THE SLOW FOOD MOVEMENT is based on a fallacy—that farming happens slowly.  Sure, there are months of waiting for the crops, when you don’t know whether to scratch your watch or wind your butt.  Then… Bam!  You gotta lotta food and only a few days to move it.  Happens real fast.

That’s what will happen with U-pick tomatoes.  They’re not ready yet.  Looks like a beautiful crop and the plants are healthy.  The tomatoes are firm but mostly green—taking their sweet time.  Our Tomato Whisperer, Allie, saw a good sign last night.  A conclave at Stumphenge.  Maybe the day is coming.  Another week?

Eggder R. Furrow is on the scene.  You might remember Eggder from his rock-n-roll years, when he was the hero of Veggiestock.  He has since put away childish things and made a name for himself as a field reporter.  Stay tuned for his exclusive on the tomatoes in next week’s crop alert.

WHAT’S PICKING NOW?

It is pecking season—peach pecking.  You all did a wonderful job last weekend.  Most of you got an ‘A’ for following the peach picking tutorial.  Some of you have asked about Red Haven peaches. They should be ready next week, a few days after our original August 10 projection.  If you are a Red Haven fetishist, you can call the stand at (607) 227-8248 to stay on top of the game.  But lots of peaches now!

It is time to pick Ezmerelda.  She is a gnarled old gal in the morning mist—and her apples are a mystery.  We don’t know what kind they are.  First reds of the year.

You will find her in the Vintage Orchard.  We will pick the high apples and leave the low ones for you.  Don’t miss this delicious enigma.  There is only one tree.

Steps from Ezmerelda, you’ll get easy picking in the Pristine block.  A true apple lover tries all kinds.  The Dwarf Orchard gives you 60 varieties of adventure.

The Pristines are at the very western end of Row 7.  Go into the Pristines with an open mind about apple sweetness—these early fruits have an invigorating tartness.

Rounding out the week’s apples are Yellow Transparents.  We picked the trees pretty clean, but you can get a half-bushel for $10 at the stand!  Sauce time.

And we’re using these first apples to make Orchard Ambrosia—first cider of the year!  Cold-pressed at Indian Creek.  Nothing but fruit.  Ready Saturday afternoon.

FOODSTUFFS @ FARMSTAND.

Gorgeous food at the stand these days.  August is high time.  Peaches, apples, plums, blueberries, apricots, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, corn, squash, taters…

Here it is from the other side…

And looking down…

And zoomed in close!  Come pick.  Fill in the gaps with “stuff at the stand.”

PHOTOFARMIC MOMENTS.

There were candles hanging in the trees.

Guitars on the stumps.

The Big Big Table was set.

Party favors were planted.

The food was piled high.

And Josh and Liz were married!

Congratulations to Liz, Josh, and their families.  Thanks for using the ‘Henge.

FUNNY OLD WORLD.

Thanks to the anonymous customer who left us the weird and wonderful eggplant specimen that became Eggder R. Furrow.  You left it at the stand, saying it was for a crop alert.  Sweet!  You know who you are, but we don’t!

Well, that’s a wrap.  It’s a funny old world we live in, where apples are ready before tomatoes.  Where slow food is fast, and fast food slows you down.  But what are you gonna do?  Cry about it?  Nothing like a good cry to irrigate your shirt.  Maybe if we all have a cry-in, the tomatoes will “get a move on.”  That’s farmese for giddyup.  Giddyup, Jasper.  Get a move on, boy.   Hope to see you at The ‘Creek.