Organic Harvest – High Summer

HEIRLOOM TOMATOES, ALL IN A DAYS HARVEST IN AUGUST

 It’s high summer, and although I cannot grow as many vegetables as I wish I could given work and time, the four raised beds still are delivering alot of produce. I have tried to use a French Intensive method for growing many of the veggies this year, which means, closely planted plants, and I used many trellises and growing towers, especially for pole beans. The crops are just starting to come in, and yes, the summer squash that I shared in a previous post, are still coming in. I am only trying to grow vegetables that I cannot buy at farm stands locally, or, growing varieties that are impossible to find.

IF YOU REMEMBER, I PLANTED THESE HEIRLOOM ITALIAN POLE BEANS IN JUNE, A VARIETY CALLED CORNET MERAVIGLIA DI VENEZIA, AND NOW, THE HARVEST IS HEAVY, WITH A PLATE PICKED FULL EACH DAY.

REMEMBER THAT BELGIAN ENDIVE CROP THAT I PLANTED IN MARCH? IT IS LOOKING SO GREAT. THIS IS A PLANT THAT WILL NEED TO GROW UN-STRESSED AND RATHER DRY  ALL SUMMER LONG, UNTIL I HARVEST THE ROOTS IN NOVEMBER TO POT UP FOR FORCING THROUGH OUT THE WINTER. ODDLY, THIS PLANT FORMS LARGER ROOTS IF WATER IS RESTRICTED, SO I TRY NOT TO WATER IT TOO MUCH. TECHNICALLY, IT IS A CHICORY, SO THINK – ‘SIDEWALK WEED’, AS YOU WATER.

It was a cold day when I planted the seed for these root vegetables in March, and the Belgian Endive crop is looking good. I only planted a single row, so this is more of an experiment than something that I can live off of, but mastering this crop has always been on my bucket list ( yes, I am a very boring person!), at least, I’ve wanted to try growing it since being a teenager. This is a crop that I will not be harvesting, or, more properly, digging up, until November, when I will plant the roots in clean soil in a large tub, which will go into the cellar covered up in black plastic to keep all light out. This will cause the roots to sprout, and then, the inevitable harvest of the pale yellow cornichons. A long season for a winter treat. That is, if it all works!

PICKLING CUKES ARE MY FAVORITE CUCUMBER AND, A FOND MEMORY OF MY CHILDHOOD WHEN WE WOULD PICK BUSHEL BASKETS FULL IN THE GARDEN SO THATS MY PARENTS COULD PICKLE THEM.  THIS VARIETY, CALLED ‘ALIBI’ IS A DISEASE RESISTANT FORM.

THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR THAT I HAVE GROWN PICKLING CUCUMBERS ON TRELLISES. THEY ARE WORKING VERY WELL, MAKING PICKING FRUIT EAST SINCE THE HANG THROUGH THE REAR OF THE LEAN-TO STRUCTURE. OUR HONEY BEES ENSURE LOTS OF POLLINATION.

SWEET SUMMER CABBAGE IS MY FIRST CHOICE FOR SLAW AND RAW EATING. THIS VARIETY, ‘CARAFLEX’ A CONE SHAPED HEAD, IS BY FAR MY FAVORITE FOR SMALL GARDENS.