July 31, 2020

I had been planning … that’s not the right word … hoping … to have some sweet corn this week. But, as I’ve said to some of you, keeping sweet corn away from non-human animals is seriously challenging around here. The biggest challenge is raccoons, who will go down the rows and tear down every ear to take a sample bite. So far it looks like my efforts to keep them out have succeeded. Unfortunately, the deer have finally figured out how to jump the fence. They basically destroyed the sweet corn patch last night. I have a second, somewhat later patch, but I’m not holding my breath. Once the deer have figured out a way in and know that they want in, I’m not optimistic about keeping them out now.

In better news, I have lots of green beans of three different varieties and lots of cherry tomatoes, including Matt’s Wild Cherry.

In even better news, it finally rained. The soil was so dry after weeks and weeks of hardly any rain that we’ll need a lot more rain to fully replenish soil moisture levels. But this rain will make a big difference, so I’m really grateful for it. — Sydney

This week’s items

Items we plan to have at the market this week (an asterisk indicates unusually limited quantities):

• Beans, Dry (assorted varieties, including Peregion and Tiger’s Eye)
• Beans, Snap (Contender, NT Half-runner, and Rattlesnake)
• Beets, loose (Chioggia, Merlin, Touchstone Gold)
• Cabbage*
• Carrots (Kuroda and Paris Market)
• Cowpeas, Dry (Black Crowder and Calico Crowder)
• Cucumbers*
• Dry beans and cowpeas (assorted varieties, including Tiger’s Eye beans, Peregion beans, Red Kidney beans, Pinto beans, and Black Crowder peas)
• Garlic*
• Granola (Pecan Cushaw*)
• Okra*
• Peppers (Carmen*, cream bell, green bell, Jalapeno)
• Potatoes (Carola and Purple Majesty)
• Summer Squash (Cousa, Yellow Crookneck, Zucchini)
• Tomatoes (various)