Sunday, July 27, 2008

Full swing

Back on the farm after week off. It was good to get away but good to be back too. The season continues with it's peaks and valleys. We are having a slight lull at the moment. Waiting for the heat loving summer crops to come on. Especially tomatoes. There just kind of setting there. We've had a few ripe ones from indoors. Some of the outdoor ones are starting to show a little color but nothing of any note at this point. We've had cool evenings all spring and summer. Many of the outdoor ones may not even produce. Just don't know at this point.

We are hoping to start harvesting potatoes soon. Summer squash production has been off. I believe it's a lack of heat but also a lack of pollinators. Green beans may be on in a couple of weeks? We missed a planting on our greens and ran out. Hoping to be back in full production in a week or so. This is the first gap we have had since February. It always seems to happen this time of year. It's a combination of many things. Regardless, it hurts. Greens are our main crop and it's money lost when we gap out. Strawberries are off now for awhile too and peas have just finished. So it's a waiting game of sorts. A high level of patience required here.

One thing we are not short on and that is fava beans. We have alot of fava beans!

Also alot of weeds! uggh.

At least allergy season is coming to an end and I'll be able to weed whack and mow again.

Prepping ground as fast as it becomes available from terminated beds. We are planting out for fall and winter now. All sites are set on an extended season. It seems to be the trend here weather wise. Hoping for a nice long Indian summer.

Time to make firewood too. The party never stops!

Keep well,

John

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Gone Daddy Gone

I'm outta here for a few days of smoke inhalation in southern Cal. Never had a real vacation in the summer before. Weird but way cool. One last day to take care of a long list of projects. Business has picked up to what seems normal. Good day at the market yesterday. We sold out of everything. Wish we would have had more to take. Oh well. Tomatoes are ripening. We took some to market. Most people were astonished we had them and they tasted great. I don't eat store bought tomatoes so having home grown is fabulous.

Anyway, Keep well all and don't forget to eat your greens.

Farmer John

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

transistions

Good day here. Lots of Tillage, mowing, bed prep and transplanting. I'm thinking more of fall than summer but summer crops are soon to be. We put in melons and more squash today. The first ripe tomato appeared in the greenhouse today. Squash is threatning, corns bout knee high. It's all lookin good. Have some of our fall crops in. Cabbage, sprouting broccoli, kale etc. Still have about 400 lbs of potato seed that I would like to get in the ground. Need to do field work first.


Bad allergies last couple of days but basically escaped hell this year. Farm looks good. Nice little thunderstorm this evening. Growing up in the southwest, it's one thing I really miss.

Thanks to Dave for taking the pics!

Happy fourth

John Boy