Sunday, July 26, 2009

Time to make pickles!

No lettuce this week, for the first time of the year I think. We've been keeping up with the zucchini, but the cucumbers are starting to pile up. I will be making pickles shortly. Also good to know that late blight shouldn't be a problem for us:
Everyone is talking about tomato blight, a potentially devastating tomato disease that is getting a lot of press (Sherry even appeared on a segment of NJN news last Tuesday to talk about it). This disease is a fungus, and is spread when its spores hitch a ride on air currents to neighboring farms or gardens. On our farms in Hopewell and Chesterfield Townships we are pleased to report we have absolutely no sign of tomato blight. Since we direct seed our tomato plants and do not purchase transplants, we are more likely to not experience the disease, since reports indicate that transplants purchased at retail centers have helped spread it. In addition, our tomato fields are surrounded by many acres of preserved land in both Chesterfield and Hopewell, and the tomato fields of other growers are relatively far away. There are a few home gardens bordering the Chesterfield farm, but our plants are quite a far distance from them.
David Camacho, our field manager, reports that our tomato plants look amazingly healthy, despite the overabundance of rain and our cool nights. And while those cool nights are inhibiting ripening, he thinks that warmer August days and nights will give us some of our best heirlooms ever! (from the weekly newsletter)
This week:
  • Cucumbers
  • Garlic
  • Onions
  • Parsley
  • Potatoes
  • Tomatoes
  • Scallions
  • Summer Squash
  • Flower Bunch

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