Sunday, May 27, 2012

High Summer is Here!

The calendar does not show Summer starting until June 21.    Everything is at least a month early this year, due to the persistent La Nina in the Pacific.    This one is the source of the very mild winter and drought conditions prevailing over Southwestern Iowa since early 2009.     At the farm, we have had 2 3/4 " of precipitation since the end of March.     That puts us clearly in drought.     The US Weather Bureau has called this one the second strongest since the Dust Bowl of the 1930's.     They pulled that article to be more upbeat before the election.    There is, after all, a slight difference between outright lying and being upbeat.     The net result is parched earth, abnormal watering efforts and change in crop plans.

At the farm, we have instituted water rationing, for the third summer season in 3 consecutive years.     We have to apply 1/2"/ day to the greens, 1/4"/day to the row crops and deny potatoes, sweet potatoes and tomatoes water, except once a week.     The salad greens beds planted in March and April are trying to bolt.    That means lots of seed for next year and a lot of seed saving work, planting more beds and not tilling until ready to plant.    We have even planted the Edamame soy beans using manual "no-till" into hairy vetch.     Alfalfa is blossoming and will seed out shortly.    This and the clover are recharging nitrogen to the soil on our farm.

Tomatoes are in the cages and growing fast, with lots of grass mulch.     There will be Celebrity, First Prize, Erly Girl, Black Krim, Green Zebra, Roma and Grape tomatoes.    Hot peppers go in on Memorial Day, to be followed by squash and more green beans.    

The "3 sisters"; corn, bean and squash are planted and growing well.     We are using 3 bush bean types, climbing Blue Lake and 2 other green climbers.    The squash will be yellow straight neck, zuchini and Giant
Banana.  

450 sweet potato starts are going in the ground on shaped beds today and tomorrow.    There will be the sweetest white: Bunch Porto Rico, the all time favorite down South: Beauregard, the big one: Georgia Jet, a tasty larger one: Centennial and the Midwest favorite: Vardamann.

So, get ready for some real good eating.     It's coming fast, despite the drought.

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