Skink

In case anyone wants to know.....

Leeks
Europe's classic fall favorite is being enjoyed more and more in America. Remarkable earliness and length. Beautiful, full-sized leeks. In favorable soil and culture, the white stems are over a foot long to the 1st leaf. Not hardy for over-wintering, but hardy to 30 degrees F - 20 degrees F befor losing healthy appearance.

Shallots
Considering their elegant European lineage, shallots are remarkably easy to grow. Essential in French cooking, with a flavor described by some as in between onions and garlic. For soups, salad dressings, vegetable dishes, and casseroles. Bright copper skins with pale yellow interior. Suitable for very long storage, through Spring.

Table Ace Acorn
Cucurbita pepo
85 days
This winter squash is dark black-green colored. The taste is fairy good, nutty and moderately sweet if allowed to fully mature. The fruits are medium-small sized, 2 1/2 lbs; each plant will produce 5 - 7 fruits.

Delicata
Cucurbita pepo
100 days
Unique, cream colored winter squash with green longitudinal stripes. Small fruits, 7" - 9" long x 3 " wide, about 1 - 1 1/2 lbs. Taste is very sweet, excellent for stuffing and baking even right after harvest requires no curring. Yield 5 - 7 fruits per plant.

Rouge vif D'Etampes
Cucurbita maxima
115 days
The bright scarlet French pumpkin."Rouge vif" means "vivid red." This is an attractive French variety, actually a squash, for fall display. Shaped flat, looking like a red cheese wheel, the fruits average in the 10-15 lb. range. The moderately sweet, orange flesh is suited for pumpkin or squash pie. Also known as Cinderella. Avg. yield: 2 fruits/plant.

Don't rain on my parade

I mentioned in a previous post that the clown car and I would be in the summer parade. Sadness... I shall be gone that weekend.

But, there is always the Christmas Lighted parade!

"He's out of his gourd"

I've added some more strange veggies to my garden.

*Delicata Honeyboat winter squash
*Rouge Vif D'Etampes, aka Cinderella, pumpkin
*Table Ace Acorn squash

The delicata is a white oblong squash with green and yellow stripes. The Cinderella is a story-book shaped, bright orange pumpkin. The acorn is a dark green squash.

All are edible, but I'm growing them to be my decorations at the Harvest Ball.

~Stay tuned for info on the Harvest Ball.

Sunday

I took him to see where I work. We wandered slowly through the yard of trees and shrubs, and passed the tables of annual flowers and the perennial benches. I describe the difference between the working greenhouses, our saleshouse, and the cold frames. He told me a story of when he was little and he overheard his mother and aunt talking about a greenhouse. He said that he envisioned a house in the color green. He was interested in my work and asked questions about this or that plant that we passed. A plant with purple-blue flowers and yellow leaves caught his eye. I laughed inside myself because the plan was named "Sweet Kate". He said it was a lovely name for such a lovely plant.

Don't we like surprises?

This afternoon went by quickly. I had something to look forward to in the evening and though the day was somewhat slow, I was content to wait.
In the last hour of the day I was sent to water one of the greenhouses. We have three greenhouse on the property - only one is "open" to the customers. The other two are "working" greenhouses. I headed up to the farthest one and set to work screwing on the water wand and untangling the hoses. Once I was set up, I went on autopilot; watering doesn't take much thought.
I finished watering the outside tables and got started on the inside of the greenhouse. I was still on autopilot. More often than not, I sing to myself or even talk to myself (how embaressing). It's generally safe; customers don't come up there and I can usually hear people walking up to the door. Today, however, I never heard him coming.
Suddenly a voice came up from behind me, "Is this where the leeks and shallots are?"
I was shocked at the sound of a man's voice, and nearly scared out of my wits, but I turned around thinking I was some what composed. But when I saw who it was I'm sure I came unglued!
A friend had stopped by to see me at work. I kept saying, "What are you doing here?" (How rude of me.) We chatted for a minute, just long enough for me to regain my balance, then he left and I finished watering. He waited for me to finish working and then he drove me to town.
We met up with the fam for dinner and watched Ocean's 13. It was a fun evening.
And I like suprises. :-)