September is a transition month here at the garden – the slow crops (corn, winter squash and melons) are showing signs of being ready, and the earlier summer crops are closing up shop for the season. A fine bean crop is about 3/4 done, for example. The slicer tomato crop this year is smaller that usual due to holding the seedlings in small cells too long – although the cherries are giant plants and had the same upbringing.
The winter squash area was completely reconditioned for this year, and has done a stellar job of production. It is a bit of a concern because there is the potential of having way more squash than the CSA can use – hopefully the draft horses can learn to love squash. There are four dominate types showing up – the Candy Roaster, obviously is a 15-18 pound torpedo – but there are also some great acorn, Hubbard and somewhere under the giant leaves one other type. There are also some decor gourds and a small pumpkin variety called “Jill be little.”
There are a large number of potatoes doing a nice job right now – a particular personal favorite is called “Mountain Rose” – it is scab resistant, with a lovely rose colored skin and a yellow flesh, roasted with summer squash and beets and carrots is a wonderful veggie experience.
Speaking of carrots – the other major bed restoration was for root crops. The entire 4×75 bed was re-dug (Doug?) and then top watering instead of drip tape was applied. This summer has been very dry for a very long period of time, and keeping the seed bed moist for germination was a challenge – especially with drip tape which has a very narrow entry. The carrots, beets, salad turnips and radishes have flourished as a result.
The beets and carrots are just now getting good size – the intention was to have them going into the Fall. It is surprising how large the greens are on the beets – the bed might be too rich in nitrogen, but the roots are doing well.
There will be a couple of people joining the “farm call weekly box” program starting soon – maybe this week for at least one of them. There are 6 more weeks left in main season, then a four week extended season. The late crops for extended season include the winter squash and sweet potatoes, with probably corn running on into October as well.
The next big project in the garden will be planting a green manure crop over the winter to recover the bed area that lay fallow this season. The seed people send nagging emails telling all about how important it is to do that, so seed has been purchased and off we go.
Hope you all had an awesome summer; if you want on a “what’s in the box” email list so you can be informed about extra stock, drop a note. There is a photo shoot planned for Candy Roaster – there is a young lady who has had that picture done starting back in 2014 or so… Although the term “photo shoot” and “Shilofarm” don’t really go together that well!
