August is a month of new beginnings. The greenhouse is filling up with seedlings almost ready to go into the ground. Next week we will direct sow carrots and arugula, radishes and beets. We will transplant kohlrabi and cabbage and broccoli. Throughout all of this month and next we will be planting and planting and planting for fall and winter.
We could use a new beginning right about now. The field and the farmers are tired. As soon as August hits, the tomatoes give up dramatically. It’s like they have a calendar. The first plant
ing of tomatoes was really phenomenal this year, but the subsequent two had to deal with all the rain and all the heat and it didn’t do them any favors. We are squeezing what we can out of the summer garden, but August is tough. The new planting of squash started producing last week, but it hasn’t offered up nearly as much squash as the two previous plantings. We have two lush and beautiful beds of eggplant with hardly a fruit on them. I still have faith that they will come around. The tomato room, after being packed for the last six weeks, is almost empty.
Some things are still going strong. The okra is really earning it’s keep this year. The peppers have been productive. The very first of the butternut harvest is in the shares this week, and it looks
like we will get a good crop. And there are more young tomato and squash plants that should produce in September when conditions are more favorable.
If you are getting tired of okra, it is easy to freeze and to pickle. To freeze, just cut to the desired size and bag. No need to blanch. We always freeze some for wintertime gumbos. To pickle, heat equal parts water and vinegar and one tablespoon of pickling or kosher salt for each cup of liquid. Pack the raw okra in to jars with picking spice, or dill, or red pepper flakes and pour the heated liquid to cover. Place in the fridge for at least two weeks before eating to allow the okra to absorb the brine and favor.
Small shares
- butternut squash
- yellow squash or zucchini
- sweet peppers
- green tomatoes
- masquerade potatoes
- okra
Full shares
- butternut squash
- yellow squash or zucchini
- sweet peppers
- green tomatoes
- masquerade potatoes
- okra
- cucumber
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