Green Thumb Sunday: Farming is a Tough Business Edition

Green Thumb Sunday: Farming is a Tough Business Edition

As you regular readers of the blog know well by now, Farming involves a regular helping of Tough Decisions. Specifically, Tough Decisions that have to be made with few concrete facts on which to base them, which, in the grand scheme of things, is probably why they're called tough decisions in the first place. In any event, today this farmer had to be The Decider about a number of things, which are illustrated here since it is, after all, a Green Thumb Sunday.

1.) The tomatoes.
As you may have noticed by the tree leaves starting to turn, fall is rapidly approaching. Unfortunately, many of the tomatoes are green green green, thanks especially to cool nights that have slowed the ripening process to a crawl. The days have been hot lately, which is what made this decision so tough, but an honest, unemotional look at the calendar (late September already?!), made this decision the easiest one to make. All of the new flowers and branches about to grow new flowers (that I could find in that jumble of tomato plants) had to be unceremoniously chopped off so that the plants' resources could be directed to ripening all those green tomatoes. Behold what would have been enough cherry tomatoes to last H for a whole summer, if only they would have had time to ripen:


2.) The watermelons.
Those miniMelons have been a Trial since the beginning, and just the other day, the birds started pecking them to death. I covered them with plastic pots, which for the record looked ridiculous, and they've been growing like that for a while. But today, I gave them a thump, which to my best guess seemed to sound hollow-ish, so I picked them. I have no idea if they're ripe or not, but I'm sure H & N will report on the quality. Here they are with some of the tomatoes that managed to get ripe.

So with the zucchini plant completely succumbing to the squash vine borers (with 4 miniZucchini growing on it still!), and now the watermelon plants gone, the only thing left on the Farm are the tomato plants. I think that means MiniChuck's Eye View will be going on hiatus until the next time I have a Farm...

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Gardeners, Plant and Nature lovers can join in every Sunday, visit As the Garden Grows for more information.

Farm Vitals
Yesterday's high: 77F
Yesterday's low: 55F
Warnings: Farmer on the Farm with Pruning Shears Alert
Mood of the farm: Fearful of pruning shears
Reason to consider a new career: I probably had more distress about that tomato pruning than any real Farmer should...

Hello There, Strangers!

Hi, folks. Seems like it has been 6.4 years since I last updated you on the progress of the Farm. Many important Milestones have occurred since then in my other life as a grad student, but if you know me in person, I've already bored you with all the details. And if you don't know me in real life, now would be a good time to be glad about that.

But! Even while I've been busy with school, many many things have happened on the farm. I think we'll need a list here, there are so many...
1.) The only things still growing on the farm are tomatoes, watermelon, and a few mini zucchinis on one sad, sorry plant. That's it, folks!
2.) I harvested the bounty (or what I thought would be the bounty) of the carrots. The big plan, as I think I mentioned before, was to freeze the carrots so that I could enjoy the exciting flavors of the farm in the winter, instead of boring old grocery store carrots. Well look what the whole, entire harvest entailed:

Here, dirty, with the basil (see #3)

Here, cleaned up, but not any more bounty.

Sad. Very very sad. And an amazing waste of farm space, it turns out. Luckily, I had a million farm box carrots, and I grabbed a bunch for $1 at the farmers' market. Also luckily, during the wash/peel/cut/blanche marathon Farmer Sis entertained me with stories of school and her farm (pictures may be coming soon!) so the time flew by. Anyway, the carrots are in the freezer and ready for a taste of summer in the middle of the winter. But lesson learned: next time I have a farm, I will not be planting carrots!

3.) As you can see in the picture above, I also harvested two of our five basil plants. Those got processed with some olive oil (and an extra bunch of farmers' market basil) and then put in a ziploc bag for freezing. I usually use ice cube trays to freeze that stuff in small portions, but Farmer Sand suggested that if you spread it as thin as possible in a freezer bag, you can just break off pieces when you're ready. Genius. Thanks!

4.) All the beans have been pulled, I've finally given up hope on the "fall lettuce," and two, count them two, of the nine tomato plants have moved on to greener pastures. Look for a post soon about the science-in-action learning project that resulted from those plants...

5.) Here's what the harvests look like these days. The yellow tomatoes are a bit cracked from our drought and my attempts at compensating with the hose. But they still taste pretty good; that's the good news.



Farm Vitals
Yesterday's high: 61F
Yesterday's low: 51F
Warnings: weather.com is misleading. I could see my breath this morning. Also, there's a heat wave coming.
Mood of the farm: It better have something to do with ripening as fast as possible during the heat wave this week.
Reason to consider a new career: Still happy with what I have going on over here...

Somebody Call a Doctor.

I hope you're sitting down for this, because it's going to come as quite a shock. Not only has the Farm blog been somewhat neglected over the past week, but so has the Farm. The even more shocking part is the reason for the neglect: I have been working. Like crazy. See? I told you to sit down.

Well anyway, I went to the Farm this morning to do a closer inspection of things, and folks, it was not pretty. The zucchini plants have developed an unfortunate case of powdery mildew:



















And not to be outdone by the fungus, squash borers have invaded the stems. I know it mostly looks disgusting in there, but see where it's kind of orange and looks a bit like sawdust? That is where some ginormous moths laid their eggs, which then bored into the stems and now gross grub-looking caterpillars are growing inside and making a mess of things. Rather than gross you out with the details, here's another link you can click on to get a closer look if you're not in the middle of eating. Though I will point out that the "surgery" I need to do on the other plants is kind of like my two dreams, combined into one thing. Surgery! On the farm! It's going to be so much better than Wii surgery, I can't even tell you...



















The powdery mildew, as it turns out, is not that big of a deal for the plants. It mostly slows down their growth, which is not a problem around the Farm because N's taste for zucchini can't keep pace with the plants. What's the solution to preventing it? Surprise, surprise. Spacing, people. Spacing. Mildew doesn't like airflow and direct sunlight.

However, the squash borer situation is more serious, and that plant was in rough shape. Not to mention the fact that it had completely plugged up the entrance to the farm. So if you'll all join me in a moment of silence (see how I placed my flipflop in there for scale?)...



Pour one for the homie.







And now, a farmer can get into her farm without risking death or muscle injury.




















That's not the end of the diseases. The beans, as you can see here, are in rough shape. I'm pretty sure the holes are from flea beetles that used to feed on the unstaked pea plants (do not follow directions on the seed packets re: not staking!), and moved once the peas were staked and later pulled because of the heat. And after a bit of google research, I can tell you that rusty-looking stuff is just that. Bean rust. Yet another fungus.



















At this point in the summer, and since the beans are still making beans, I'm going to leave it untreated. Next time I have a farm, though, I'll have to keep a closer eye on things.


Farm Vitals
Yesterday's high: 79F
Yesterday's low: 57F
Warnings: We're in a drought, and the average first frost is exactly one month away. *Ahem* if you're a tomato plant, especially one with yellow fruit, please get your fruit in gear and ripen stat.
Mood of the farm: Sickly, much like its farmer.
Reason to consider a new career: Farmer has been earning perfect 10s, except for the occasional dozing-off-deduction, watching Olympic gymnastics, which if you've watched at all, have heard Elfie Schlagel et al explain four million times is no longer possible. If I hear them explain the A and B score one more time, I'm going to kill someone, and I hear it's real hard to get access to farmland from prison.

Yellow Striped Cucumber Beetles Relive the 70s

Well, yesterday I was on the farm to check on the yellow striped cucumber beetles. I haven't really worried about them much because we're certainly not short on cucumbers or zucchini (since N is the only one that eats a lot of zucchini, and she can't keep up with what we're growing as it is). But I was curious. The collective wisdom of the internets say it's time to do something about these guys once you get five on a single plant. So imagine my surprise when I look into the following flower. What's that you say? There's only five in there? Nope. Look closer. Those are all *ahem* pairs of yellow striped cucumber beetles, apparently making more friends to hang out with. Great. Maybe it's good that the first average frost around here is September 15th...



















In entertaining news, here's a little trick of nature that resulted from all the feeding the cucumber beetles have done on the zucchini leaves. A flower grew right through one of the holes!


















And finally, the carrots are basically spaced out, and as you can see from the ones that I thinned, growing if not with gusto, then at least slowly but surely.

























Stay tuned tomorrow afternoon for a very first and extremely anticipated harvest! And of course, MiniChuck's Eye View of the Farm in the morning.


Farm Vitals
Yesterday's high: 83F
Yesterday's low: 68F
Warnings: Excited farmer coming to the farmer tomorrow!
Mood of the farm: Working up its patience for the farmer's undoubted exuberance tomorrow.
Reason to consider a new career: all this exuberance...

You Will Not Believe This

Things are going crazy on the farm, people. And the farmer clearly has not been paying enough attention. Take, as a prime example, the following thing I "noticed" this afternoon:



















Yes, due to the magic of lack-of-perspective, this looks like any old zucchini. But have a look at this:




















It was a monster! And I didn't even know it was growing in there! As big as a size 7, which is a completely "average" size for a foot (N would kill me if I didn't include that detail), but an enormous size for a little old farm zucchini. The real question is this: How could I have missed it???

Aftermath on the Farm

Well, here's some of the wreckage from Wednesday's antics. I know the zucchini looks giant, but before antics, it didn't really rest on the ground like that.

A closeup of the damage. But also, luckily, of lots of new flowers and leaves ready to go.

The watermelon, too, seems to have suffered a few torn leaves, but all in all, survived just fine.

In some good news, here are the Lemon Boys. The first picture is from the plant with the smaller tomatoes--the second picture has the big ones. Is it just me, or if you squint your eyes just right can you see the slightest hint of yellow in that second picture......

Farm Vitals
Yesterday's high: 85F
Yesterday's low: 64F
Warnings: Dog owner can't keep her dog on a leash
Mood of the farm: Healing
Reason to consider a new career: I'm thinking I should be focusing my energy on dog management...

It Ain't Heavy, Ma. It's My Neighbor

Prosocial acts on the farm: Wando peas trellis themselves

And by the farmer... Farmer Gower farm box delivery for H & N (plus some beans and peas I didn't take pictures of). Everyone eats cukes this week!

Farm Vitals
Yesterday's high: 81F
Yesterday's low: 62F
Warnings: There might be a slight threat of hail on the way...
Mood of the farm: I'm sorry to report a bout of stubbornness on the part of the tomatoes. As in, stubbornly growing many tiny tomatoes that aren't getting very big (though they are many)...
Reason to consider a new career: Powerless in the face of tomato defiance

Green Thumb Sunday: I Can't Believe I'm Growing All These Veggies Edition

Green Thumb Sunday: I Can't Believe I'm Growing All These Veggies Edition

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Gardeners, Plant and Nature lovers can join in every Sunday, visit As the Garden Grows for more information.

Farm Vitals
Yesterday's high: 83F
Yesterday's low: 60F
Warnings: The tomatoes are going to run out of summer if they're not careful...
Mood of the farm: Playing a trick on the Farmer by growing so many cukes a person could not possibly keep up
Reason to consider a new career: Today I wondered if there was such a thing as too much bounty...

Look What A Good Sleuth Can Find on the Farm

The first three zucchinis

Farm Vitals
Yesterday's high: 82F
Yesterday's low: 65F
Warnings: Tomatoes Growing Out of Control Alert
Mood of the farm: Unclear, though some plants (esp. the Wandos) were holding suitcases when I arrived today

Why Visitors Are Good For the Farm (and the Farmer)

Anonymous K made her last visit to the Farm before her great adventure back to the land of Dunkin Donuts, the Patriots, the Red Sox, Mary Lyon, and generally speaking All that is Right with the World. Lucky that she did, too, because she picked these delicious treats, and also spotted the very first zucchini of the season (picture tomorrow--I didn't have my camera). And I thought I was kidding when I wrote yesterday the farm was growing to impress her...


Maisy was on hand for the whole thing, of course, because she can't get enough of her Anonymous K. From the farm blog, Bon Voyage! And don't forget to post any New England farming tips you run across in the bliss of the Pioneer Valley.

Farm Vitals
Yesterday's high: 83F
Yesterday's low: 57F
Warnings: Extreme Thirst Alert
Mood of the farm: Thinking of packing up its roots and moving to MA.
Reason to consider a new career: nada

Green Thumb Sunday: Get Your Zucchini Recipes Ready Edition

Green Thumb Sunday: Get Your Zucchini Recipes Ready Edition

Join

Gardeners, Plant and Nature lovers can join in every Sunday, visit As the Garden Grows for more information.

Animals Abound

1. Cute while on this side of the fence. (Nice rock sculpture, eh?)
2. There's been a lot of mating going on where the farm is concerned. Here's the thing. For centuries, farmers have appreciated the need of all species to shag. It's natural, and farmers are all about nature. But the real question is this: must they nibble on the zucchini and cucumber leaves while going about their business?

On a more serious note--does anyone know what these are? Are they, as I fear, the dreaded striped cucumber beetles? And if so, does anyone have any ideas about what to do about them while there are only a few? I'm thinking pull them off by hand and hope to keep the numbers small. Thoughts?

3. Oh yeah. Also, here's how awesome the farm looks! Well, except for that crappy part on the right front side. Science-in-action post coming soon in explanation.

Farm Vitals
Yesterday's high: 79F
Yesterday's low: 61F
Warnings: Another great day for growing.
Mood of the farm: rolling its collective eye at all the mating ("kids these days!")
Fun fact of the day: Technically speaking, the only things growing in the garden that aren't fruits (besides the herbs) are spinach, lettuce, carrots, and onions. No really. Think back to 5th grade science.

My How You've Grown

Friends, Farmers, Pioneers, and Countrymen!

I returned to the farm last night after a six day hiatus, and I cannot even begin to describe the changes. If I'm not careful, I'm afraid this post could stretch on for days and days. So to get everyone up to speed, I thought a newspaper headline approach might be best...

Farmer Gower's Tomatoes Demonstrate Resilience in Non-Human Species
(page A-1, above the fold)
Just a week ago, these were the cold, stunted tomato plants I almost pulled out. Now they're out of hibernation and growing with gusto. As much as it pains me to say it because she does not need one additional ounce of encouragement, Suburban Farmer was *cough*right*cough*. Farming takes patience, and this farmer needs to find some stat.

Intensive Cultivation Method Proves Once Again Farmer Has a Lot to Learn
(page A-1, below the fold)

Folks, I've already admitted my less-than-accurate impression of the probability of planted seeds growing. I get it. They grow. All of them. But now I am left with this mess, which I really have no idea how to thin. I'm going to give it a shot this weekend, and will of course keep you posted. The good news, I guess, is that the carrots have now sprouted too along with the spinach.

Beans and Peas as High as a MiniChuck's Eye, and It Looks Like They're Climbing Clear Up to the Sky
(page A-2)


Rabbits Weep at Edge of Fence Keeping Them From Lettuce Bounty
(page A-4)
I think the first salad leaves will be ready to pick in a week or two. At least the chilly spring weather was good for one crop. The Romaine will take a little longer, but not much.

Strawberries, Watermelon, Zucchini, and Onions Keep on Keepin' On
(page A-10)

Weeds Threaten to Overtake Farm, Require Immediate Attention
(page B-1, above the fold, city section)
For instance, have a look around this bunch of carrot seedlings. I know what I'll be doing this weekend.


Neighbors Report Disturbance at 419; Farmer Found Shouting, Dancing a Jig in Joy, Surveying Her Bounty
(page C-18, Police Blotter)
The farm in the first rays of morning sun, after reuniting with its Farmer and a good soak from the hose (side note: Farmer can't believe there are places where you still have to water after her excursion to the rest of the midwest). Cages placed on tomatoes that are staying for the whole summer. Tomatoes without cages better shape up or risk replacement, though the jury is still out. Herb Report and Volunteer Update later this week.

Farm Vitals
Yesterday's high: 78F
Yesterday's low: 53F
Warnings: none
Mood of the farm: joyful at the return of the farmer (if I may be so modest)
Reason to consider a new career: the spinach and carrot fiasco is a little humbling...