Here at Oliview Farm, we see the Summer Solstice as midsummer, rather than the beginning of summer. This is more accurate per the weather and the solar year, but also just feels right with what is growing at the different times of year. Likewise, we see the Equinoxes as the height of spring and fall, respectively. I will see about getting Pedro to write more about that, as it's very interesting and not something I'm not as knowledgeable about.
In any case, it's midsummer here at Oliview Farm, and beautiful. We have dozens and dozens of zinnias in the garden this year, and were good at getting cosmos and Mexican torch sunflowers into the ground on time. Cucumbers and summer squash are already producing bushels of produce (just ask our CSA members), and the tomatoes have formed and should be getting red in the next week or two.
The zucchini, cucumbers, and zinnias are superstars this year!
The garden is getting to the point where it's very, very large... and Pedro is having a hard time getting to all of the beds in time for turning and planting, before it's too hot and dry. We've had some awesome help this year in the form of some new neighbors, and really need to start thinking about formalizing help on a seasonal basis, on an annual cycle.
We did have a new farmhand show up this year: Arthur just appeared on the farm a few weeks back, trotting out of the bramble behind Lux, our little boy (the other four cats are girls!). He's taken quite well to the farm: the chickens don't scare him, he's not afraid of sprinklers, he and Bucky are negotiating the porch, and he seems to be interested in ground squirrel patrol... that latter being an excellent quality in a cat out here at Oliview! We got him neutered right away, and I'm hoping that a lower testosterone level will help him in getting along with the ladies. HOWEVER, out existing cat herd is really not accepting him; if you have space for a loving, human-oriented cat partner in your life, please let us know!
Handsome Arthur! Dressed for a black-tie affair, and ready to snuggle whoever shows up next!
In other updates, we had a serious fire scare on June 24th, which has spurred us to move some lumber and trimmings piles away from the house. Sigh: opportunity out of crisis, like usual.
We hope that your summer is full of joyful discoveries and sights, and includes experiences that make you grow. Also, of course, we hope your summer is full of lots of veggies!
- Elizabeth
A little peak at our bed of zinnias: their gorgeous colours pop like balls of bubble gum, and it is a pleasure to cut bouquets for our CSA - my favourite job! In the background, the covered bed hosts basil, and there are tomato beds further back. to the top right are a few compost bins.