The sun is shining, it’s finally summer, what’s not to love?  It’s a good week.

Although some ground is still puddled with stagnant water, the excessive rain that we’ve endured since April is drying up, leaving soil cracked and hard, but nonetheless dry.  We’re grateful.  In every growing season, there’s good and less good. The heavy rains and cool spring this year provided a great asparagus crop; we’re seeing few pests so far in the potatoes, cabbage and brassicas; the onions, rhubarb, and peas are growing well, strawberries liked the chill weather, and so far, tomatoes are looking pretty good.

Our sorghum crop was planted on June 6 – we had a few days of no rain and were able to get it in the ground and it’s growing well.  We rotate crops – one of the plots planted to sorghum last year is full of bell peppers and squash this season.  Last year was tough for all our peppers and our squash was destroyed early by insects,  so we’ll be watching carefully to see if a new neighborhood is good for growth.

Crusty Italian bread, fresh from the oven.

Old Loon Farm’s store is open on Fridays only this season, and that seems to be working well for us and for the neighbors that stop in to buy eggs, frozen chicken, jams, fresh breads, cakes, syrups and whatever is seasonally ready from the garden.  Last month it was asparagus, strawberries and lettuce; this month garden peas, Swiss chard, salad greens, celery, rhubarb and various other vegetables are fresh and tasty.  Seasonal is the way to eat!

Also this week on Old Loon Farm we start to welcome kids, grand kids and other relatives and friends. It’s a joy to have a full house and activities in the yard and on the lake.  It’s a good week!