Updated on August 19, 2022 by Ruth
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August 2 is the mid-point between the beginning of summer and the beginning of fall. Already, the weather starts to shift just a little. By the middle of the month, the nights are usually cooler, and sunset comes a little sooner than we expect.
However, the plants keep on growing and there is an abundance of food to harvest. But even while the glory of peaches is here, the first of the apples appear. We are still cutting squash and picking beans, and the first acorn and butternut squashes are ready. Ready or not, fall is coming.
All things summer are happening in August—peaches, corn, tomatoes, melons, beans, squash. The crush of summer and fall continues through most of September as well. The weather is perfect for a lot of different crops. Isn’t that great? We can eat superbly very easily this month.
If you want to freeze or can peaches, August is the time! The flavor is the best in the first two weeks of the month, so keep moving.
This is the month we race to plant for fall and winter crops. The shorter daylight hours mean that plants do not grow as quickly. It’s important to get the crops that take a little longer in the ground so that they have extra time to get to full size.
Our new tunnel has lots of compost from our compost pile dumped in and smoothed out. We have been saving compost all year just to add to this house. The bed is getting prepared and plants are going in this week!
In case we were not paying attention to the weather, the animals remind us. The barn swallows leave us for South America on August 22. The swallows are terrific at insect control, and we miss them when they are gone. George, the peacock, starts shedding his tail feathers this month. He looks a bit raggedy by the end of the month, and we have a new collection of feathers in the farm market.
The cut flower garden is spectacular, and the dahlias are in full swing to dazzle us. When you need a bouquet for a friend or for yourself, look for our fresh cut flowers. No pesticides on the flowers!
By the end of August, we have nearly one hour less of sunlight than we did at the beginning. Fewer daylight hours means we need to be more clever than usual to keep the harvests coming all fall and winter. If we don’t plant now, if affects December and January harvests.
Here is my favorite sorbet recipe—cuppa, cuppa, cuppa!
1 cup fruit – mash or puree or leave chunks, as desired
1 cup sugar (adjust for preference)
1 cup water
Combine in a sauce pan, bring to a slow boil, then cool. Put in containers and freeze. If you use less sugar, you may need to simmer the mixture for 15-20 minutes so that it will thicken. Enjoy!
Come see us in the farm market to eat fresh, eat local, eat well! Growing beyond expectations since 1832.
Follow us on Facebook @highlandorchards and Instagram @highland_orchards for behind-the-scenes views, tips, and news of what we are doing. Find us at www.highlandorchardsfarmmarket.com. Feel free to email with questions or comments to [email protected].
