Harvesting the carrots this morning was like cracking concrete rather than popping up the nice sandy loam that they are actually growing in. It seemed such a short while ago that we were all complaining about the rain. Nothing could possibly grow in this much rain… with no sun… we can’t even get into the fields to cultivate and plant… How quickly things change. In April our total rainfall was over 8″ (not including one of the storms that we missed recording). The grand total of rain in July was 1.2″. Most veggies want that much per week during the growing season. I slowly move the irrigation around, but can realistically only water 8- 9 rows a day if I really keep up on it. We have something like 60 rows planted right now. You can do the math on the futility of it. After a month of this the plants are all starting to show the stress–they are small in size with wilting leaves, small fruits and often a bitter taste. We weren’t able to eak out a lettuce crop this week, since all of the heads bolted and the new stuff is growing too slowly. The pests have moved in too, seeking the weakest plants to suck the juices out of or chew up the leaves. The cooler temperatures this week have kept our spirits high, at least it’s comfortable spending hours squatting over plants picking bugs with a cool breeze floating past you.
We have a new experiment on the farm this week: pick-your-own. We have beautiful flowers, bright yellows, purples and pinks, sungold tomatoes (and perhaps some tomatillos if you’re willing to search for them) all coming on right now in the small field just behind the silo. There will be a helper up there with scissors, quart containers for sungolds and informative tips. I suggest sturdy shoes to cross the lumpy field. While you are up there check out the giant Halloween pumpkins, intertwining the crops and taking over the field.
In the veggie share this week: cucumbers, cabbage, green beans, summer onions, braising mix, carrots, beets, tomatoes, zucchini, broccoli, kale, chard, bunching onions (try these basted in oil and browned on the grill), basil, black and white beans, dill and cilantro. More lettuce is on the way.
In the meat share: pork and chickens.
See you all tonight between 4 and 6,
Sara Kurak
Full and By Farm
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