Freshski's

Here we are at the beginning of summer or the time that most people in St. Louis enjoy for our heat loving vegetables.   Small tomatoes should already be in abundance at farmers markets, groceries and roadside stands.  You’ll see more and more colors and shapes as the season progresses.  Some will be fruity and sweet, some tart and some juicy.  But one thing is certain, they are what we have waiting for and they are delicious. 

Try as many you can find and eat them in salads, pastas, or just eat them as snacks.  There is nothing better in this area than the tomatoes.  Hot days and warms nights ensure the distinct flavors that we all enjoy and associate most with summer.  And before your know it, the larger tomatoes will make their appearance.  They will be big and bold, colorful, juicy and above flavorful. 

You will easily find beefsteaks and other hybrids just about everywhere you look.  You will also begin to see some early heirlooms, the best of which are in the Brandywine family. July will be a very good month to begin trying any and all varieties of hybrid and heirloom tomatoes.  This is just the beginning of a tomato season that will range into October. 

Those of you who grow your own tomatoes and herbs know the value of planting the types that you enjoy to eat.  The freshness of the basils with the flavors of the tomatoes gives you unlimited number of way to prepare the best dishes from your garden.  Many of you enjoy the simplicity of pestos, tomato salads with cheeses and tomatoes cut into light pastas.  Yes, now is a great time to be in this area for the culinary spirits who crave fresh flavors and tastes.

The long hot, dry spell in June is causing some serious problems elsewhere in the gardens and fields.  Blueberries and blackberries are struggling due to the weather and should be smaller and less abundant than usual.  The same is true of sweet corn, unless it is irrigated.  Several sources of excellent irrigated sweet corn can be found just across the river in Granite City at Relleke Farms and in Collinsville at Keller Farms.  Both have quality corn at both their farm and roadside stand locations.

Home gardeners know full well how difficult this late spring has been due to the dry conditions.  Everyone is watering as much as they can to keep the plants fresh and in some cases alive.  May was very, very dry and the hot days of June have made matters worse.  However, this is the Midwest and the rest of the summer could be wet and warm. That’s the challenge of growing here in the fields or in the backyard.  We don’t control the weather and we can only be prepared for what it gives us.  

Until there is an increase in the amount of rain we receive, you should expect cucumbers, summer squashes and beans to be inconsistent in both quality and availability.  They will be available at your favorite farmers markets and farm stands, but probably not in the quantities or appearance that you normally expect.  This was also the case last summer as farmers and growers struggled to produce the type of summer vegetables that we normally enjoy in our area. 

You may want to even take a weekend drive north where the rains have been more consistent and the crops are being reported as very good.  Or you can drive over to Calhoun County, Illinois to pick up some early peaches, plums and nectarines.  You might consider taking the Great River Road outside of Alton to Grafton and then the Brussels ferry across the river to Calhoun Country. There you will find many orchards and farms with good supplies of fruit and vegetables.  It’s a good family trip that all will enjoy.

Summer is in full swing and so are the temperatures.  Even home gardeners know the importance of being safe and cautious during the heat of the day.  Most of us who grow start very early and will stop in midday as the heat intensifies.  We also know to drink water, water, and more water.  These hot, hot days will take every bit of liquid out of your system and dehydrate a person quickly.  So if you are out working in the heat, take water breaks every hour.  You will need it.

July is usually the time of year when most home gardeners surrender after the first tomato harvest.  But for all of you brave ones, this is only the beginning as we prepare soon for the great fall harvests.  Yes, Hot Fun in the Summertime is the prelude to the Best of the Midwest coming this fall to a market or farm stand near you.