It's been a mighty weird year weatherwise, and no one sees that more than the farmer who grows our food. So I've been waiting with bated breath to hear from contributor Anthony Boutard of Ayers Creek Farm about just what a long, strange summer it's been.
Tito, I don't think we are in Oregon anymore. From a meteorological perspective, Gaston has fallen squarely into Kansas, it seems. A bit disorienting for the farmer and the cur.
Hot and humid, it is ideal corn, bean and small grain weather. The corn was nearly shoulder high and tasseling by the 4th, the beans are topping their poles and the barley is already harvested nearly a month before the Lammas. We even have a beautiful crop of soy growing, and the All Crop is ready to thresh the chickpeas in early August.
Parching the frikeh.
Alas, the flat plains of country's middle, its Corn Belt, are not known for their cherries and berries. The cherry crop was a complete bust, the plums will be on the shy side and we are already into Chester season. This more than two weeks earlier than normal, hardly an auspicious sign. But the expected cooling this week should help.
Hewing to the more hopeful side of the Kansas reference, the tomatoes are growing apace, along with the melons and squash. Grapes look promising as well, and we should have crab apple jelly this autumn.
And no twisters yet.
Summertime and the money is fleeing,
the beans are climbing and the corn is high,
your soils are fertilized and the crops good looking,
so hush patient farmer it will be okay.
One of these mornings, you are going to rise for market,
And your cash box will fill with coin, everyone will be happy,
But until that morning, there's so much to do,
As you are working your fields.
Read more about how Anthony produces his frikeh.
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