Tuesday PM

Since the rains have finally arrived I feel we can finally move ahead with our fall planting plans.  Craig is planting Mammoth Melting Snow Peas as I write this entry.  Everything for the fall planting hinged on whether or not we received any rain since all the beds are like concrete.  Beauregard sweet potatoes were harvested yesterday morning after irrigating Friday and Saturday so we could dig them.  This is the first year they have a reduced yield and the size is much more reasonable versus the 3 - 4 lb sweet potatoes of past years. 

The weather has made a huge impact on yields of all my potatoes, onions, spring planted snow peas and french green beans.  All this hot weather and no rain has resulted in huge crop losses.  We are preparing for hightunnel and low tunnel production to see us through the fall and winter.

Pretty much lost the Bloody Butcher and Cherokee Indian Corn Flour crop due to early season storms; however, the Tuscarora fared better since it had already pollinated before being blown down in these same storms.  The Strawberry and Dakota Black Popcorn look good.  I have been harvesting the corn tassels for making wreaths and swags.  Corn husks will follow once the corn has dried down and we prepare for shelling.

We made a minature corn crib inside one of our sheds to dry out the corn.  We have learned to improvise with what we have.