The last few weeks at the farm have brought some really hot days and some unseasonable cool ones as well. We keep bouncing between heat waves and polar vortices. There has been a good amount of rain at even enough intervals that I haven't had to do a lot of irrigating, which has been really nice for me and for our well, I'm sure.
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| 7:03 AM, JULY... strange |
In other news, both Puddy and I have been diagnosed with tick diseases this summer. Puddy had Erlichiosis and I had Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. We were both diagnosed with blood tests before showing any serious symptoms, which is luck because both are easily treated with Doxycycline if caught early. A full recover is expected for the two of us but it is frustrating to have to be on antibiotics again after having to take them last year for Lyme Disease. I am still feeling pretty run down but its hard to tell at this time of year if that is because I was sick or because it's July.
We also got some nice press along with The Pig in DC Eater.
See the article here.
Harvest
You may remember that two of our hives did not make it through the winter. However, in the process of turning them over our beekeeper harvested 12 pints of honey. The honey is really nice, sweet and complex. Each of the restaurants got some and I am looking forward to seeing what they do with it.
In the harvest bins the last few weeks: Kale, Radicchio, Rainbow Chard, the last of the spring Mustard Greens, Rainbow Carrots, Yaya Carrots, Dragon Carrots, Zephyr Squash, Patty Pan Squash, Troboncino Squash, the last of the first round of Zucchini, Mexican Sour Gherkins, Marketmore Cucumbers, Baby Bear Pumpkin, Baby Beets, the last of the spring Snow Peas, Green Beans, Heirloom Pole Beans, Herbs, Cherry Tomatoes, Heirloom Tomatoes, Zinnia, Sunflowers, Nasturtium...
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| Radicchio |
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| Trailer full of greens |
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| Mexican Sour Gherkins |
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| Zinnia and Sunflowers |
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| First Heirloom Tomato Harvest |
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| Baby Rainbow Carrots |
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| 2.2# Striped German Tomato from the Hoop House |
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| Summer Squashes |
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| Baby Bear Pumpkin |
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| Pumpkin, Watermelon (so close to ripe), Cantaloup (not ready yet) |
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| Striped German |
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| Black Krim |
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| Italian Heirloom |
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| Chris, Farm Hero, helping weed and harvest on a HOT day |
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| First big tomato harvest |
Production and Cultivation
This time of year is a challenge for sure. The weeds (the GRASS!) are growing like crazy and hard to keep up with while simultaneously harvesting a summer bounty, delivering it and planting for the fall. Some areas of the farm have gotten out of control which is hard to see and also hard to avoid. It is a test of my time management and prioritization skills which always feel lacking when there are more things to do than time to do them.
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| A Sample CSA Share |
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| The long wait for the tomatoes is finally over! |
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| Tiny baby Mexican Sour Gherkin |
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| Mexican Sour Gherkins growing on old deer fencing |
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| Fall planting, direct seeded Kale, Mustard, Radishes, Arugula and Choi |
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| Heirloom Pole Beans reaching for the sky |
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| Sugar Cherry Tomatoes |
A few shots of the Heirloom Tomatoes in the Hoop House using the leaning and lowering technique...
Eating Well
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L:Pickled, R: Fresh, Mexican Sour Gherkins at The Pig
Like little pouches of happiness, you must try these |
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| Striped German Tomato, lunch |
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Tasting Menu at The Pig featuring our
Zucchini and Carrots |
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Logan Tavern- Grilled Pork Loin
on our Mustard Greens |
Puddy Time
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| Maddie at the farm |
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| Puddy helps out on planting day |
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| Frozen treat from Rita's after a long day |
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| Doing time |
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| Ever vigilant, Puddy watching the fence line. |
