What's New on the Farm

"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap

but by the seeds you plants. "

Robert Louis Stevenson

It was overcast this morning which means it was only 95 degrees

 and I took advantage of the little "cool "spell to go out and do a little garden cleaning

 and harvesting, after letting everything go to seed.

harvested hollyhock, leek, and sunflower seeds,

picked some apples and end of the season lemons.

I have let our artichokes flower. Aren't they just beautiful?

I like to do this at the end of the season to enjoy their gorgeous blooms.

This is when you can really see that they are a member of the thistle family.

My cucumbers are really coming along. I think I am going to make pickles this weekend!

 picked these...looks like we'll be having ratatouille tonight.

So far, our pumpkins are doing great...crossing our fingers that we will be able to have a

little pumpkin patch in October to share with our community.

 First of the season key limes.  All they need is a Sol.

The Kadota figs are just about ready.

The first blush of red on our pomegranates gives me hope

that this heat will not be here forever... fall is going to come.

Our Easter rescue chicks are growing bigger and are now out of confinement and free ranging. 

We have transitioned them to be with the big girls and all is going well. 

We still don't know if they are all hens or if we might have a rooster.

Does anyone know the breed of the black pullet in this picture?  Since these are rescued Easter chicks,

I do not know their breeds. I didn't purchase them.  But I think one is a barred rock and

the red pullet is a Red Sex link /Cinnamon Queen but I don't know about the black one. 

So if you have any ideas let me know. Thanks!

We planted 12 different kinds of basil this year, which mixed together makes an amazing pesto.

Harvested a bunch

and made pesto ice cubes that I freeze and use in salad dressings, marinades, or over pasta.

I like to make ice cubes with the last of the season lemons, too. Perfect for making those fall jams.

That is all that is going on here.  I am actually in the middle of painting the kitchen

cabinets white and going a little crazy with mouldings.  All this has happened because we needed

a new stove...funny how those things work.

Hope you're keeping cool!