Summer in Granite Falls

During the busiest time of year, normal tasks kind of fall by the wayside. Our daily jobs now consist of getting up at dawn, heading out to water gardens and flower beds, weed while watering, pick what needs picking, and then cook or preserve what we picked.

Garlic is harvested and drying to get ready for braiding. We use a lot of garlic, and give away a lot too. Such an amazing plant - anti-inflammatory and much used as a spice. I make my go-to winter cold and flu preventative by peeling a jar full of cloves, pouring honey over, and let them work together. At the first sign of cold symptoms, a spoonful normally sends the germs packing. 

Beets on the hugelkulture mound are about golf ball size now, and we're enjoying them nearly every day. The huge squash plant behind the beets is just now beginning to flower and set squash.

Another truckload of mulch is making its way into the gardens and orchard and flower beds. The carport behind that is full of all the trees that fell during the bomb cyclone. Ron has chopped and stacked about 15 cords of wood in the past few months.

Flowers everywhere are keeping the bees busy. Dahlias and gladiolas are just now beginning to bloom. 

My sister, Mona, and I discovered that the blackberries are already starting, so we picked a bowlful while we visited yesterday.

Within the next week, pickle season will be in full swing, as I noticed many tiny cucumbers yesterday when I watered. Beans, beets, carrots, potatoes, and zucchini are on the table every day.

This little farm keeps us busy and active, and at the end of each day, I swim halfway down the lake and back to cool off. Life is good and I love summer!