It is amazing how much everything changes around here in just a short period of time. Peas, June berries, scallions, turnips, Pak Choi and most of the lettuces are now gone. Kale, collards and beets are winding down (chard is still going strong, btw). We are now in the midst of picking around 100 lbs of squash and zucchini per day. Cukes are gearing up (Holly picked 60 lbs yesterday, the pickling AND slicing variety). Tomatoes are ripening on the vine (they say that even though the first tomatoes were seeded in the beginning of March, we won’t see a harvest until mid July.) James is plowing a new field every day it seems. The second succession planting of squash and third tomatoes were put in the ground this week.
Planting in succession ensures a longer season for harvest. Also, if one planting fails, not all is lost. The first tomatoes (around 400 plants) were planted a little early to get an earlier crop than usual. The second and largest batch of tomatoes (around 700 plants) was planted 10 days later and will be ready during the height of tomato season (August). Two weeks later the third tomatoes were planted (this week). And in a couple of weeks, the fourth and last (fall) tomatoes will be planted.
A few other things are growing right now (a lot of weeding is going on in the meantime). Peppers (1900 plants), okra (300 plants), eggplant (150 plants), basil (I can’t even tell you how much basil we have,,, it seems like there is some basil in every garden planted) several beautiful flower gardens as well as an incredible herb garden. Everything is growing beautifully and we will be picking these items very soon. James and Holly tell me that we are enjoying a lull in production at the moment….until tomatoes come in. Yikes! I hope I can keep up!
I do have a different kind of blog a brewing in my head… more on my thoughts on organic gardening in general. And what I want to do next year, in my own back yard, and the reasons why. Stay tuned. I’d better take advantage of this so called “lull” before the tomatoes start coming in!
