24 Jun Lightning bugs and Summer Solstice
As strawberries wind down and the first official days of summer are here, we move with enthusiasm into summer crops- the season’s first cucumbers and zucchini are plentiful, and a welcome addition to our farm meals.
The field tomatoes seem to grow a few inches every day. At least weekly we add another string to the trellis to keep them upright. As you can see from the photo below, the cherry tomatoes are full of fruit, and just starting to blush.
We transplant multiple plantings of cantaloupes and watermelons. The first planting is loaded with baby lopes. It’s not quite summer until you eat a fresh melon straight from the field, the sweet sticky juice dripping down your chin! Soon enough!
The green beans are another summer crop you can expect at the farmers markets this weekend, and as a pick-you-own in the CSA share next week.
Even as we harvest the last of the spring crops, keep cultivating and harvesting and eating summer crops, we are looking forward to fall. It is the farmer’s job to always be thinking not only a few hours and days ahead, but also planning months in advance. There’s no cramming for the test in farming…! Fall spinach, broccoli and cabbage are being seeded in the propagation greenhouse, and the leeks were just transplanted into the fields. The winter squash field looks amazing and we are already seeing the first tiny fruits.
Last night we savored our dinner outside, watching the twinkling lightning bugs as the light faded, enjoying a delicious meal, our bodies and minds nourished and content. Does life get much better than that? Happy summer solstice! Enjoy the beautiful days and tastes of summer!
Post and photos by Tricia Borneman, Blooming Glen farmer and co-owner.
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