Heat in California continues to be the controlling factor for produce from the west coast. All field items are showing heat stress, breaking down the leaf cell walls. Those breakdowns turn into decay as we are seeing in iceberg lettuce, romaine, green leaf and green leaf filets and almost every other leaf item.
Strawberries are also suffering as they continue to try to harvest product, but just like in North Carolina, once the temps get above 75 to 80 degrees, quality really suffers. Shippers are doing the best they can as demand remains strong, but quality will only be so-so.
Local farmers are still bringing in a few items. We are still seeing yellow squash, zucchini and cucumbers in good supply. Local tomatoes are still coming in with strong quantities.
There are still scuppernongs and muscadines available under the farmer’s shed. We are glad to get those as you need them.
It’s time for pumpkins! We will be stocking up with the sizes you need.
Fall squash are plentiful and it’s a great time to add these to the menus. Current inventory includes: Acorn, Butternut, Delicata and Spaghetti.
What’s New at Ford’s?
We are looking forward to harvesting our own heirloom tomatoes before too long in our Aquaponic green house. They are growing great and looking tasty!
This organic growing technique of using fish as the supplier for the nutrients is new to the area and we are still learning what there is to know. But this is an exciting long-term project for us and a few kinks to be overcome is to be expected. That said, we can’t wait!
And for those from ECU:
How much does a pirate pay for corn?
A Buccaneer!!
