Corn. The corn this year has finally reached the point where it is officially ripe – the Shilofarm Corn Test Team (Doug) successfully enjoyed fresh sweet corn… by the way – the smart farm people on line claim that the longer after it is picked the less wonderful it tastes. The corn tested here sat over night and was still pretty awesome. But then of course it has been almost a year since fresh corn, and craving tends to mask critical evaluation.
You might notice that the kernels are multi-color – this variety is a hybrid of two types – it is great for holding on the stalk and should be excellent for at least 5 weeks unless you folks gobble it all down. That brings up a very important point: Quantity. It is shocking to realize that there are people who do not appreciate corn on the cob. The flower farmer here at Shilofarm is such a person, but we love her anyway. The basic rule on personal share would be a couple of ears. That said, there are four 75′ rows of corn planted, and while the horses would love for you to reject the corn, you can ask for more. Those recycle bags from the grocery are well suited for stuffing more ears. If you ask for 4 -6 ears that works. If you ask for several dozen we need to talk. In any case, you will get two in a personal share or four in a full share if you deign to reply with a request.
This is a red Kuri (* it looks orange to me!*) winter squash. That also raises and issue, since the earliest winter squash is getting ripe. A few went out last week, and one was tested here and found “good.” The acorn squash (Gill’s Golden Pippen) is most plentiful right now, but some of the Kuri’s are right behind them. Again, anything but the Acorn can get pretty big. So, if you really love winter squash there will be small, medium and very large options. The best advice here is if you do NOT eat it the week you get it, keep it in a rodent free place what is not going to freeze nor be hot, and it will only get better for a few months. When it does go bad, there won’t be any question and there will be a huge gooey mess in your garage (or your closet, or under your bed…).
This is Gill’s (above). It seems to be ripe when the stem turns brown… so, the one on the bottom left is due to be cooked this week, the one on the top right gets a bit more time to hang around.
The other crops that are ready are much as it has been. It is worth mentioning that oddly enough some people decide that four weeks or more of green beans is more than enough. The farm call people have that easy, because they can say no thanks pretty easily. You home delivery folks (and you are loved!) have to muster the energy to email your preferences. Or not, in which case you get farmer’s choice.
Hummm. Well, the next week at least is gonna be raining, unless the weather guesser folks are totally out to lunch. The only challenge here will be that all those wonderful flowers really do NOT like getting their petals wet. Things are good for Friday, but after that comes the deluge, more or less. Farm Call people (Saturday, Monday or Tuesday) might get wet. The plan here is to till up the fallow beds and seed them with cover crop on Saturday. In theory the soaking rain over the following 6-10 days is just the ticket.
It’s been a good summer. Oh yes… There were problems getting Melons to germinate, only one plant made it, and it has three lovely melons. Perhaps there should be an essay contest on the subject “Why I deserve a water melon.” The Flower Farmer has literary skills and should probably be a good impartial judge. The Veggie farmer is just flat going to keep one. So, sorry if you had your heart set on a water melon!
The options for this week:
| Lettuce | Muir or Nevada leaf lettuce, green. There are a couple of Red Iceberg that are getting some size, maybe, maybe not. |
| Brassicas | The assumption here is that nobody has said “no more cabbage” hence “you get more cabbage.” There are a few stray bok choi, and some small Kale leaf. Count on a cabbage, the rest is kinda farmer’s choice unless you are farm call. |
| Roots | The Beets are big on green and small on bulb, Carrots are great, Radishes (red dragon) are huge… |
| Greens | Arugula, Chard, Mustard, depending on how full the boxes are. It does need to fit – if you are known to be a fan of say Chard, there likely will be some in your box – same with Arugula. Mustard is starting to think “I’m done now, I am going to seed.” |
| Herbs | Lots and lots and lots of Basil, Chives… Oregano and Mint if you ask. There is one member who has asked and is getting Parsley… There might be a branch or two for others. |
| Misc | Potatoes, Tomatoes (slicers and cherries) with some Roma if you want them, Red grapes this week – the yield on grapes was amazing thus far. There are lots and lots of apples. The nominal couple of apples in a box might happen this week, but if you want boxes of apples those are YOU pick. Couple of folks have already done so – and claim the apples are great. The grocery apples are picked too early – tree ripe is great. Next week is Applesauce week here at the farm. Oh, and there will probably be a bulb onion in your box – a few cucumbers so farmer’s choice unless you are craving a cucumber. |
No idea what flowers will be sent out Friday – there are a LOT of really beautiful roses, but then everything is looking great of course just before heavy rain comes and ruins the bloom. That’s life as a flower.
