We got about 1.5 inches of rain this week with heavy down pours that came with a 30 mph wind gusts. It reminded us of fall and we were glad we have done most of our fall preparation already. The pigs built themselves a wallow and played in the mud for much of the weekend while we hung out near the wood stove.
Animals and Eggs
All is well with the animals on the farm. The chickens continue to lay reasonably well. We will be getting a new round of meat chickens in about a month and they will be ready just in time for the December holidays. Soon we will be putting Toro the bull back together with Mocha the cow to get them in the mood to make next summer’s calf. A fall sheep sheering is in the planning stages to get them cleaned up before the rains come back in earnest.
Fruit
Apples are in the share this week. A simple tart is below. We have been hit especially hard by coddling moth this year and it seems to be getting worse each year. We have been hesitant to use a very expensive biological control that we know works. Between the cost of application and the fact that our trees are so few and so far apart, it has been difficult to justify. However, as we put in the new orchard over the next two springs, we will have a setup that can justify the application. In the mean time, we have been culling the damaged apples. But, we don’t get every effected one, so watch for bugs in the apples! Unfortunately, with the moths, being so bad, many of the apples go to the pigs, chickens and kitchen compost.
Herbs
Garlic and shallots are in the share this week. We know we sometimes call them herbs and sometimes vegetables. This depends on size and how strong their flavors are. This week they are herbs. We loved how the shallots yielded this year and will be adding more of them to next years crops list.
Vegetables
Cherry tomatoes are on their last few harvests as they have just about ended their plethora of production. Red tomatoes continue to produce prolificly and we are in the midst of adding height to their trellis so we can pick as long as the green house is frost free. That should be another another 5-6 weeks. Cucumbers are slowing down in numbers but accelerating in size and speed to maturity. We had a discussion this weekend with several fellow farmers on the issues of pickling cucumbers going mushy fast when they are over ripe. No solution yet to this dillema but we will get back to you when we can give some words of wisdom. Michael’s opinion was that mushy pickles are good but that debate is for another time. Kale continues to be light and flavorful and will be in the share for a few more weeks. We will then take a pause and have more as the weather gets cooler. Cured storage onions are in the share and will be around until we get to winter.
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