Catalpa Ridge News–Volume 20 No. 4–July 6, 2015

Garlic Harvest Begins

With more rain falling during the week we had to start the garlic harvest earlier than usual. We were at risk of losing some of it so it was better to harvest than lose it. The rain pounded the newly transplanted cucumbers in the back field and wiped out more than half of them. The Brussel sprouts and cabbage faired a bit better during these storms.

 

The crops are growing well except in the round field which is a little too wet. We had planted that field first in the spring when we were having too dry conditions and now things have changed.

 

During the garlic harvest Dory happen upon a hornets nest and was stung repeatedly. Though she felt ok during remainder of the day she did have to go to the hospital in the evening to receive some treatment for swelling and a fever. Fortunately she is back on track and no worse for the ordeal.

 

Both Lisa and Michael took some time off during the week and we welcomed back Ali for a few days to fill in. Lisa went away to a wedding and Michael to Boy Scout camp with his troop. He is both an Eagle Scout and a leader. He even took some strawberries and rhubarb and they made some strawberry/rhubarb pie over a campfire!

Field plantings this week included: Chinese cabbage, oriental greens, escarole, and broccoli raab. Since it is so wet we plan on planting into the harvested garlic beds as we cannot make new beds with the degree of mud that we have at the present time.

Franklin Greenhouse Report: The Oriental greens may be harvest next week. The eggplant and peppers are doing well though the buckwheat microgreens are not germinating well. This week we have another bed to turn over and more Oriental greens will be planted. The arugula is really coming along great and should be harvested next week.

Weather Report: Unfortunately more rain fell during the week which we didn’t need. There is more rain in the forecast for this week as well. A rough wind storm came close to the farm, just south of us. Many trees were uprooted and the roads were closed in about three places so it made a difficult trip home on Wednesday. On the 4^th of July, in the rain, we spent some time in the greenhouses.