Blog

We started off this week with a bit of rain which the plants have been so thankful for, especially since it’s toasty now. Though it was a slow start for the week, we got things done, onward and forward. The last of the radishes and hakurei turnips were pulled. Farmer Tom plants oat cover crop in with brassica plantings and those oats were sowed in with the fall brassicas we transplanted last week.

On Tuesday, when the rain really set in, we spent most of the day cleaning off garlic. No wonder garlic costs so much! We passed the time by piping in music and playing various word games. The one we might play next time is Bad Rap, which is a rhyming game following this format: You can’t have A without B and you can’t have C without D. B and D rhyme and D serves as the A for the next person, e.g., You can’t have a stain without a spill and you can’t have petroleum without a drill (continued from the title).

For the rest of the week, people flocked to Hope’s Edge. On Friday we had a total of 15 people working! We got so much done and what a pleasant surprise! On Wednesday Hope’s Edge Farm hosted the MOFGA Apprentices potluck. Tom gave a li’l talk about biodynamics and the group sprayed some biodynamic barrel compost on the fields. At this potluck Farmer Tom said the quote for the week: “I’m the only agronomist working in my field. Literally…”

–Alexandra

Yet another week of growing has past. Of course, lots of weeding is involved as we farmers get to choose which plants to encourage. As we approach high season, the fruits of our labor are evident. My hands and clothes constantly emit a slight smell of garlic sap. Tomatoes, eggplant, cucumbers and squash are plumping right up. The winter squash and gourds are starting to develop as their branches take over every available space. The corn plants are reaching their little tassels to the sun.

Harvesting takes up a large portion of our time, but we’ve still been able to get the fall planting of brassicas, spinach, mesclun, bokchoy and tatsoi in the ground. Since we’ve had great weather, everything is almost shivering with joy to be in the ground and growing. I can’t help but look around and with a sigh realize the beauty all around.

Tip for not having a bitter cucumber:

Cut of the end portion, taste it, and if it’s bitter, wash your knife before you finish slicing.

When Farmer Tom was asked what makes a cucumber bitter, he responded, “Bad relationships and tough divorces.” So just remember to keep your cucumbers happy, pamper them and keep reminding them how much you love them.