Here is a small glimpse of farming reality. On July 20th we got this email from ProFarm Produce in central Washington: “There is only 2 weeks left for cherries…We are looking to move a lot the next two weeks, but we will only have Organic Rainiers. Need your orders as soon as possible.” The very next day, July 21st at 9am, we got this email: “Last night we got a big…storm in the valley which caused a lot of rain. We are going through the field right now to get an estimate on how many pounds we can pick. There is a chance we might be done for the season, but I will keep you posted by days end.” Sure enough, at 5:16pm we got a third email: ”Due to a rain storm in our area last night, we will no longer have Organic Cherries for the rest of the season.”
In Your Share This Week
Lettuce – Jester & Red Summer Crisp
Chard – Fordhook Giant (white), Golden (orange) and Rhubarb (red)
Early Wonder Tall Top Beets – Some of these have greens, others do not. These were direct seeded, but still started to bolt (go to seed) en masse and really early. In 16 years of farming, I’ve never seen this happen. More proof that “there’s no ‘normal’ anymore.”
Carrots Mokum – These were sown almost 2 weeks earlier than the Nelsons we had last week, but didn’t size up any sooner, even though the catalogs said it should be. So much for getting seed in the ground as early as possible! These are considered a ‘pencil’ type with a brittle tenderness.
Summer Squash – Black Beauty, Golden, & White Bush
Provider Green Beans – These were first introduced in South Carolina in 1965. They are one of the best known, productive, early “meaty” bean out there. They also freeze well.
Scallions – Evergreen Hardy White This is an heirloom from Japan originating in the 1880s. It is also known as Nebuka. Theoretically, whatever we don’t harvest we can let overwinter and get a new crop in April. Maybe we’ll try that this year.
Parsley – Survivor (flat leaf) &/or Curly
