Vegetable Crop Update 

by Farmer Andy

Now that we're in the height of the summer season, here is whats happening with the vegetable crops and what to look for in the coming weeks:

Tomatoes - coming on late but looking good.  Now is the time to get your tomatoes.  Lots of different varieties this year, try some of the more unusual heirlooms such as Golden King of Siberia, jubilee or green zebra (ask a farmer which is which).  Cherries are almost in full production as well.  For those looking to can, keep an eye out for canning shares.

Beans - we've been sowing beans every 10 days or so and now they beginning to reach their peak.  The pediobius wasps seem to be controlling the Mexican bean beetle, leaving more beans for you.  For much of the summer we should be able to offer the 2 quart unit for those of you who like beans and its also enough to put some away for winter.  In addition to green, we'll have yellow and the yellow and purple Dragon's Tongue.

Okra - now coming on strong.  A few red ones but mostly green pods.  Try this vegetable grilled if you are not familiar with it.

Peppers - a very slow start, but we expect a late rally.  We purchased most of our plants this year due to greenhouse constraints and they were small and did not appear healthy.  After being planted they were attacked by corn borers which bored through the main stem of the plant.  We released trichogramma wasps which did their job and now we are seeing fruit.  Lots of different varieties this year, look for them very soon.

Eggplant - a moderate harvest so far of the purple long Japanese variety, but the larger white and purple ones are now beginning to ripen and should be coming in strong in coming weeks.

Lettuce - the summer batavian varieties are hanging in there and should be available at all times.

Beets & chard - the diglyphus wasps seem to have won the battle with the leafminer fly that has destroyed many of our chard crops in the past and we are planing chard now which should be ready later in the month.  A new crop of beets should be available in about a week or so.

Summer squash/zucchini - a record year!  We have been harvesting nearly 1-1/2 tons every week for the past few weeks & hope you and anyone you share it with are enjoying it.  It is finally starting to scale back, but should be available right up until early September.

Cucumber - started strong and now is starting to scale back in production.  We probably have a couple more weeks of cucumbers left for the season.

Melons - we have never been that great at growing melons, but this has been a good season so far!  Farmer Dennis has been trialing different varieties and disease control strategies this season and his approach seems to be working (he won't tell us his secret).  We have been rotating the watermelons and cantaloupes through different times during the pickups so everyone can get a taste.

Herbs - basil should continue through the summer.  While it is getting attacked by downy mildew (a greyish fuzz on the underside of the leaf), this can be washed off until it starts to turn the leaf yellow.  Parsley should also be avilable sporadically.  As the weather cools, look for more dill, cilantro and parsley.

Berries - blackberries are now in full production and are definitely a recommended upick now through September.  The everbearing raspberries are also still producing and should continue into September as well.

Onions & leeks - as fresh onions wrap up, look for leeks and scallions to be available for the next month or so.  Then later in the fall, we'll have cured storage onions available.

Celery - one of my favorites!  If you have not yet tried our celery, give it a try as it is much more flavorful than what you'll find in the supermarket.  Great dipped in hummus, tahini or peanut butter as well as in salads.  Another week or two left for this until the fall crop.

Look for these to be the primary crops until mid-September when we begin to transition into the cooler season leafy varieties such as kale, chard, collards, broccoli, asian greens, turnips & radishes.