tomatoes

Oh my, the end of our tomatoes has arrived.  I thought 250 plus plants would see me through,not so.  Next year I'll put in twice as many, in staggered plantings. Growing tomatoes stands in the top 10 of my farming pleasures, so many gorgeous varieties!  What's not to love? Already I'm drooling over choices for 2011, and the seed catalogs won't arrive until November!

This has been a notable year for DRY.  Some plantings were lost simply due to DRY. Even dripline run 24/7 can not match natural timely rainfall. September and October are good months to ruminate back over the season, while my memory is still capable. I make odd little notes of data specific to each crop.  An especially annoying info screwup is when a marker label disappears from a flat of seedlings.  The flat gets planted with only a vague notion of what variety of squash, okra etc. was originally seeded.  At the end of the season a decision must be made on what crops excelled, which were dismal failures (Mammoth okra comes to mind), and which were just mediocre.  This insures, at least theoretically, that next years seed order choices will prove successful. In the case of a lost marker, this prevents such data collecting. Annoying.

A long time desire to grow out colored bell peppers has been frustrating.  These beauties are finnicky to finish. In order to reach their lucious colors, they must stay on the plant 20-40 days past the green stage.  Escaping insects, sunscald and rot during those extended days is the trick.  This year I tried Islander, a knock-out lavender type.  Despite being undersized (no water), they were indeed beauties.  Next year I am sure to try other colored varieties.

Costata Romanesca zucchini is a repeat in the field. Flavor and gorgeous looks are why I keep growing it. However it does not last long against pests and disease, so disappointing.

There were a few bright gems discovered: Kimberton Yellow Tomato, Feurio Chard, Beatrice Eggplant, Orion Fennel, Rosalind Purple Broccoli (even though it buttoned from heat and water prob), Kalura and Mikola Lettuce, Beaver Dam Hot Pepper and other worthy keepers to the cannon.

This lovely hen is a real looker and she is friendly too.  I would like to take some pics of the different feather patterns. Ahhh they just won't stay still! Good news, I saw several hens in the nest box.  Alas, no eggs yet, soon so soon.

The last 2 weeks have been wonderful.  Help has arrived and her name is Emily, an exceptional intern!  She has given the farm a real boost, meaning we just might catch up.  Here are some pics of what we have accomplished.

First day on the job she weeded grapes.

Our goslings are growing at an alarming rate, who knew?

These birds LOVE grass and weeds!

Driving the BCS, aka THE BEAST

Setting tomato stakes with a heavy post driver, builds the biceps.

Emily cleaned up these toms, which were just about buried in red root pigweed.