Sometimes, we must sacrifice.
My lettuce had bolted and turned into a vine. My fennel was dried up. So I took out my scissors and cut them out. I left the few remaining pea vines that are dying out. You can see that Grigio still likes to nibble on them.
See, I have come to the conclusion that I have delayed for too long the job of pruning the plants. It’s so exciting, to see them grow everyday, but in order to produce a good harvest the tomatoes must be trimmed down.
There are lots of cherry tomatoes, finally turning red! But there are also a lot of vines which are not producing. And they are crowding out the peppers. So off with their heads.
The yellow tomatoes were knocked over by the cherry tomatoes, but they are still producing. Other than a few spots on the leaves that were on the ground.
The cucumber plant has decided to climb up our screened in porch. I should probably redirect it but I’m wondering where it will go. We’ve harvested three good size cukes so far.
The three peppers are getting bigger, but it looks like a spot of something is on one of them. The other pepper is just staying green but hasn’t grown.
Not sure if it’s disease or pest, but some of my tomatoes look like they’re being eaten as shown above.
This was today’s harvest. Not too bad. I have great hopes for expanding my garden next year.
CSA Update
CSA is pretty much the same. Nothing new. There were supposed to be hot peppers and okra for U pick but when I went out there they were all picked.
There have been some rumblings among the members that they are getting less in their share this year than others. We have been told about deer and flooding, so I can understand. However some wonder if the share is being usurped by the farmer’s market and restaurant sales. I’m sad that there is conflict. I can see both sides. Whenever something gets this big (I think there are 400 members now?) there is bound to be miscommunication. I hope that the owners will be transparent, and the shareholders understanding. After all, this is part of the experience too; this learning to be in community.
I know. I feel for both sides. I hope Michael and Anja receive this well. Anja has been very sick the past 1 1/2 weeks, hence no newsletter last week, and possibly none this week. I am just thankful for anything I get, but hopefully this will get resolved soon.
But…I DO think this should have been handled privately. If someone has a problem with Michael or Anja, then they need to go to them themselves. At least that is what the Word says to do. That is the honorable way to handle a grievance. Just sayin’.
I totally agree! It’s so easy for things to get emotional, for people to make assumptions, at which point it becomes difficult to understand the other points of view.
I agree with you Wendy, that this is about learning to be in community with one another. I also felt it should have been handled privately and off the group.
This is our first year with the CSA, and I know it’s been a tough growing season. It might not appear that way, but I believe it’s been tough nonetheless. With business growth, comes stress and I think the farm is going through those ebbs and flows. Of course, I am an outsider to this whole thing, really. I’m thoroughly enjoying this season so far, and I just want everyone to hug it out and give Michael and Anja the credit they deserve for working so hard 🙂
Your tomatoes sure look good! Except for the eaten one… hope you figure out what is getting them. I think birds may be tasting our tomatoes – do they do that?
Your cuke vine looks very prolific–that is great! I put mine on a trellis, and they grow up it, and it kind of helps to keep the vine where you want it, but the vine can get pretty long, as you are experiencing. Also, that is no disease with your tomato–something ate it. Slugs? Something else?
So what are you going to do with all of your tomatoes??? Have you thought about canning them. I canned tomato juice, salsa and diced tomatoes last summer and enjoyed them all winter long. I plan on doing the same this summer and am host a “Canning Week blog Party” the week of August 23-27th. Feel free to stop by and check it out or participate as we will have linky parties and give-a-ways.
a Latte with Ott, A
Yes, I do hope to do some canning this year. Thanks for letting me know about your party! Sounds like fun, I’ll definitely participate!
Cherry tomatoes are sooo good! Looks like you have a good harvest of them! Most of mine never makes it in the house (I like to snack on them right off the vine).
Tomatoes will keep producing even if they’re sprawling on the ground, so your yellow ones should just keep coming. 🙂 Thanks for sharing at the Tuesday Garden Party!