Record rain, tomatoes and watermelon

It’s still raining some every day. Today’s news was that we are approaching a record for consecutive days of rain. When looking around the farm. I’m seeing standing water in places I’ve never seen puddles before. One corner of the apple orchard has been under water for a week or so. I’m concerned about those apples as well as some of the other plantings. One end of the garlic rows has standing water between the raised beds. I’m hoping the raised beds are tall enough to keep the garlic from rotting in the ground.

Rob has been working on the spader. Two of the bearings need work. He has been on a hunt for a 2 3/16 inch wrench.

I’m headed out tomorrow to Austin, Texas for the NAFDMA meeting. Thursday is a workshop on selling at farmers’ markets. The main meeting is Friday & Saturday. I’ll be getting back to the airport at about 11 pm Saturday. If I can get online, I’m hoping to post something each day or so.

Unfortunately, I’ll be missing the February Agriculture Commission meeting this Thursday. The agenda includes reviewing the county’s new Rural Economic Agenda and working on setting priorities and schedules for the 2006 commission year.

With the dreary weather, we need some reminders of the summer. Photographs such as this one help bring back the feel of summer and give us something to anticipate.

Sun Sugar cherry tomato. Sun Sugar and its sister Sun Gold are the sweetest and best cherry tomatoes. Sun Sugar has a bit thicker skin, so it doesn’t split as readily as does Sun Gold. Folks are used to the red cherry tomato varieties, but the tasted of a single apricot-colored Sun Sugar or Sun Gold tomato converts most.

When we are particularly feeling the winter doldrums, we pull out some of the watermelon we have frozen away. Just a quick whir in the blender and we have watermelon juice, one highlight of summer that we can continue to enjoy as long as our freezer stock holds out.

What’s playing in the Jeep CD player today? Meridian Arts Ensemble – Smart Went Crazy