RicelandMeadows

Green tomatoes 2011

July 21, 2011

 

     It was HOT today. We spent it baling straw and some very nice hay that has a little straw in it. Of course our small baler gave me fits again, so we round baled it all in 4×4 bales at about 500# each. We got 38 of them. It was the hottest day in 16 years , so the weatherman says.

 

     Funny how the hay is always ready in the hottest part of the day. The sun beats down and dries man , beast and the curing hay. Our only saving grace today was a nice breeze that cooled everything off to what felt like 90 or so. The thermometer read 97 with high humidity and in five more months it will likely be below zero… Ahhh , northeast Ohio 😮

 

     Our garden is looking better. The plants all would like some rain. I may have to start watering if we don’t get some relief soon. The hay and straw are all done, grain is in the bin and pastures have been mowed. The needed rain will be welcomed when it comes.

 

     Tomatoes are beginning to grow on the vines. The plants were mulched with straw to help keep the soil moist. The moisture keeps nutrients moving up the plants. The much-needed calcium makes everything else available to the growing and ripening fruit. The lack of calcium causes blossom end rot where a perfectly formed tomato has a rotted bottom on it… all for the lack of calcium caused by the lack of moisture. The straw is an easy fix that also helps smother weeds.

 

     Our vine crops of squash and pumpkins are starting to spread out and set fruit as well. This is later than usual , but a welcome sight none the less. The sweet corn is waist-high and doing well, but curled up some, wanting water by the end of the day.

 

     Today, my boys and I were also wanting water by the end of the day. It seemed that no matter how much you drank, the thirst stayed present. You southwestern and Florida folks can have this weather. I will take our breezy 70’s with the occasional 80 anytime. This 90 plus stuff is for lizards, snakes and cold-blooded humans I guess.

 

     The horses got the day off today, but will start hauling compost tomorrow. The fields need it where we just took the straw off. The black gold will give the new hay crop a great start. The manure applied this way has helped our harvest turn to abundance. The proof is in the pudding they say. I sure can see the difference here!

 

     As far as gardening in the heat goes, it can be said that we plowed into our work. We went down the rows of hay. We planted our feet and got the job done. I raised a little cane, got beat red, hoed my way through the job, watered myself and helpers … but when it was time to lettuce, turnip and pea… We needed more Gatorade … I know…  corny huh? 😮