On the one hand it is kind of disheartening that summer is pretty well over. On the other, I look forward to cleaning the garden and planting more fall and winter crops. The challenge is that early fall crops need to be planted in late July and early August. I got kale, broccoli, some carrots, and head lettuce in, but I am still behind on salad mix. Salad mix requires a weed-free area and I am just now getting those. Also, I realize how much I need to be able to concentrate on production rather than markets earlier in the week.
The tomato harvest today was less than half what it has been. That will help me do what I should – tear at least half the tomatoes out to make space for fall crops. I hate to take out a plant that still has fruit on it, but planting in the alley ways and working around that while continuing to harvest is problematic. It is what I tend to do, but not what I should do. We will still have lots of tomatoes tomorrow because I only got part way to the Lake Placid Farmers Market Wednesday before turning around and getting the RAV into the shop for new brakes, front and rear.
I went ahead and harvested some large patty pans. Usually I feed any tlarge squash to the chickens, but a chef from Paul Smiths said, no, that is the size he uses to stuff. There are lots of recipes for “stuffed scallopini” and “stuffed patty pan squash” on the web. He said he uses various grains (rice, quinoa, etc), onion or garlic, a flavored liquid or tomatoes, cheese. When we started “farming for a living”, harvesting gourmet items such as tiny baby veggies was the rage, so I have mainly put out small to medium veggies. I see some of you taking the larger ones so will start offering them.
I’ll spare 50 explanations tomorrow. I sound awful. The antihistamines for the spider bite cleared up my sinuses nicely. I have chronic low-grade sinus drainage, the main discomfort being bad breath and body odor. I think the various factions of my sinuses had reached a detente which was upset by the antihistamines because as soon as I went off them the sinuses went wild. I have not noticed bad fall allergies before but sure have them now. The voice is bass and hoarse. The smell is Vicks VaporRub under the nose (I am ignoring what I am breathing in – the stuff works). I figure the Vicks is better than the sugar in Halls Metholyptus, my other standby. And as soon as I finish this I am going to make a nice hot lemonade.
I plan to harvest fennel tomorrow for you. I have been waiting expecting the bulbs to get bigger, but the foliage is starting to die back so I think this is it. If you want to try something simple, try fennel soup or potatoes au gratin with fennel or carrot and fennel or something else. You can use the fronds also. They flavor stock nicely. I suspect some of our members are familiar with fennel and would love any fronds you don’t want so we will have a fennel trimming station.
Forrence Orchards has been managing an orchard on Lakeshore Road organically for four years (maybe five). I will have samples of their tree-ripended, certified organic Paula Reds for you tomorrow. We will have some to sell in bulk ($30/bushel), and will take orders for next week. Actually, if you read this Thursday evening or early Friday and want to buy some, please let me know so we have enough here. I expect to offer them for the next few weeks, including the organic Macs and maybe non-organic Honey Crisps, when they come in if you want them. I will be representing them at the Saranac Lake Village Farmers Market on Saturday, and we don’t know what to charge for just selecting a few apples. If any of you have been buying good apples by the peck or pound, please let me know how they have been priced.
I have nice head lettuce coming, but think it needs another week. Then it should be pretty much a staple for the fall.
There are still a few weedy rows, but the garden is looking nice, if I do say so myself. Feel free to take a stroll tomorrow.
