>Summer Week 9: Beans, Basil, and Crazy Weather

• Zucchini and/or Summer Squashes

• Cucumbers

• Yellow or Green Snap Beans

• Swiss Chard or Carrots

• Sweet Onions or Green Onions

• Basil

• “Chesnok Red” Garlic

• Apricots

FRUIT: Apricots from Cliffside Orchards in Kettle Falls, near Spokane. Jeanette says they have an incredible bumper crop this year, so enjoy. And if you love them and want a 25# case of your own, they’re $35—let me know by Friday night.

U-PICK: Make sure you snip some flowers when you’re here–there are plenty for everyone!

COMING SOON:

New Potatoes

Green Beans

Cauliflower

Dill

Peaches

We suffered through the desert heat of two weeks ago—what misery. It was all we could all do to console ourselves by admitting that we were glad it wasn’t like this all the time. I mean really, 110°? The cooling was oddly comforting last week—I personally enjoy temperatures in the 70°’s, and the chilly nights made it seem almost like fall. But as soon as the sun comes out, and it warms up to 80° in minutes, we are reassured that summer is still here, after all. 

When the forecasts called for a chance of rain this week, we thought, “Oh, sure, a little drizzle maybe.” But what joy! We had nearly an inch of rain last night! We were trying to move sprinklers around enough to wet the ground before we plant the rest of the winter crops. Those little seeds just don’t settle well in the dust—and our soil turns to talcum powder if it’s worked up dry. So, the heavens took care of that problem for us, and now we’re ready to plant! Perfect timing. It’s also so nice to cut the dust for a little while. Our house is just blanketed with a layer of dust, inside and out. 

I hope everyone had a chance to get broccoli last week, and if you missed out on beans this week, don’t worry there will be more. Cauliflower is heading beautifully, aided by this cool weather, and the basil is beautiful. Fennel and radicchio are coming along—I know Dave and Wendy will be happy about that. 

The time has come to ‘fess up about tomatoes for this year. Back in February, we asked Auburn High School to start a bunch of plants for us. The did a great job with onions, celery, parsley, and a host of other things. However, sadly, my trusty tomato varieties did not fare well. They were forgotten in a corner. We tried to get replacement plants but couldn’t find much more than Early Girl. We will not have our own tomatoes this year, and so unfortunate in what would have been a perfect year for them. I may be able to buy tomatoes from a farmers market vendor in Tonasket, with pretty decent tomatoes if everyone wants them. Please let us know if they are really important to you and we will make sure you get them.

Have a great week!