It began on Friday. I had avoided the garden for two weeks. Physically, mentally, emotionally and any other “ally” you can think of, I was done with the garden. It was an underlying stress though. In the middle of that time period I had a dream about a zucchini in the garden that was as long as my bed. The second week I was actually afraid to go out to the garden.
But, on Friday afternoon we all hit the garden. We harvested almost all of the Winter Luxury Pumpkins (98 lbs), Sweet Dumpling squash (57 lbs), Delecata squash (22 lbs) and Sweet Meat squash (60 lbs). Joshua tackled the zucchini for me. They might not have been as long as my bed but they were large. We also harvested our last couple of Honeydew melons and Watermelons.
I don’t think I took any pictures of our Cantaloupe. We were just so excited to eat it that we forgot to take pictures of the harvest. I think we had nine cantaloupe and ten honeydew. We had about 12 watermelon. We have a lot to learn about melons. We followed the clues about when to harvest and waited a really long time for our first watermelon. Here is Joshua with it. The taste was wonderful, but the texture was a bit mealy. I think we could have picked it sooner. The Cantaloupe was easiest to figure out. Just get on your hands and knees and smell it. We waited too long on the Honeydew as well, there were a few that were overripe.
We harvested half of the potatoes. These were the fingerling potatoes. The boys were cracking up at how funny they looked. We had some with dinner that night and then left everything out to dry/harden.
You have probably heard of “Farm to Table”. Well, here on our farm, my boys take a shorter route. For my boys, it is farm to mouth.
That was Friday. On Saturday, I picked some apples to bake with, while Michael and the boys split wood. You might think I had the easier job, but wait until you see the machine they used.
Our neighbor, Nick, owns a wood splitter. He is always willing to let us use his stuff. He has a lot of stuff. Michael and the boys “water logged” trees out of the creek , as well as harvesting a very large Maple tree that had fallen down during a wind storm in the spring. The wood had been out all summer drying. Saturday they split all of it.
They got almost all of the wood done in one day.
Nicholas loved the quad that Nick has his wood splitter hooked up to. He is already trying to figure out how to save his money and buy one.
I made two different muffins (14 each) with apples in them. I also made a quick bread called “Apple Pie Bread”. They were good. Nothing to write home about. Everyone liked them and it is a way to use up some apples and store them in the freezer.
Sunday after church we tackled the orchard. We divided the apples into three groups: one to eat and bake, another for cider making, and the last for the geese. I think we have about 20 apple trees. Six of those are Red Delicious. We are not big fans of Red Delicious apples. When right off the tree they are crisp but they go soft quickly. I personally prefer a crisp tart apple. We included some of the Red Delicious in the “eating” category but for the most part they all went into the cider making group. Some day we hope to graft into the root stock of the Red Delicious apple varieties that we love.
All in all it took us about three hours. We hauled in 144 pounds of apples. Probably another 50 pounds went to the geese (stuff that had already dropped onto the ground, or we dropped on the ground for them)
After that, Michael and the boys finished the last of the wood splitting.
I can’t tell you how great it feels to be practically done with harvest. I’m ready for the short days of winter. With all of that wood split it will be a nice, toasty warm winter. (Did you know we had a new furnace installed a couple of weeks ago? It is gas and it is the correct size for the house)
Enjoy Fall, it is a lovely time of the year,
Karen
Ha ha! Farm to mouth. Perfect. Your boys are getting a real education at the farm. Loved seeing all the lovely produce. I know it is keeping you very busy harvesting, eating and putting it up. I love seeing them enjoying everything so much. That is real living. Your watermelons are gorgeous Karen! Would have loved to sample some of this harvest bounty!!!
I would have loved to have been able to share with you. We give away what we can. Most of my friends are still in Portland and that is a bit of a drive even if it is free stuff.
So many people where we live now have their own gardens. Hopefully over the winter I can look into finding out if there are any “food banks” that might benefit from our excess.
Yes, the boys are learning a lot and loving “farm life”. Getting stronger too. All that wood splitting and all three of my guys are sore.
Take care,
Karen
Love reading your blog. I especially enjoy the pictures…..wish you were in more of them!
Thanx! I prefer to be behind the camera 🙂
hugs,
Karen
Fall is my FAVORITE time of the year too. And I love to garden, but the hardest part to me is the harvesting. You’re just so ready for it to be done. Then finding the recipes to cook it all. And to find different things to eat. It can be a challenge. A fun challenge, but a challenge none the less. Ahhh, to have cider!
I completely agree with you. I feel like by the time (August) everything is in full production, I’m done. But I can’t be. We have to do something with it so it doesn’t go to waste.
I’m grateful we have animals to give some of it to.
Yes, cider is good an FAST!
Have a great day,
Karen
Your harvest is impressive! You’ve got so much healthful food to last you till next summer or fall. Good job everyone!
I can imagine how relieved you feel having harvested your produce. Are you going to do some canning next? Will you be making apple butter?
What a wonderful and rewarding weekend you all had! Hope to see some baking and canning recipes to follow up 🙂
Congratulations!
Kimberly
Not being a fan of apple pie or apple butter, there isn’t much I do can with apples.
I’ve already dried a bunch. We love apple crisp so I have sliced them and put them in bags in the freezer. (seriously running out of freezer space)
I made three new recipes with apples (2 muffins 1 quick bread) and they were fine. Nothing to write home about.
My next preserving project will be the Winter Luxury Pumpkins. I will bake them and portion it out into sizes appropriate for pies.
They will not last until Thanksgiving so I’ll prep them ahead. They make the BEST pumpkin pie (which we love)
I’m probably going to post more recipes than I usually do since things are slowing down (hopefully).
Take care,
Karen
Loved watching the boys eating the fruit from the garden. Reminds me when my pop had a huge garden in Clements. We got so we’d eat the heart of the watermelon, and the dog got the rest! FINALLY, someone else who is not a fan of apple pie or apple butter. I am made to feel like a pariah when I divulge that information. Nothing like fresh apples, (goat) cheese, and crackers for me. Enjoy the fruits of your labor. Love to all.
Yes, I feel so un-American when I say I don’t like apple pie or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
So, you like goat cheese…..hmmm. I’ll have to figure out how to get you some of our homemade goat cheese. It is a hit with everyone who tries it.
Dave can have his pickles and you get the goat cheese.
Yes, ever since they were little, be it berries or tomatoes, the boys would “snack” from the garden. It’s a good thing.
Have a great week,
Hugs,
Karen
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