Squash on the Vine - When Do You Harvest Your Crop? Saint George Court, Warwick, RI

If you've been reading me all summer then you know that I planted some butternut squash in the garden. Two on trellises, one in a patch near the cucumbers and several up and over the grape arbors.

For weeks now curious family members and spectators have said, "Your squash is ready." and I say      "No. Be patient. You have to wait until the stems turn brown".

When a squash grows in the wild there is no one
there to pick it. When does it fall from the vine?
When the vegetable matures and the stem withers. Turning brown indicates there is no nourishment passing through the plant to the squash.

The large squash to the left is a perfect example. Shown here hanging from the arbor, it has been looking large and fine for months.
But not ready til this week.

Notice how dry and brown the stem has turned?
You can't see it but it actually has a crackle to it.

Look at the additional photo below,
the withering vines seem too dry to do anything.

But it is all part of the process
and picking too soon will only yield
under-ripe, overly-wet produce.

Saint George Court, Warwick, RI - Butternut Squash Bounty of Governor Francis Farms Gardens

While we've been enjoying the splendor of these last few weeks of summer some mighty big things have been happening on Saint George Court. Butternut squash that was planted by the base of Turtle Pond Wines' grape arbors has been steadily producing a bountiful harvest!

Bird's Nest Fungi on Saint George Court, Warwick, RI Tropical Mushrooms in Governor Francis Farms

While watering tomatoes this week I noticed a cluster of teeny-tiny 

cup shaped mushrooms in the compost. Memory flash to the guide books 

I read last year on identifying local fungi; I had seen this one before. 

Yes indeed, a quick trip to Google gave me the positive ID I needed. 

I had found Bird's Nest Fungi!

Notice the immature fungi; creamy beige, with a raspy exterior. 

They will soon open up to spread their spores.

Read more about the fungi here: Bird's Nest

Governor Francis Farms Gardens Grow Bigger and Better Saint George Court, Warwick, RI

Seriously? I never expected my tomatoes to outgrow this years' innovative new stake system. With about six and a half feet of stake above ground I thought that my tomatoes would never make it to the top. Instead I find myself at the end of the pole, literally.

As you can see here the Costoluto Genovese tomatoes, near the cucumbers at the right rear,  and the Yellow Pear tomatoes, at the forward end, have reached the top of their stakes.

We measured today and have recorded SEVEN feet and four inches! HOLY TOMATO!

Let me give you a few points of reference. The eggplant in the front, left corner is about 34".
And the frame of the raised bed, by the cobblestone pavers is close to a foot, at 10".

Do the deductive reasoning.

The cucumbers at the other end of the beds were planted in boxed cages. There are nine of them total and we have picked about a dozen cukes so far. Check the Food for Thought blog soon for ways to use cucumbers!

Eggplant progress is much better this week. There are five trees and each one has some heavy produce setting up.

Saint George Court Warwick, RI - Governor Francis Farms The Italian Tomatoes Top Six Feet Tall!

We planted nine tomato plants in our raised beds. Additionally there are four more nearby including some Black Cherries. Of the nine there are two San Marzano, two Black Krim, two Costoluto Genovese, one Lemon Boy, one Yellow Pear and one Early Girl. Below you see the baby Yellow Pears forming a string on one of many stems.

This past week the C.Genovese had climbed past the six-foot mark to
six feet and nine inches, and was still growing; to where though? These Italian heirlooms were purchased from Williams-Sonoma with the Black Krim and San Marzano. And while both of those are at a strong five feet tall, they somehow seem dwarfed next to their
leggy cousins.

Elsewhere in the garden there are just about a million cucumbers growing on the nine caged vines. Some are ready to pick today.


by Linda Maintanis

Saint George Court Gardens Bursting With Promise Governor Francis Farms, Warwick, RI

The gardens at Saint George Court are growing faster than Jack's beanstalk. This past week the deluge of rain showers finally cleared and led to a small drying spell to help out the drainage.
                                                                                                

The Farmer D raised garden beds
are making gorgeous homes for our
vegetables. The organic cedar is a
strong and sturdy material for the job
and they look great next to the
cobblestone paved sidewalks.

While the peppers, eggplants and
cucumbers build a sturdy frame
and root system, the tomatoes
seem to be working double-time.
The assortment of Black Krim,
San Marzano, Costoluto Genovese,
Yellow Pear, Lemon Drop and
Early Girl tomatoes all have large fruits
set up for an early harvest in July.