07/07/2022
Hello, all, hope you are safe and well. When I decided to expand my garden this year, it was with three thoughts in mind: more for myself, family, friends, and neighbors, and absolutely a ton more canning/pickled (...ALSO avail to family, friends, and neighbors, hehe). But also to provide something to others who don’t have even the modest garden I have here, and would like fresh veggies and herbs, without having to buy the mass-produced, cardboard tasting stuff from stores. Seriously, there is a huge difference. So, if things go “as planned”, my plan is to offer fresh produce as “Pay What You Can”.
Have a dollar, want some cukes? Sold. Have ten dollars, want some cukes? Sold. Every cent will be donated equally amongst three charities: No Kid Hungry, National Network Of Abortion Funds, and Black Lives Matter. In a world, more specifically a country, and even more specifically, a state, which is run by old, white men, who don’t care about women, don’t care about children (after they are born), and don’t care about anyone who isn’t white, we need to be better and protect them, give them the resources to grow, and achieve equal footing. Equality. If you’re against one or two of those charities, know that your money would go to at least one or two of the charities you may believe in.
I have ALOT planted this year, so hopefully will be able to offer ALOT. My original plan was to set up a sign at the end of my driveway where I could list what is available that day, which I may still do. For now I will post on FB, guh, META, both on my page and Ahlborn Acres (if you haven’t visited AA, just go and take a look…I was a lot younger in most of the pics…but much more handsome now).
In every case, I will do my best to “pick to order”, nothing sitting in the fridge for days. You would like something that day? We will pick it that day (although, sometimes that can’t be helped, produce waits for no one). So if you’d like something, you could message me, swing by, and we can pick together, whatever you’d like. The following is a list of what’s avail now, and in the coming months (fingers crossed):
NOW-
-pickling cukes (limited amount at the moment, more on the way)
-slicing cuke (same)
-kale (very limited)
-beets (limited, undersized—damn heat—but still good)
-malabar spinach (not technically a spinach, it loves heat and humidity, and vines; the leaves are very thick, with a very earthy taste, they’re delicious)
-mint
-basil
-oregano (limited)
-thyme
-dill (limited)
-parsley
-very shortly, onions, with a titanic boat load on the way
COMING-
-tomatoes, more than 10 varieties, some soon
-peppers, even more varieties, some soon
-squash/zucchini, some even sooner
-corn (2 varieties)
-beans
-strawberries, 2nd and 3rd waves (1st was awesome)
-muskmelon (small, softball sized)
-carrots
LATER-
-Brussels sprouts
-Potatoes (3 varieties)
-and the aforementioned onions…I planted better than 200
I also plan to replant, for fall:
-kohlrabi
-radish (stop by and see my attempt at a basketball sized fruit…getting there)
-cabbage (mini head)
-cauliflower (mini head)
-beets
-broccoli (head and raab)
-more of all herbs listed above
If you are unable to make the trek out here, we could possibly set up a time/place to meet. My days off are getting more and more fleeting, such is the nature of my work, but I will do everything I can to get you your b***y.
I have no idea if any of this will work, honestly, it could all blow up tomorrow. So much of gardening is like life, ironically (?): just do your best to set things up, and let life, and love, take it from there.
One of my favorite stories about my grandfather, Mr Ahlborn, was that he would walk the streets of rural Three Lakes, with a pocket full of seeds, and randomly stick them in dirt, especially by the post office. I would like to think this is me kinda doing the same thing. Green, life, and love, for all.
Thanks for reading.
-j
P.S. As an aside, any of you, ANY of you, is welcome to come and sit by or in the garden, whether I’m here or not. There is no psychiatrist, psychologist, therapist, counselor, or drug that can make you feel more alive and happy, than sitting by a garden. I promise you.
(Just let me know you’re stopping by? Thanks)
