Harvesting Armenian Cucumbers and Planting Roselle
Armenian cucumbers are back in season at the Farm Stand! Since Armenian cucumbers are technically a melon, they have a subtle sweet taste that is really unique. The variety we’re currently harvesting is light green and can be enjoyed the same way you would a standard cucumber. Farmer Reuben has been enjoying slicing them up and eating them as a farm snack with a sprinkle of his trusty Tajin seasoning and a squeeze of lime. He highly recommends popping by the Farm Stand to pick up some of these delicious cucumbers this weekend!
We planted roselle this week, one of our favorite multi-use crops. Roselle (pictured below) is an edible hibiscus variety in the same family as okra. We’ll be harvesting the tart and tangy leaves as a summer green once the plants get in a few weeks of growth. As the roselle matures and we head towards the fall season, it will begin to bloom and eventually produce ruby red calyces. Roselle calyces have a tart flavor similar to cranberries that can be used in jams, syrups, or teas. We can’t wait to share both the leaves and the calyces with you!
We’ve received several inquiries about tomatoes at the Farm Stand recently so this is the perfect opportunity to talk about seasonality in our climate! Everything we grow on the farm has an ideal temperature range in which it will not only live but thrive. Tomatoes for example tend to be more of a spring crop in our climate as they become stressed once high temperatures are regularly above 85 degrees. A crop like okra (pictured below) likes warm nights and can thrive in the hot summer sun, thus it’s a summer crop. If you’re ever curious when your favorite veggies will be in season, just ask! We’re more than happy to let you know when to expect them.
In Season at the Farm Stand: Armenian Cucumbers, Eggplants, Korean Melons, Okra, Sweet Peppers, Serrano Peppers (limited), Jalapeno Peppers (limited), and Cut Flower Bouquets (limited and only on Saturdays).
