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.

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!”