Week 16 July 23-28

Harvest

Okra, Tomatoes (though not too many), Cherry Tomatoes, Onions, Leeks, Cucumbers, Melons (Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Honeydew, Arava, and Casaba) Eggplant, Peppers (Bell, Anaheim, Jalapeno, Poblano, Shishito), Potatoes, and Squash.

Leeks

Okra

Sugar Baby Watermelons

Asian Cukes

Potato Harvest

This is our potato digger. It is pulled behind the tractor. It digs up the soil and bounces it along the conveyor belt. The soil should fall through while the potatoes (and other big things) fall off the back, leaving them laying on top of the soil.

Then we follow along behind picking the potatoes up off the ground. We did this on Friday in the rain but at least we had 3 volunteers helping. 

The rain was cool and the soil was warm. You can see the steam coming off the ground.

Stuck in the mud

Good thing we had a tractor.

Thanks to all the rain we managed to get the van stuck in the mud. Daniel pushed it out with the tractor.

Production and Distribution

Market duty fell to me this week. Well, me and our Amazing volunteer Elizabeth. She was born for wheeling and dealing delicious real food. Her enthusiasm was contagious and she got the customers excited about our produce. After Market Cory did restaurant runs while Elizabeth and I headed back to the farm with the gear.

Peachtree Road Farmer's Market

What you see here are Cory's market attention grabbers. On the table is a propane roaster that we use to roast peppers. In front, the bike is attached to a pea sheller. The kids love to pedal and that drives the sheller leaving the peas conveniently in a bucket and the hulls on the ground. These little gimmicks are fun for Cory and do bring the Burge tent a lot of attention.

Basil and Eggplant

Peppers, pre-roasting

Maintenance

A big storm Saturday gave a rough start to the week. Lighting took out the well pumps in Pasture Field which we need to water the big greenhouse. So, Daniel moved all the seedlings to the small greenhouse. The water was flowing again by late Monday morning. Lighting also struck the electric fence in Gus' Field  and took out the charger. We tried replacing the fuse but the whole box was burnt out so we had to put in a new one. 

HH1 being solarized

Here is Hoop House 1 in the process of being solarized. We removed all plants, laid irrigation and soaked the soil. Next we covered it in plastic and closed up the sides and ends of the hoop house. This will allow the sun to heat the soil to extremes killing off weed seeds, eggs and bacteria. We will leave it to cook for 3-4 weeks and then will have pristine soil for fall. 

Jeff Cook ready to plant

Remember how I was saying that Jeff Cook field was an overgrown mess? Well, it was. This week Daniel mowed everything down and then disced the fields. Now it looks like acres of potential fall yields. 

Jeff Cook Field

Praying Mantis Eggs

We found this egg sac in the orchard. It's Praying Mantis eggs. These are a very beneficial bug so we were happy to find it.

The Praying mantis have a very large appetite and will consume aphids, caterpillars, flies, mosquitoes, spiders and other soft-bodied insects and when fully grown will eat the larger grasshoppers, moths, crickets and beetles. They have even been known to seize hummingbirds.

Planting

We finally got around to starting seeds for the fall. We planted Broccoli, Broccoli Rabe, Kale, Collards, Chard, Lettuce, and Endive.

Burge Kale- saved seeds

Starting seeds in the shade (Hey, it's hot out here)

3 days later-Kale is coming up

That's a lot of trays, and we're not done yet.

Farm Life

Our water was out Monday morning because a big storm on Saturday took out a pump house for our wells. Somehow the repairs on Monday left us with no water for a few hours. 

Thanks Lindsey!

I got a special delivery at market a few weeks ago that I just found out about. Lindsey from the Alliance Theatre made Blackberry Jam from our berries and shared this jar with me. I found it Monday in our cooler and it's already gone.

Not exactly local

Cory treated us to young coconuts this week. They are perfectly refreshing on a hot GA day.

Friday Fiesta was at "Where There's Smoke", a BBQ joint in beautiful downtown Mansfield (don't blink, you'll miss it!).

Friday Fiesta

Where There's Smoke Open Mic Stage. Hm.

Potatoes weren't the only thing we found digging in the Newborn field on Friday. Check out this arrow head. 

Somebody wanted to add some sunshine to my birthday. Thanks Kathy!

Visitors
My friend Brooke came over Thursday night for dinner and stayed over to help out Friday morning. Fridays are a big harvest day as we get everything out of the fields and packed up for market Saturday morning. Brooke was a great help and now knows more than she ever wanted to about Okra and tomatoes. Thanks Brooke!

Melon Break with Brooke, farmer for a day.

Robin, Beckett and Finn at Market

There were also friendly faces at market this week. Robin was missing her CSA box already so she came down with the boys to get some eggplant and tomatoes and an Arava Melon. Beckett is hiding behind his mom. :)

I also got to catch up with Victor and LaRue who are dedicated locavores of Alliance Theatre production fame. I love it when world collide.

Puddy Time!