I hope everyone is having a good week so far. Here on the farm the work continues at the normal summer pace, with a few added elements that are making for slightly longer days.

Overall, the crops in the ground and in the greenhouses are doing relatively well. The weather certainly leaves something to be desired, but could be far worse. The Zucchini, which have had squash set on the plants for the last two weeks have finally decided it’s time to grow out the squash. And while they are growing, they are not yet large enough to pick (perhaps before the end of the weekend). Cucumbers are doing roughly the same thing. The Snap Peas have finally perked back up and have even set some flowers. Isn’t it amazing what even a couple of days of stable, clear weather can do.

On the down side, and as a result of the rains and hot/cold cycles, the Lettuce that was almost ready has virtually all bolted to flower. Sadly, there will be none of my Lettuce available for probably 2 weeks. I’m also keeping a close eye on the Broccoli and Cauliflower plants to see what they’re going to do.

Out of nowhere, a major infestation of Potato Beetles arrived on Sunday evening. And I say arrived because I found them flying and walking in from northwest of the farm. Anyway, by Monday morning when I looked in the field, they had ravaged about 50% of the Russet Potato plants. While I did spray immediately, none of the pesticide I use is toxic enough to produce instant knockdown, so I wound up resorting to using a flame torch and burned almost all of the fully infested plants. I am still trying to get them under control, as they have also moved on to the Tomato and Eggplant areas. The damage they are causing will have a major impact on certain crops going forward this season.

The chickens are all doing pretty well. The Laying Hens are doing a great job, and the Broilers I have left, along with the newest additions are getting bigger by the minute. I did have a bunch of Broiler Chickens processed this week, and there is a good spread of sizes for fresh ones as well as frozen.

While I know it is still the middle of summer, I would like to remind everyone once again that I am taking orders for Fresh Thanksgiving Turkeys.

The sales of Preserves last week were rather brisk, but fear not as I still have a good supply. There is only one type I think I’ll have to make more of before Labor Day, and I am still working on getting Cherry Preserves done. Hopefully I’ll be able to get to it very soon.

Lastly, for those of you who pay close attention to nature, please let me know what you’re seeing in regard to the telltale trees throughout the area. I’ve noticed some very early changes, and I’m curious to get confirmation from around the mountaintop.

That’s it for the update, and I hope you all have a great week.