Our normal expectation about the end of the summer is a bunch of fired up tomatoes, squash consumed by squash bugs and squash vine borers, and a resolve to get the beds cleaned out so we can plant for fall. This year, we’re getting a surprising – and gratifying – spurt of production.
The mid-summer rains certainly helped; they kept our garden moist and verdant during the “okra doldrums” that usually set in by mid-July. We think the other factor that helped us this year is that the Farmer-in-Chief was more intentional than usual about mid-summer planting. We’re enjoying the results of her efforts with fresh rounds of edamame, tomatoes, beans, corn, squash, and peas. And as we have come to expect every year, the okra and sweet potatoes have come on magnificently here at the end of the summer. Out in the orchard, we’re getting our best production ever from the Asian persimmons and our best production by far from the muscadines.
Listen – 15:30
Amanda planted this edamame in July, and it’s just about ready to harvest. We love it cooked just a little in the microwave with no seasoning. Predictably, the late summer insects are feasting on the leaves, but not before they had time to fatten up the pods nicely. Behind her is Bed #7 where the tender collards are growing under insect barrier.