August is a time of transition on the farm, with summertime favorites still lingering and hints of fall making an appearance. All of the fields on the farm are busy right now. Some are yielding fruit. Others are being pulled into beds and being prepared for planting and others are nourishing little plants that will be harvested soon.
Heirloom and cherry tomatoes are still ripening on their vines and soaking up the late summer sun. Life on the farm now is seemingly all about tomatoes, and it seems impossible that there will ever be life without tomatoes, but every year, that day comes.
Cubanelle peppers are holding true to their name and are ripen to an array of fiery yellows, reds and oranges.
Just as the summer begins to hint at tones of fall, the Mission and Candystripe figs are ready to harvest. Their sweet flavor is as intense as the summer heat that they soaked up.
Mini watermelons, cantaloupe and honeydew are winding down, but you'll see there are still some waiting to make their way to your table.
Romanesco cauliflower, bok choy, colorful swiss chards and red and green kales are just getting their start and are growing quickly in this late summer sun.
Delicata squash, sugar pie pumpkins, acorn, spaghetti and butternut squashes are are well on their way! The sun still pours enough energy into the farm to make the afternoons hot and cause the crops to grow rapidly and put a consistent demand on the irrigation.
The cooler evenings however are helping our citrus crops. Green Satsuma mandarins won’t turn orange without the required chilling hours – fruit is funny like that. The sooner the summer yields to fall, the sooner our beloved Satsuma mandarins will be ready.
