And just like that, we’re in the thick of it! Harvesting 1000+ pounds of tomatoes each week and 110 pounds of fairy tale eggplants in a single day. Meanwhile, the rows and rows of sweet peppers appear increasingly colorful, and the okra plants grow taller right before your eyes. I’m cherishing any day the temperature stays below 90 degrees.
The lisianthus are on the scene in a big way. (You’ll be seeing the “lizzies” at the market for the next few weeks. These stems have a long vase life, up to 14 days!) Buckets and buckets of gomphrena and celosia stems continue appearing in the cooler as well. Between wedding floral arrangements, a stint at the Westport market selling bouquets, and a summer flower conference in Massachusetts, the flower team has been, to put it lightly, busy.
Needless to say, it’s a hectic time of year. During a recent team lunch, Elise posed the question, “What are you most looking forward to in August?” At least half of us responded, “September.”
I’m not typically one to wish the time away. Admittedly, the idea of a crisp, fall breeze sounds delightful during these hot and humid days. There’s plenty to appreciate right now though.
Including, but not limited to…
Hot peppers! We’ve had jalapenos and cayennes for the last few weeks, and now some of the more niche varieties are ready to harvest. There are new varieties this year, some lower on the Scoville scale. The Aji Sugar Rush Peach and Aji Rojo are Peruvian hot peppers that are just slightly hotter than a jalapeno. The Numex Suave Orange has the the flavor of a habanero but little-to-none of the heat.* I’ve been thoroughly enjoying taste-testing hot peppers and trying new recipes with them this year. If you have a go-to salsa recipe, please share. Oh, and for those who like heat, don’t worry. The Death Spirals and Ghost Peppers are on their way, too.
Your friendly neighborhood spider!
Aphid-chomping lacewing eggs!
Helpful bugs! This time of year typically includes the task of hunting for the destructive hornworm caterpillars in the cherry tomato plants. This year, we’ve had a lot of help from a friendly, little wasp. The braconid wasp is teeny-tiny with clear wings, and it lays its eggs on the hornworm caterpillars. When the eggs hatch, it doesn’t go great for the caterpillar. We’ve found lots of hornworms that the wasps have gotten to first. Elsewhere on the farm, Caley discovered the eggs of aphid-eating lacewings by the scallion plants, and I stumbled onto a contingent of (I’m told) friendly spiders in the eggplant high tunnel. It’s nice to have some extra friends on your side.
Market days! It’s exciting to have so much food (and more tomatoes than ever before) and flowers to share at the markets. It truly is a highlight of my week to see the excitement of our customers as their favorite summer crops arrive to the market. It definitely makes this time of year special.
-Kiersten
*Results may vary. Every once in a while, a pepper plant does something crazy and produces fruit waaaaay hotter than it’s supposed to produce. Just a friendly note to proceed with caution if spice isn’t your thing!
