That’s right, today is Wednesday and I’m getting ready for the afternoon farmstand. First, here are a few garden updates to keep you informed.
Beans: still trying, and the new patch looks great, but consistently better weather would help
Beets: small patch is ready and the fall seedlings look great
Broccoli: finished. Leaves being donated to NEST Cafe Friday morning
Broccolini: little sprouts in a tray waiting to get bigger and get planted out in a bed
Carrots: finishing 2 rows Saturday and many more are coming
Cucumbers: nearly done and the seeds/seedlings melted in all the rain
Gourds: we should have loads next month!
Kale: looking better and more seeds are coming for a late fall crop
Lettuce: some plants melted, others are gangly, and a flat was seeded yesterday
Onions: dwindling, but dry and ready
Peppers: call your pepper loving friends because they all have loads of flowers and little peppers!
Pumpkins: small white ones are starting to form
Radishes: a bed was seeded yesterday and more will go in weekly for a few weeks
Squash: acorns going crazy and loaded, butternut are slower, but lots of flowers, small spaghetti are flowering and growing all over their neighbors.
Spinach: a small bed was seeded yesterday
Swiss chard: still going strong!
Tomatoes: take a deep breath… they have gone past their peak and we’re seeing splits from rain and high heat. BUT, also there are lots of small tomatoes on the slicing plants and the Romas have some that will be ready soon. Cherry tomatoes are still doing their thing, and salads are showing lots of splits (they’re prone to this), but still loaded. Heirlooms are in the middle of the pack – definitely slowing and some smaller fruits coming on Carbon, but Amana Orange still has big ones coming! One row of determinate plants have been pulled. And last, but not least, the July 4th planted tomatoes look amazing and have nice sized green tomatoes!
Zucchini and Yellow squash: only 2 plants left. What a bummer year for them! Too much high humidity and squash bug pressure for sure, and I would normally have been out there seeding a dozen more. But, there is still such a high insect load that I know better. Those bugs would love to munch on some new leaves!
Overall, it sure feels more like late September than August! No matter the overall condition of the garden, we have had amazing crops this year! Every year has challenges and difficulties, but we keep rolling. Let’s hope that the wild swings in temperatures and rainfall are in the past. If we can see more consistent weather, we should have a great fall crop of many different veggies, including tomatoes – just in smaller quantities and sizes. Speaking of those tomatoes, there are 8 pounds of cherry tomatoes today! Grab a basket and a stem of fresh basil, then add in mozzerella pearls, olive oil and balsamic vinegar and get a glass of your favorite beverage to enjoy that uniquely summertime meal.
As for today’s farmstand, I’m unsure where the set up will be (out front, on the driveway, or porch). We will be here, though!
Menu:
1 Beets $3.50 per bundle
1 Carrot $4 per bundle
Cucumbers .50 ea or 6/$2.50
Onions .50 ea
Peppers Bell .75 ea, banana .50 ea, jalapeno .25 ea
Tomatoes:
Slicers $1.25 ea
Heirloom slicers $1.50 ea
3 Salad $4 per 1# basket
2 San Marzano $2 per 1# basket
3 Roma $1.50 per 1# basket
8 Cherry $3 per 1# basket Did you read that? 8 POUNDS!
Jams $5 per jar
3 Dill relish $5 per jar
Seasoned salt $4 per jar
Chai latte mix $5 per bag
Granola $5 per bag (maple applesauce, apple walnut)
$1 flower bouquets
Fresh basil .50 per stem
It would be great to see you this afternoon at a nice, casual pace so we can visit! Daisy and I will be ready by 3:00 and open until 6:00 or sellout (hint, hint – come early and buy lots so we can go for a long walk).