GFF Crop Report

While this may not be the most scintillating of prose - it does serve a purpose.  We wish to keep our CSA members and other interested parties informed of our crop status.  While we realize many will not read this in detail - it is one way that we can try to avoid miscommunications. 

For example, last year our winter squash was destroyed by rain.  Some people though the lack of winter squash meant we *did not grow that vegetable* - which, of course, is far from the truth.  Just ask the four of us who frantically put in the seed for that crop last year just prior to a downpour.

Plot E1 - Brassicae & Allium
Leeks and onions all transplanted (these are allium family).  The first batch of onions (white onions) look to be on target for July maturity.  Others are tagged for August and September.  Leeks are usually October or November.
Planting 1 of Kohlrabi looks to be 2 weeks out from first harvest (so 3 weeks from peak).  Planting 1 of Broccoli is about 2.5 weeks out from first broccoli heads.  All cabbage, broccoli, caufliflower, kohlrabi, brussels sprouts and kale scheduled for this field are IN.  Kale will get its first pick this coming week - but it will be a light picking as the plants are still small.

Plot E2 - melons/watermelon
companion flower seeds have germinated.  Transplanted melons and watermelons have appeared to 'take', but we don't expect much growth for another 4-5 days.  The melon/watermelon from seed are all in and are beginning to germinate.

Plot E3 - beans and potatoes
most of the potatoes have germinated.  It was slowed a bit by a need for some rain - which we finally did get.  There are sections that seem slower than others to get going, but I don't think we'll have any 'blank spots' in the rows this year.  Dry bush beans look good.  First and second green bean plantings look good.  A few of the lima types need a spot seed (normal).  We hope to get the next green bean succession in tomorrow.

Plot E4 - pumpkins, dry beans and sweet corn
NOTE - we don't grow sweet corn for the CSA - just enough for us to freeze.  And, per the norm - they aren't planted yet.  Ah well.  But, the pumpkin transplants are hanging in there so far.  This is the only plot that needs some major work yet this season.

Plot E5 - fallow

Plot E6 - All tomatoes have been in for a while.  Of the nearly 500 plants, only two succumbed to high winds or other issues.  We need to put in the companion basil and carrots.  We are finding that carrots are easier for us with later plantings (to avoid some of the crab grass issues).

Plot E7 - winter squash
All winter squash is in (both transplants and seeds).  Most seed has germinated.  companion flowers almost all in.  The cucumber beetles have found the crop, but we're hoping the plants have enough energy to fight them off.  The transplants have a jump and should be fine.

Plot T1 - summer squash/zucchini/onion
Plantings 1 and 2 are in.  Planting 3 hopefully tomorrow.  Seeds finally germinating after a slow start (the dry hot weather actually stopped them for a bit).  Germination levels are good.  Looks like July 20 or so for first picking.

Plot T2 - pepper, eggplant, dry bean, okra
All plants and seeds are in.  Plants look quite good so far this season.  Enough heat to make peppers and eggplant happy and not too much water.  Typically, first green bell peppers arrive around July 15.  We may have a trickle of them a bit earlier this season.

Plot T3 - peas and cucumbers
plantings 1-3 are in.  Planting 4 soon.  Peas required a spot reseed that is taking (somewhat).  We need to get fences up and a weeding is needed.  Peas probably won't get going until early July.  Remember, our soil holds moisture so earlier peas are difficult for us to even think about.

Plot SW - short season crops
lettuce, arugula, mustard, radish, turnips, etc etc.  This one is hard to report on.  Suffice it to say that some successions have been good, others not so good.  But, since they are 'short season' we can always replace a lost crop with a new one.  It just means we don't always have an item when we want it.

High Tunnel - we've got some tomatoes, peppers, broccoli and leeks in there now.  Some other things going in this week when (if) it rains.