Nasturtium, lavendar

6 Septembre, Friday

88 degrees F

Sunny, 5 mph S wind

The women tend the poultry yards and gardens. Interested in maintaining the later, their delicate hands do not shrink from cultivating it themselves. Straw hat on the head, spade and cultivator in hand, sometimes they prepare the soil for the seeds or nourish the budding plants; sometimes they attack the voracious weeds that would choke out the vegetables destined to fill the cellars, in which they last throughout the winter. – My Account of Upper Louisiana, Nicholas de Finiels, 1797

This account echoes through the passage of time, acknowledging the eternal truths in a gardener’s life. One nurtures the crops, while trying to gain the upper hand against the elements and weeds that threaten to overtake one’s garden. Certainly the consequences in the colonial garden were imminently more disastrous then in our demonstration garden; the lack of produce would have directly affected the survival and finances of one’s family.

None the less, the challenge must be won to have a successful garden-the recent heat and drought in the Illinois country have certainly restricted progress. Watering the beds that are still producing has become the priority while working the soil and seeding for the fall season continue at a slower pace.  Purple eggplant and Long Red Cayenne peppers continue to thrive and produce, while the first of the watermelons are ripening. The Long Anglais cucumbers, and the various varieties of summer squashes and beans have been producing well this season but for the last three or four weeks. Earlier in the summer, it had been cooler and wetter than our norm. But alas, the recent heat and lack of rain have slowed production and taken its toll. Soon these beds will be cleared for the fall planting of the cool autumn crops of lettuces, peas, and winter radishes. A few beds recently were planted with Lacinato kale and Early Wonder beets, White Egg and Purple Globe Top turnips. The gardener’s endless cycle of soil preparation, planting seed, while nurturing and harvesting continues as the fall approaches. This cycle, in our colonial past and in the present, provides comfort in its regular rhythm and helps us understand and make sense of our environment, and our place within it.

Ancient Watermelon

This Saturday, September 7, 10 AM-Noon, the work in the jardin potager continues, preparing the beds for the fall planting. The season’s first melons have been picked and as usual, the available jardin produce, recettes (recipes), and seeds packets will be available to share.  Hopefully, the recent warm temperatures have sweetened the watermelons. Stop by for our 7 Septembre Heirloom Produce Saturday. Sample, and share in our garden adventure! The next Heirloom Produce Saturday will be October 19.