There’s nothing like harvesting that brings around a full sense of accomplishment in the garden. Although we’ve always fed ourselves a meal at a time…this year is much different. Harvesting is much more than a little bit here and a little bit there when we are ready for it. This year we harvest when the crops are ready for us, whether we are ready for them or not. Ten, twenty, thirty pounds easy of greens. Lacinato kale, rainbow swiss chard, spinach, and two different lettuce mix varieties coming out of our ears. We’ve got lots to sell this week at the farm stand. Everything organic. Everything grown with love. Everything brimming with real food beauty.
Today is going to be hot. Yesterday was hot. So getting out early in the morning or waiting till evening to harvest is key right now for these fresh greens. After they come in they get a bath. We fill up the sink with cold cold water and let them soak in there for about 30 minutes. Our goal is to keep them fresh for as long as possible. Then we let them briefly drain on a towel and then it gets bagged up and put in the refrigerator.
It’s amazing how much can be produced out of a very small space. Kind of magical actually. Kinda like having a baby…all squished up in there. And for all of you asking for a picture of my belly…here you go. I’m usually the one taking the pictures, but I managed a way to get a picture of me thanks to our mirror. I feel huge, but still have two months to go! By then someone may have to just roll me around.
Lisa, do you ever let people stop in to talk and learn from you? I live in central PA and would love to visit some weekend. This has been my dream forever. Even though I am older, I still have a lot I want to do. Love the rabbit for quick fertalizer, I didn’t know that. Going to ‘Mother Earth New Fair’ in September to learn more. Thanks. Mary
a trash bag full of lettuces? That would be a dream come true for me. And that belly picture, with an armload of greens is pure joy.
Yay, Mama!
You look great, big belly and all. And that swiss chard and kale and spinach. Wonderful!
Love your photos of the garden. Everything looks so good.
Your tummy looks beautiful Lisa. It’s funny, I felt uncomfortable being pregnant, but I think other pregnant women look gorgeous. Take care. xxoo
Good job you guys!
Love seeing your belly too.
love the last photo
All of that produce reminds me of my dad’s garden growing up. My garden is on the very small side but you gotta start somewhere right?
Absolutely! Somewhere is better than nowhere! We thoroughly enjoyed our small gardens for many many years!
Thank you for the last photo! <3
I think I'll just edge my new veggie garden with wood like you did. My problem is that we have a lot of cats in our neighborhood and they poop all over my gardens. Any thoughts on how to keep them out? I can't put up a "real" fence.
We have two outdoor cats.. who do not bother the garden at all. There’s also a stray from the barn across the road…but no worries there either. I would just google organic ways to keep out cats. They have nifty tips to ward off everything else. I’m sure someone has some helpful advice.
You inspire me to look even more into what we can do with our little space. We haven’t planted greens yet this year and it may be a bit late to do so, but I just might have to see about getting some already started plants and seeing what happens. I’m so happy for you and your family and that you were able to make such a switch in your lives and that it is going so well for you all. What a wonderful thing to bring the little new one into as well.
Never too late! Plant them for the fall/overwintering. Look up your zone. We are planting greens in mid July for fall harvest and mid August for very early spring harvest…in covered beds of course. But you could easily plant now for fall even if you didn’t want to get too technical with the covered gardens.
You look GREAT…all baby. And it seems with each new baby we show sooner and get bigger quicker.
Agreed. Each baby along you just pop out quicker and quicker.
Beautiful harvest and beautiful belly, both!
Hi Lisa,
Love you beautiful belly. You harvest and wash greens, etc very much how we did when we had a market garden. I was just doing some early morning gardening and thinking to myself how amazing it is – how much we can grow in really not a large area – more than enough for our family.
Thanks for sharing those beautiful greeens. Also, Lisa – I would like to mail you my copy of Greenhorns when I am done – I am almost done – if you don’t have a copy yet – just email me your mailing address when you get a minute:) (naturalearthfarm@netzero.net)
warm wishes,
Tonya
I will email you! Thank you!! When you mentioned that book it really intrigued me! I will be excited to read it.
Love the Belly! I going to miss our farmer’s market this weekend because I’m traveling back east–but now I have a craving for some Swiss Chard; your harvest is beautiful! XOXO
Enjoy your trip. Are you visiting Ari? If so give him a big hug from me. I bet he is getting SO big.