1st week of July 2010

Chicken Shed Roof The forecast predicts a whole week of 90 degree weather. That means early morning and evening are the only comfortable times to be out working. The rest of the time calls for a shady spot or being parked in front of a fan. The kids are excited to have a good excuse to use the sprinkler too. Recently, our toddler tried to cool me down in a less appropriate way using our garden sprayer which happened to be filled with fish emulsion. This smelly accident occured while a customer (who thankfully was very gracious and quite humored) was picking up her weekly veggies. Our first chicken butchering is scheduled for Wednesday this week and our goal is to get started early and finish the job before we melt. Fortunately we only have a batch of forty chickens this time. Here the boys are working on putting up a lean-to for our butchering area which will be a big improvement over using a tarp for shade. This week's heat should also give the tomatoes a good jump unlike last year when a cool July slowed ripening considerably. It also means that I need to keep a good supply of iced tea for all the sweaty workers around here. Garlic DryingIn the morning I often boil up some water and add peppermint or lemon verbena along with stevia leaves and some nettles for good measure. My husband claims that good, cold tea is more refreshing than plain water. The warm week will end on a pleasant note for me as I will spend Friday and Saturday in air conditioning doing demonstrations during Lehmans Summer Celebration from 10-3.

I checked the garlic crop and some of the softneck stalks are nearly all brown and ready to pull. Most years I wait too long and can barely find the stems anymore since the softnecks shrivel to almost nothing so I'm trying to stay ahead this year. This week I pulled the Xian, Lorz and Rose du Var. They are drying in the sun for a couple days before being bundled to continue curing in an airy shed. These varieties can all be used for braiding. The peas are almost all finished and will need to be pulled also. I always plant a crop of fall carrots and beets where the spring peas were and will be watching for a weather forecast of some nice rains before planting.

Winter Salad It's strange to think about snow in July but it's time for me to start planning for my fall and winter coldframe crops so I can harvest greens like this in December. I need to set aside space for these plantings and we're looking at options for constructing some low tunnels for crop protection. I am planting flats of leeks, scallions and parsley for fall and making a list of other seeds to start in the upcoming weeks. It is definitely a challenge to keep seedlings watered this time of year and I try to put them in as much shade as they will tolerate without getting spindly. I have several Cold Frame Seminars planned for August, both at our farm and other locations. Check the Events page for the different options. Start planning now so you can extend your garden harvest into the winter months.