Another week closer to the end of summer, and as if to make the point I have the last of the Pennsylvania Peaches for this season. While the seasons change, work on the farm continues as it does.

In the field, the rains that we had last week finally did what I hoped wouldn’t happen and caused a widespread and sudden fungal outbreak. While Snap Peas were ending (hopefully temporarily until the next planting), the majority of damage was done to Zucchini (which were already suffering from other issues), Cucumbers, Pumpkins, and Winter Squash. Initial surveys are not promising, though it may be possible to salvage some of the crops and keep plants like the Cucumber producing at minimal levels.

As was mentioned above, I have the last of the Peaches for this season. They are ending a week earlier than usual due to a light crop. I will have Local Apples available again this week, featuring Honeycrisp, Zestar, and Gala varieties (Macintosh possibly next week). I also, based on several people asking, got some Italian Plums. Local Blueberries are back this week after a short hiatus, and I will also have some more of those Canadian Wild Blueberries.

The weather this past week, although not even remotely close to the initial forecast, was dry enough that I was finally able to dig a significant amount of Potatoes. There will be Russet, Red, and Yukon Gold varieties available.

Flowers are pretty much all still in full bloom, so if you want to get pictures, then now is the time. There should still be good numbers of Gladiola for the next couple of weeks.

In the coops, the chickens are all doing great. The newest round of Broiler Chickens are getting big so quick that I will have to move them out to their normal housing this week. That is more than a full week ahead of schedule, and is based on their size. If they continue to grow at this rate, I will be processing earlier than anticipated. While I don’t have a firm date yet, please keep an eye out for announcements.

Lastly, I’m sure a good few of you have already noticed the trees, and no, I do not mean any specific ones on the farm. Based on the color changes already taking place, which began much earlier than usual, they are telling me that Fall is basically already here. I had begun making preparations to deal with any rapid changes in the plants a couple of weeks ago, and already dealt with some of them, but there is only so much I can do as the vast majority of farm operations are outside and directly affected by those changing conditions. Anyway, I just thought I would mention what I’m seeing and make note of the plans and actions.

That’s it for now. Thanks to all who have been able to come by and help support the farm. I heard from a number of people last week that it was their last weekend and they were headed back home to their usual routines, so I wanted to say an extra thank you to all of them and that I hope you all had a great time over the summer. Hope you all have a great week.