Planting and Protecting

Farm News

As we make our way into planting our warmer summer crops like zucchini, yellow patty pan squash and multiple delicious varieties of cucumbers, the 80 degree days have given way to a little reprieve of sprinkles and lower temperatures, perfect for transplanting into black plastic.

We line our summer, heat-loving veggies with a thin layer of black plastic to help in achieving consistently warmer temperatures from day to night and to encourage water retention in the ground. We line the underside with drip tape to allow these quick growing plants an optimum lush and warm home. Every little bit helps to facilitate an ideal growing environment for a very short window to mature and thrive.

The idea is to plant and protect as the veggies have quite a rigorous onslaught of weeds, cucumber beetles, cooler nights, dry days − the list is endless. Each vegetable has its own unique formula. After 20 years of Northwest growing, we feel confident that being ahead is always the key to success. Our first flush of lettuces are unspoiled and developing wonderfully. The unfortunate piece is that the elk know this too and will start to explore exactly when their baby romaine is ready for munching.

Our next call to action, will be to put the “corral” up as we like to say. This is a wire fence with streamers and low-volt electricity that will surround all of the lettuces to keep the hungry elk out. It works wonders, and we like to move it around to most lettuce plantings throughout the summer as it seems our elk population is more residential than migratory. Elk adore potatoes as well and as we embark on planting several thousands of potatoes, we don’t need them to gobble up our Huckleberry Gold spuds! We will throw up the “corral” around the potatoes and hope for the same outcome. Planting and protecting – it’s our early June mantra!

Many thanks to the members who joined me on a beautiful sunny Saturday last Memorial Day weekend! It is always a pleasure to meet and hear your thoughts about veggies and farming and life. Hats off to those who journeyed all the way down to the spinach and radishes to take in the incredible cascade view and quiet breeze.

Don’t forget to find us on Instagram (@fullcirclefarms).