Tag: broccoli

We Have A Jumper!

Early one morning a large, pregnant, doe jumped the seven-foot deer fence and helped herself to an entire wave of our new variety of fluffy, green romaine–eating only the hearts from each plant. Fortunately, we have some that she did not manage to find before Robert chased her out! We feel she is the same “dear” deer who was in our garden one year ago. Last season Robert actually caught her crawling under the fence on her stomach via a drainage ditch. She is not afraid of us in the least! She has an acquired taste for our vegetables (specifically: lettuce, romaine & peas) and lurks nearby every day. This probably means she is “bedded down” on the property somewhere in the woods. Naturally, she soon will be teaching her newly arrived offspring the “Joys of Seasonal Gourmet Vegetables!” Wild animals are creative and resourceful. We do our best to out-smart them! The fence is shored up and stakes are planted in the drainage ditch.

Cauliflower and Artwork Broccoli

Needless to say, we are getting to the end of the romaine and lettuce. We are attempting to harvest the cauliflower heads before the heat of the sun gives them a “blush” of color. In the boxes this week you will find kohlrabi, the first patty pan squash, perhaps a zucchini (they are just starting), red romaine, green romaine, cauliflower, broccoli heads and florets or artwork, lettuce, and endive.

It is hot and it is very, very dry! Thank goodness our wells provide drip irrigation which gives the crops a fighting chance.

Seasons Change!

We are moving into kohlrabi (red/green), broccoli, cauliflower this week along with the lettuce, kale (red/green), romaine (red/green), escarole, endive, and the big, tall, light green Tokyo Bicanna. The “red/green” note means it depends on which variety needs to be harvested that particular morning. You can see from this list the chois are missing. Some CSA Members will be happy, perhaps; but, others will be saddened. Seasons change!

Something else missing will be peas. Somehow the peas were planted in one of the gardens not surrounded by the deer fence this year–sorry. Unfortunately, the deer got into the peas two days ago and ate both them and the plants on which they were growing. When I say deer, I do not mean one or two . . . we have a hungry herd! And apparently, a herd with a taste for Seasonal Gourmet Vegetables!!

Broccoli heads and cauliflower heads will vary in size depending on where in the garden they were growing. Our gardens include a variety of different soils. Think of it like a patchwork quilt! It is just the way God made it and there is nothing that can be done to change this fact. If the plants were in a more clay-pack area, they will be smaller. Also, we have different varieties of broccoli planted. Some years one variety does better than another; so this, too, may account for differences.

This little head with the long stalk is a special variety called Artwork.

At some point we will also be taking a new variety of green romaine lettuce which we are trying out. It is fluffier–more round than tall. And leaves have little ridges.

It is hot and dry. We are not excited to hear about the high 80 and 90 degree temperatures heading our way. At least we have our underground, drip irrigation to help keep the plants growing!