We have some good news to share before we even get to the market. After weeks of hot, dry weather, we got two summer storms this week that brought about an inch of rain to the farm. Our crops, and honestly our whole team, are feeling a whole lot better for it.
A New Arrival in the Field: Peanuts
With a little moisture back in the soil, today felt like the perfect day to get a legume in the ground, and this one has a bit of history behind it for us. This will be our third year growing peanuts, and it has been quite a journey.
Our first year we planted about 50 feet as an experiment and the harvest sold out within a week. Clearly we had stumbled onto something our customers were craving. Last year we got ambitious and doubled down to 100 feet, but the deer had other plans. They ate and dug up the plants constantly, and we ended up with basically zero harvest to show for it. This year we are going bigger and smarter: over 200 feet planted, with netting in place to keep the hungry critters out before they can do any damage.
The variety we have been growing is Tennessee Red Valencia, and we picked it for good reason. It is well suited to our Maryland climate, and it has a reputation for being especially sweet and flavorful, with papery red seed covers similar to Virginia or Spanish peanuts. Each pod typically holds two to five kernels, which means a little goes a long way once harvest time comes around. We are dreaming about organic raw peanuts by the basket full. We are expecting to harvest in late October, and after two years of building up to this, we have a feeling this season is going to be the one. Fingers crossed and netting secured.
Garden Tip: Watering Wisely in a Dry Spell
The recent rain was a welcome break, but the Eastern Shore has still been dealing with a stretch of hot, dry weather this season, and dry spells tend to come and go through the summer no matter where you live. A few simple habits go a long way when your garden needs extra care between rains.
Try to water early in the morning before 10am or in the evening after 4pm, so the moisture has time to soak in before the heat of the day takes over. When you water, give the soil around the base of each plant a deep, thorough drink rather than spraying the leaves, which the roots cannot use as well. Wondering if you have watered enough? Stick a finger into the soil. It should feel damp the entire length of your finger.
This Week’s Taco Special: Grilled Octopus Taco
Calling all octopus lovers, this one is for you! Tender octopus kissed by the grill for just the right char, served on warm corn tortillas and garnished with our pico de gallo. Delicately sweet, briny, and perfectly balanced, somewhere between scallop and crab. This is one of Chef Juan Carlos’s personal favorites and a special you do not want to miss. So make sure you don’t sleep in and set your alarm for an early wake call this Saturday!
Take-Home Frozen Meal: Achiote Chicken with Roasted Sweet Potatoes
This Saturday’s ready-to-heat frozen meal is a flavorful favorite: succulent chicken breast marinated with achiote, the same rich blend of spices we use on our grilled chicken tacos, served with a side of roasted sweet potatoes and a garnish of fresh pico de gallo. Pick it up at the booth, take it home, and heat it up whenever you are ready.
What’s in the Shop This Week
Our online shop is full right now with seedlings for every kind of gardener. A few worth a closer look: our basil selection includes three different varieties, perfect for anyone looking to fill out their herb garden or start planning ahead for homemade pesto. Our cotton seedlings are a fun and unique addition to any garden, producing a beautiful flower before forming the fluffy pale green cotton boll many people have never seen up close.
And for anyone hoping to grow their own sweet potatoes this season, our sweet potato slips are available now, but please note these must be pre-ordered in order for us to bring them to the market.
Order Online for Market Pickup
Browse the full selection at quarter-acre.com/shop and place your order by Thursday, June 25th at 8pm for Saturday pickup. Order ahead to guarantee your favorites.
We will see you Saturday, stay cool out there, and do not forget to grab a fresh-squeezed lemonade while you shop!