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Day 89

This morning was our last Sunday morning harvest.  A little sad, but not so much when you consider all the people who showed up and also how much we harvested.  Today we picked more food than ever, and it was truly a celebration of the ability of the land to produce for us with a little care and fostering.

The bounty was immense and included beans, squash, tomatoes, beets, kale, swiss chard, lettuce, spinach, cucumbers, and probably a couple other delights I am forgetting.  The Sunday harvests before breakfast have been tremendous fun, and many different people have had the opportunity to come and enjoy and learn in the garden during these days.  I want to thank everyone for all the help.  I couldn't have done it without you!!!

Day 85

Harvest morning!  People are definitely busy these days with classes, but the garden was still able to draw Sophie out bright and early for some wonderful weather harvesting.  We picked beans, kale, swiss chard, basil, squash, tomatoes and cucumbers.  It always seems to work out that two people can harvest exactly how much they can carry down to the dining hall in an hour.  Today was no exception, though I will admit both my hands were full and aching by the time we made it down to the dining hall steps!

Day 82

A tremendous day for food and preservation!  This morning we harvested many a delicious vegetable, and just hours later we met in the kitchen to preserve those same veggies until the cold winter months.  With the help of former associate director Mark Paddock, we pickled and canned a plethora of dilly beans, hot peppers, and beets!  Mark was a good teacher and we all learned valuable canning techniques, and all the hands made quick work of all the preparation and cleanup. 

It is easy to take for granted all the fresh produce when it is in such abundance.  With a little foresight to the future, we can provide for ourselves a taste of summer even in the cold winter months.  All it takes is a little preparation and some vinegar!

Day 79

At some point I will have to see how many of these early morning garden harvest parties we have had.  It seems like a bunch, and each one has been super duper fun!  Today was no exception, and with a small group we harvested big produce.  Peppers, beets, turnips, lots o' tomatoes, some huge zucchinis, cucumbers, kale, and swiss chard were the bounty.  On Sunday we will be pickling and canning things from the garden, so the beans and root veggies and cucumbers are all being saved in the fridge until then.  Looks like we will have a good amount to play with, so hopefully we'll have a good turnout of people eager to preserve!

Day 75

Harvest day!  We had a great variety this morning, and everything seems to finally be coming ripe.  Lots of delicious greens, kale, beans, squash, cucumbers, beets, swiss chard, and tomatoes.  We even cut two beautiful sunflowers to bring down to the dining hall.  It's amazing what just a few people can harvest in an hour, and amazing how much fun harvesting can be with friends

Day 73

Potato flower