June 18, 2023
Summer Arrives After Some Much Needed Rain
by Farmer Derek

Last week's rainfall quenched our collective thirst. I speak for the farmers and the crops. You probably wouldn't even be able to perceive the almost 2" of rain that fell across five days as everything slurped it up immediately, except for the small puddle that remains on the bottom of the lowest pond (glorified bird bath). It had been 6 weeks since the last soaking event and we're so thankful for the satisfying amount. Even the way it fell was just about perfect; we didn't experience any heavy thunderstorms and no erosion occurred.

The timing of the rain events was pretty good too. Based on Friday's original forecast we had expected to receive an additional inch or more of heavy rain but we got lucky I guess and only received .4" and by Monday morning we'll be rolling right along. Anticipating a deluge, I finalized 3,500 feet of beds for the 7,000 strawberry plants for a 2024 harvest that are slated to arrive the final week of June. This is probably the farthest in advance I've ever been able to have future strawberry beds wrapped up, and it feels good to have that done for another year.

Speaking of strawberries, the 2023 harvest is just about over. Peas are peaking, and while not quite as exciting as strawberries, fresh spring peas are a delicacy. Eating seasonally and locally provides waves of ephemeral treats that we can eat our fill of for a few weeks until we're fully satisfied with the immersion. Then an 11-month break ensues while we recover the desire to consume the special food again. Some produce we eat all year, like lettuce and other greens, as background nourishment, but others come and go only once on our trip around the sun.