In the Share - Week 13

TOMATOES (F/P) The heat is ripening them fast right now and the dry weather is concentrating their flavor.

POTATOES (F/P) Mainly Kennebec but we'll be filling in with some Desiree. The links take you to our supplier of potato seed.

WALLA WALLA ONIONS (F/P) Not many more sweeties, but we think enough for everyone this week.

SALSA PACK (F) Last year's survey prompted us to grow more salsa fixins and they just keep on coming.

HOT PEPPERS OR EGGPLANT (F) See Tom's post for more info on the different types of hot peppers that we grow.

CUCUMBERS AND SWEET PEPPERS (F) One of each

SUMMER SQUASH (F) More sweet little pattypans

RATTLESNAKE POLE BEANS (F/P) Our favorite beans, so tender and with real bean flavor.

CANTALOUPE (P) Keep these out of your fridge until completely ripe and sweet. The cantaloupe go to the partial shares in KC this week, since they didn't receive any last week. Partial shares on Saturday will get salsa packs instead.

HERB CHOICE (F/P) Basil, Summer savory, Garlic chives or a dried herb.

ALSO THIS WEEK: Bread of Life Bakery shares

NEXT WEEK: More tomatoes, summer squash, beans, eggplant, peppers and salsa. Perhaps the first watermelons. More carrots and garlic.

We know what you are all wondering. Yes, it is hot even for us seasoned, acclimated-to-the-outdoors farmers. The good news is the crops so far seem to be taking it in stride more than the humans who are tending them. It helps that we have a big pond of irrigation water and that most of our summer crops have either a thick layer of mulch or have a vining habit that creates it's own shade. Our biggest challenge is caring for the newly-planted fall crops. Yesterday I cultivated our baby fall cauliflower, brussel sprouts and broccoli with our electric Allis Chalmers G.

While the tractor gets alot of the weeds, we still need to come through with hoes for the weeds in row and any others that survived. That took the rest of the afternoon, but by the end they were weed-free and getting a good dose of water.

Harvesting takes up the majority of our time at the moment. It is a pretty enjoyable task, especially when the crop is good. And when you have a great crew to help.

Here are the Saturday bean pickers after a hot slog through 400 ft. of pole beans ... and still smiling.

Harvesting requires close inspection of each plant and often leads to discoveries beyond the crop itself. As with this perfect little bird nest amongst the drying tomatoes.

(yes, we grow tomatoes suited for dehydrating. Check the bulk list for more info.)

Harvesting also rewards us with big dose of all natural color therapy. Working our way through the squash patch we are cheered by their many sunny flowers.

And there's one of "our" honeybees working to feed her community and also increasing our crops in the process. Thank you honeybees!