What’s been going on!

Newsletter a day late, had an unexpected visitor yesterday morning that ended up taking up the whole morning.  Here is where I was when I was interrupted:

Wow!  A look at the forecast brings a great shake of the head in disbelief that such hideous weather could possibly follow a day as succulent as yesterday and a morning as bright and clear as this one.  Possibly five days of 100 plus degree temperatures with higher humidity, really??  This is certainly a stretch of temperatures to brace oneself for, plan the days carefully and for early exits from the field.  We must also irrigate early in the mornings to get the most from the tiny amounts of water that the drip irrigation lines deliver to the base of the plants while getting the field chores done.

The turkeys are now two weeks old and growing fast.  The extra eight or nine “runts” that came with the order are now clearly looking like a different bird.  In years past, with other hatcheries, we have had roosters chicks added in to make sure that there were enough birds in the box to keep them from being jostled around too much during their trip with the USPS.  I called our hatchery and asked if they had done such a thing and they said they never did that but if a mistake had happened they might be guinea hens or pheasants.  After a quick Google search for two week old guinea hens and I am suspicious that is what we have.  If so, it is not so bad in that Liz, who works for us, wants some guineas for her farm to eat the ticks.  We’ll know better what they are in another week or two.

An important note for the coming July 4^th week.  Because the 4^th is on Wednesday the market will be held on Tuesday instead.  That will allow you to get all of your holiday meal and picnic needs in advance and just in time.  Until then, stay cool!

Picture of the Week

A brilliant, cool and low humidity afternoon

What’s going to be at the market?

Yep, it will be way hot on both Saturday and next Tuesday but come on out anyway, too much good stuff not too.

OK it is big time tomatoes! Just about everything is in full swing with good supply except the Romas and Italian Oxhearts.   In reds we have the good flavored but sweeter Ultrasweets and the full flavored Big Beefs.  The flood of Cherokee Purples is here and it’s cousin the Cherokee Green and a few Cherokee Chocolates.  Great supply of pink, low acid German Johnson and the fruity bi-color Striped Germans.  In orange/yellows there are Orange Blossoms and the beautiful Kellogg’s Breakfast and the clear yellow and more acid Azoychkas.  In cherry types we have a better supply of Sungolds and the mixed Sungold cousins Sun Lemon (orange), Sun Peach (pink) and Sun Chocula (I did not make these names up) and the first of the bi-colored elongated Blush.

The first planting of sweet Cucumbers is winding down.  A bit of crispy and sweet Summer Crisp in Red and Green.  Sweet Red Onions and Basil to go with tomatoes!  Flat Leaf Italian Parsley.  Probably the last of the aromatic, green fleshed Galia Melons.

Betsy and the flower department are still producing an amazing amount of beautiful stems.  The first of the Lisianthus, queen of cut flowers, mostly in purple with some pink and white.  Lots of fragrant Oriental lilies in yellow, pink and white.  Bunches of non-fragrant Asiatic Lilies.  The Zinnia flood rolls on, a true sign of summer. Sunflowers and a lot of Gloriosa Daisy (Black Eyed Susan).  Beautiful Bouquets!

As a reminder if there is anything that you would like for us to hold for you at market just let us know by e-mail, by the evening before, and we will be glad to put it aside for you.

Hope to see you all at the market!

Alex and Betsy

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