Harvests

The chickens have definitely discovered the garden, which might test my willingness to “share.” Here they are roosting on top of the compost bin, where I think they’re finding a good supply of bugs. They are welcome to them! But they also love to be up on the raised beds. They haven’t done any real damage, just pecking at some leaves and taking out as much in the way of weeds and grass as anything. They keep moving.

There are also signs of deer in the beans, which are too high for rabbits. I over-plant around the edges for just this inevitability, and there will definitely be enough beans for everyone. I kind of like sharing, as the alternative seems to be poisons or other harsh deterrents. Of course, I’ve yet to suffer any devastating losses. I find moving a little fencing around the raised beds with the most vulnerable plants until they can ward off bunnies works best.

And the season is moving full speed ahead. Next week I’ll be able to pull a number of small carrots and also summer squash.

One of the things I planted late and for the first time was Orach. It’s a green with a spinach quality that can be used in salads or cooked or even stuffed when the leaves get large. It was grown by American settlers and doesn’t get bitter when it bolts.

Unfortunately, I interplanted it with the peas and then forgot it was there, so I think I “weeded” most of the green Orach. What stopped me was the burgundy variety, and then I was more careful. My initial impression is mixed– it’s stronger than spinach and though I think it will be good in a mix, it’s not something I’d eat by itself. I do like the idea of having it longer into the summer.

testing my patience…