3rd week of August 2008
We are experiencing a dry August spell but with comfortable temps that even dip to the 50s at night. Not stellar weather for tomato ripening or getting fall salad crops off to a good start without plenty of watering. So the spinach that got planted this week and the lettuce seedlings going in need their nightly drink to get off to a good start. I'm also starting bok choy, a greens mix (arugula, mizuna, kale and more), calendula, salad burnet, Winter Density lettuce and other greens to go into the cold frames. Right now we are in the process of weeding the cold frame areas, putting down compost and getting everything ready for planting. All of a sudden other areas of the garden that I thought we kept pretty well weeded throughout the summer have a few weed that escaped being pulled and are quite tall and ready to go to seed. On of those beds is the onion bed and we are now pulling some beautiful Tropea Lungas (Italian red torpedos) and Rossa de Milanos. The Rossas I plan to braid for the winter since they are such a good keeper. Both of these were started from seed and were planted as tiny little plants not much bigger than threads.
As farmers, our "vacation" time is not spent lounging at the beach and travel is only workable during the winter months. During the summer we do try to take a few day trips (leaving after morning chores and returning before evening chores) to relax. Last Saturday was one of those much needed excursions that we took to the farm of some friends who live near Canton. We were able to visit as they finished their chores and take tours of their gardens and farm crops on the Gator. For lunch the kids were sent off to dig potatoes and carrots plus they gathered cucumbers, sweet corn and herbs. Our table was literally set up in a corner of the cow pasture under the comfortable shade of a huge wild cherry tree. The grill was loaded with a couple of their pastured turkeys plus the potatoes and sweet corn. We did have a few cows wander by and one curious one snatched an ear of sweet corn to munch before it could reach the grill. Fresh tomatoes were sliced and drizzled with olive oil and basil and there was a loaf of bread from their fresh ground hard red wheat with homemade butter. The baked potatoes were slathered with sour cream and we could cut up chives or other herbs on top. We brought along lemon verbena and tarragon tea, both sweetened with stevia and an apple/pear/blackberry cobbler to top off the meal. It was an incredible summer meal - marvelous food mixed with great fellowship. The photo shows the after effects for our youngest, a good nap with the remains of roasted sweet corn at his side.
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