Kitchen Garden
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Six weeks into summer 2019 we are over a hump, if not the halfway point. I visited Paris in August 1974. It was hard to find a business open. Eschewing air conditioning we Americans find ubiquitous, Parisians fled the heat of August for the Mediterranean Coast and other breezy spots. We could learn from that… Read more
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With late planting and heavy spring rain the garden has been a mixed bag. A highlight of every year is arrival of tomato season and planning the use of what I expect will be a good crop. The first tomatoes have ripened, and now we wait for the slicers and plums. We eat them fresh,… Read more
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I stood outside in early morning darkness where there was a refreshing yet decidedly warm breeze. The overnight low was 80 degrees Fahrenheit. I’m not sure if that’s warm enough to hinder apple production but scientists believe at some point failure to cool adequately at night does impact taste and texture. They don’t fully understand… Read more
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The challenge for a gardener is to use or preserve the abundance in a way that makes sense. At the beginning of a gardener’s life-long journey, what that means is not clear. Clarity approaches as our interaction with a kitchen garden matures, planting to meet the anticipated demands of modern living — season by season,… Read more
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I sliced fresh cucumbers on the mandolin and dressed them with a mixture of olive oil, homemade apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper for the potluck. Not sure how much to take, I used all the Tasty Jade Asian cucumbers I picked in the morning. It made a generous offering. The dressing took place on… Read more
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On a fine summer day conditions were perfect to harvest hay and garlic. My CSA friends recruited volunteers to bring in the garlic and across the county farmers were baling hay in large round and small rectangular bales. On Independence Day farmers came to town to buy cultivators, salt blocks, pumps, feed, big pedestal fans,… Read more
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June’s last day marks the beginning of my hiatus from farm work. The orchard’s chief apple officer confirmed they need me in the sales barn this year. My manager emailed me back to set a starting date. Apple season is set and I can focus on other things in July. For the first time this… Read more
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The garden was muddy making it difficult to plant… so I waited. For exercise I took a walk on the state park trail, 20 minutes out and 20 minutes back… with stops for photos. Although the pace was slow, I could feel the benefit of the walk. It energized me to install the deer fence… Read more
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I caught a break between thunder storms. Friday I donned my wax jacket and rubber boots and went to the garden to harvest kale in a light drizzle. The leaves were ready to pick and I wanted to get a regular shipment to someone. It was a big harvest and what I didn’t give away… Read more
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An innovation I discovered at a political event was an open air composter made from shipping pallets. At Jean and Jix Lloyd-Jones home they had a composter similar to what’s in the image outside their kitchen door leading to the yard. During the last few years I secured some pallets and made one. It works… Read more
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