I’d post a photo but since I picked my first yellow cherry Galina yesterday and popped it right into my mouth, well, that would be impossible. I’m thrilled with my tomatoes this year, something I didn’t think would be the case since I couldn’t even get them in the ground until June 17, which is 2-3 weeks late. But the new bed along the fence, combined with the alarming-but-effective pruning of all side suckers, has me looking at a bumper crop of tomatoes. The early bush ones are starting to pink up — the Sasha’s Altai and Prairie Fire — small round tomatoes that grow on low bushy plants. I’m really tickled about the whole thing …
The rest of the garden is in sort of a transitional period. I had to pull a lot of overgrown greens, so when the Mighty Hunter showed up looking for “something green for dinner” I had to send him home with some of the monstrous Gallego kale — all the more tender things have been pulled up. The favas did okay — I got about a cup of favas once all was said and done — I might get another batch, we’ll just have to see — it’s gotten so hot that they’re starting to shrivel up. The beans have finally taken off — Nothing to harvest yet, but the vines are looking good considering their late start.
The season is starting to turn though — all summer we’ve been getting up about 5:30 in order to get stuff done in the morning before work — a little internet goofing off, breakfast, a long walk with Raymond, watering the garden — and the last week or so, it’s not really light at 5:30 any more. It’s making it harder to get up, and really, it’s been more like 6:00 the past few mornings.
And sorry for the spotty blogging — there’s a lot going on around here — some family obligations that are burning up time and energy, work is crazy, and a few other things — plus, it’s summer. All I want to do is GO OUTSIDE. Because as the light in my bedroom window is indicating — winter will come again, bringing it’s own pleasures, but those pleasures do not include living outside as much as possible.
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Thanks again for the garden update–I love hearing what’s going on out there. (That said, I fully support your impulse to spend as much time outside as possible. I live in Minnesota, and have the same feeling that summer is drawing to a close much too quickly.)
At your recommendation I have been reading Paula Wolfert’s Med. Grains & Greens, getting informed & inspired to eat more greens.
As I’ve said before, thank you so much for continuing to write such thoughtful posts about writing, gardening, and living. Your blog a quietly substantial voice.