Catalpa Ridge News–Volume 20 No 2–June 22, 2015

Rainy Week!

This week we continued transplanting into the fields to keep the crop rotations on target. We did have a rough start to the week when the rototiller broke down.

The tilling of the soil in some of our beds was delayed and this of course halted planting in those beds though we were able to plant elsewhere in the fields.

We were able to accomplish planting in the main field. Included in the plantings were: Delicata Squash, Butter Bush squash, 3 varieties of zucchini, thyme, oregano, hot peppers, broccoli, and more sweet peppers.

The Red Gold potatoes in the delivery are from tubers we bought from Johnny's selected Seed. They are an early variety and the light red skin wraps around deep yellow flesh. They are great for roasting, boiling or steaming. Just toss with some butter, salt and your favorite herb. Ummmmm....

 

Summer started on June 21st with the summer solstice, but a little know tidbit is that June 24th is referred to as Midsummer Day. According to the Farmer's Almanac Midsummer Day is midpoint of the growing season, halfway between planting and harvest.According to our planting schedule this year, which was late, "Midsummer Day" should actually come later!

Everything that was transplanted is doing well.  The crew put down 3 more rows of plastic and these rows are ready to be planted hopefully by mid-week.

 

Franklin Greenhouse Report:  We rolled over the beds and seeded some Tendergreen mustard, spinach & transplanted eggplant. Michael installed a new irrigation system in Franklin and it is working great. All the beds now are getting consistent watering and this will improve productivity.

Weather Report:  Overall we had a rainy week. During these rainy days when field work is close to impossible the crew cleaned up the greenhouses. About 2.25" of rain fell during the past week which hampered some of our field work. The night temperatures were on the cool side which is great for the cool weather crops. Daytime temps were warmer and a bit on the muggy side.  Month to date precipitation has been 3.43' according to the Farming Forecast on weather.com.

Animal Report: There is a bumper crops of rabbits sneaking into the fields on a daily basis though not too much of a nuisance "yet". On Thursday a bear was sitting in the picnic area where we sort the harvests for each site, apparently looking for some "scraps" . The deer have been staying away from the fields and all of our fence repairs are working great.