What’s been going on!

Ah the Dog Days of summer how grizzly can you be?  It has actually been a few years since the hottest period of the year was during the end of July when, statistically, it has always been.  Recently the hottest stretches have been in June with days of 100 degree temperatures.  But as we know in the South, it’s the humidity that is crippling.

With all the rain in the last months it gives the atmosphere plenty of water to work with.  I noticed one day this week the dew point (the point at which air is saturated and the water starts to condense) was 77 degrees in Carrboro, quick research showed that the dew point has only reached 80 degrees eight times since records have been kept at RDU and the highest ever was 82.  So while not the Amazon, it has been plenty hot and humid the last few weeks.

Here at the farm we are actually getting quite dry, it has been two weeks since we have seen any water falling from the skies.  All of the intense storm cells have passed just north or south of us.  Last evening when I was walking across the farm there was a hot dry sirocco type wind.

Jennie has been doing a great job of managing the irrigation and keeping everything moist and growing.  Together with Trish they have worked through these hot days harvesting tomatoes, planting flowers, the first fall vegetables and other maintenance that has to be done.  These are the days that make you know you want to be a farmer!

Picture of the Week

Hot sun glaring off the tunnels

What’s going to be at the market?

Did you donate to RAFI?  Let’s talk this week.  If you have RAFI thanks you!

Big drop in the tomato harvest this week, a modest amount all around: red Big Beefs, Cherokee Purples, Kellogg’s Breakfast in yellows, yellow and red Striped Germans, Cherokee Greens, pink German Johnsons.  Good supply this week of Sungolds, Mixed Cherries and Blush too.  Plenty of Green Tomatoes for frying and pickling!

The miracle of Summer Crisp lettuce is back, lots of water to keep it happy.  Callaloo the summer cooking green to replace Kale, actually an amaranth, also known as the Jamaican spinach, great for a fast sauté.  More of the cured sweet Red Onions.  Last of the Cucumbers.

More Peppers each week with Cubanelle and Corno di Toros in sweet peppers.  Shishito and Padron appetizer peppers.  Serrano and Jalapeno peppers and some really beautiful Anaheim (New Mexican) and Poblano chiles.  More Spaghetti Squash and Eggplant too.

The flower department is into deep summer mode.  Fragrant Oriental Lilies.  Some of the nicest Tuberoses we have ever grown.  Zinnias and Sunflowers.  The Crested Celosia wave begins.  The radiant Plume Celosia is back too.  Beautiful green, ready for drying, Annabelle Hydrangeas and fresh Limelight Hydrangeas.  As always, amazing 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.  Just so you know, sometimes not everything listed will be at the Wednesday market.

Hope to see you all at the market!

Alex, Betsy and Jennie

If you know folks who you think would be interested in news of the farm then please feel free to forward this to them and encourage them to sign up at the website.