Well, another week gone by and another week of way-too-cold temperatures. I thought this summer would be "normal" after last summer, but it may just be weirder than last.
So, how big of an affect is this on the produce? Well, the biggest issue is getting those warm season crops to market and in the box. One example is that our earliest corn, a 58 day sweet corn (that is, 58 growing days from emergence to ripe corn) is still not ready and it was planted in mid May. I'm sure that's going to make it since all we need are the kernals to fill out, but what about the late season corn which is 78 days? What about that popcorn I'm trying this year at 90 days? Yikes! Warm season crops just grow so slow when we only hit 75 during the day and the plants completely shut down when we hit 50 degrees at night. Those nights when you can't sleep because it's too hot and muggy are what we need because then things are growing even then...we haven't had a single night like that.
I'm certain we'll get these warm-season crops to come in, but the season will be pretty short. We'll have an avalanche of stuff at the end of August til Mid-September, which is good, but I'd rather the stuff be in now until Mid-September.
One Japanese Eggplant
Cucumbers
Parsley
One Garlic...fresh, so a bit different to peel.
Zucchini
Sweet Onion-a big variety called Alisa Craig
Torpedo Onion
Yellow Beans
Beets
Broccoli
Baby Red Potatoes
A Baby Bok Choi
More raspberries: we're making the rounds...definately need to plant more so we're not scrounging and can supply everybody for a couple weeks.
2 Cucumber Salads
3 cups cucumbers (thinly sliced)
1/2 cup onion (thinly sliced)
Salad 1:
Place cucumbers and onions in a large bowl and sprinkle with 1 tsp. salt. Let stand 1 hour; drain.
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup vinegar
1/2 tsp. celery seed
Mix together in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, cook and stir until sugar is dissolved. Pour over cucumbers. Cover and marinate in refrigerator for several hours or overnight. Keeps several days.
Salad 2:
1/4 cup vinegar or lemon juice
2 T. oil
1/2 t. salt
1 T. sugar (optional)
Mix together and add to the cucumbers and onions.
