Freighter View Farms

This fall morning is crisp at Freighter View Farms, with the temperature in the mid-forties. The sun is shining brightly, and the air is still, creating the perfect atmosphere for an early harvest. There’s a certain magic to being out in the garden with a pair of scissors in hand, harvesting fresh lettuce. As I work, I can hear the gentle hum of a freighter making its way up the river channel, adding a touch of the bay’s rhythm to the morning. The air carries a hint of the upcoming winter, yet here we are, surrounded by lush, green leaves that contrast beautifully against the warm colors of autumn leaves scattered throughout the garden. The cut-and-come-again lettuce method gives us the best of both worlds: an abundant harvest now, and the promise of more to come.

The process begins by selecting the healthiest heads, a vibrant green that hints at crispness and flavor. With a gentle snip, the lettuce is cut about an inch above the soil, leaving enough behind for new growth to sprout. It’s a delicate balance, giving us the greens we need today, while ensuring that more will grow for tomorrow.

Once harvested, the journey from garden to table begins. The freshly cut lettuce is gathered in bunches and brought into the kitchen. The leaves get a generous soak in cool water, allowing any bits of soil to settle to the bottom. Watching the greens float gently in the sink is like watching autumn clouds drift through the sky — there’s something calming about the process, the kind of simple moment that makes gardening truly special.

Next, it’s time to dry the lettuce. And for this task, we rely on one of my favorite kitchen tools — the salad spinner. This trusty tool does more than just spin; it makes the whole process an experience. The lettuce is placed inside, and with a few firm spins, water droplets fly away, leaving crisp, refreshed leaves ready for storage. With each spin, there’s the clean snap of each leaf as it’s spun dry, the vibrant green coming alive against the white of the spinner.

Once dried, the lettuce is carefully transferred into a plastic bag, ready for the refrigerator. It’s all about preserving that crispness, capturing that just-picked freshness so that when we’re ready for a salad, it’s as though the lettuce was harvested moments before.

This simple process, from cutting, washing, spinning, to storing might seem like a lot, but it’s these moments that add value to the harvest. It’s a ritual that connects us to the garden, a reminder of the time and care put into each step. And when that first forkful of salad reaches the table, fresh and delicious, it’s worth every bit of effort.

Cut-and-come-again lettuce is a true gift from the garden. It’s about giving, taking only what’s needed, and nurturing the rest to flourish again. From garden to table, it’s a cycle of abundance  and every time we return to harvest more, it feels like nature is giving us a little gift, reminding us of the beauty in patience and care.