

Palmetto Bluff’s Moreland Village feels a world away from the more traditional architecture of the iconi...

Jun 2025

Culture
2025 Inspiring the Arts Scholarship Recipients

We are thrilled to introduce the inaugural winners of the Inspiring the Arts Scholarship—three extraordinary young women pursuing their artistic dreams through higher education! Katherine Donahue has been named our first official scholarship recipient, wit...

Jun 2025

Culture
Summer Style in the Bluff: Discover What’s New in Retail

From handmade jewelry to performance wear, the latest arrivals at Palmetto Bluff’s retail spots capture the season in true Lowcountry style. This summer, the Bluff’s shops are full of fresh finds, carefully chosen by our trusted retailers—including FLOW Galler...

Jun 2025

Conservation
Citizen Science

Citizen Science is Thriving at Palmetto BluffDid you know that residents of Palmetto Bluff are playing a vital role in national and global conservation efforts—all from their backyard?Through the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy’s growing Citizen Science programs, c...

Jun 2025

Artist in Residence
Music Mosaic

In October 2024, Grammy Award-winning musician Clay Ross visited Palmetto Bluff as part of The Arts Initiative's Artist in Residence Program. Through storytelling and song, he explores identity, heritage, and the universal language of sound. By Barry Kaufman ...

Jun 2025

Food & Wine
Peach Perfect

Palmetto Bluff Club Executive Chef  Beth Cosgrove and Director of Culinary, Chef Rhy Waddington, Cook Up Four Peachy Recipes for a Summer in the South. Is there anything more iconic than a southern peach? A symbol of summer and Southern heritage, the peach car...

Jun 2025

Culture
Finding Fish

Following the tides and angling for redfish in Lowcountry creeks and estuaries with Captains Brian Vaughn and Will Stephens Story by Sandy Lang It is a sunny morning in October and the water is calm and glassy. The silence is punctuated by a gush of breath f...

Jun 2025
home upkeep checklist

Real Estate
Get Ahead of Spring Cleaning: How to Upkeep Your Luxury Lowcountry Home

7 Ways To Upkeep Your Palmetto Bluff Home As spring arrives in the Lowcountry, the change in season brings more than blooming marshlands and sun-drenched afternoons; it’s also a perfect time to refresh and care for your Palmetto Bluff home. Coastal living mea...

May 2025

Discover the Next Great Chapter in Golf Course Design, Only at Palmetto Bluff

When the land speaks, you listen. And at Palmetto Bluff, it spoke to two of golf’s most legendary course designers—Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. We invite you to watch our newest video, shot this past winter and featuring Bill and Ben, along with South Street P...

May 2025
home renovations 2025

Architecture & Design
Renovations That Will Increase Your Home’s Value in 2025

5 Renovations to Increase the Value of Your Lowcountry Home Whether Palmetto Bluff is your full-time residence or a cherished retreat, deciding to sell is never a quick or casual choice. However, when the time does come, you want your home to be as market-rea...

May 2025

CURIOUS ABOUT LIFE AT THE BLUFF?

Sign up for our newsletter

LIVE
Community Villages
Experience
Palmetto Bluff Club
On The Water
The Arts Initiative
Events
Conserve
About Us