It’s a perfect day to drive up to Millerton, NY, to pick up my yearly supply of organic soil for Ann’s Place. Between projects for my clients and the needs of the different gardens, I usually need about a yard of soil and compost.
I get all my soil from McEnroe Farm who’s product has never disappointed me. I was first introduced to it when I worked at Green Chimneys in Brewster.
But to be totally truthful, it is just a great excuse to hop in my pickup with Juana and drive through farmland in the Hudson Valley. The day is clear and crisp without a cloud in the sky.
Approaching the foothills, the leaves have started to turn color with those of sumac looking the most spectacular in a dark wine red. Many farm fields are fallow, though a few are filled with stalks of brown corn stalks standing erect waiting to be collected and turned into Winter fodder for cattle.
The soil yard at McEnroe farm is perched high, surrounded by hills of dappled colors and textures. It’s a quiet time at the yard as few customers are looking to purchase soil for next year. But I appreciate the beauty of the moment as steam rises off the rows of compost and the scent of rot perfumes the air.
