Terranova Farm

09/01/2026

I made bruschetta for the baby shower Sunday, I think I’ll make another batch today with some really ripe tomatoes. For those who wanted the recipe, here you go….

So simple, yet so good.

09/01/2026

Happy September!

A week of not checking the garden means there is a lot of pruning, deadheading and tying to do today. I did cut a bouquet of flowers and pick some vegetables this morning before I head back out to do the other stuff. This is the time of year that I call the “lulling”. Most of the main summer crops have been pulled or aren’t producing as much as they were. The late summer crops are looking good, despite the hot and dry summer. Soon we should have beans, cucumbers, squash, tomatoes and lady peas. There is almost always a “lull” between the main crop and the late crop, that’s why I call it the lulling.

I have fall crops ready to plant, but with the high temperatures this week, I think I will hold off. They are better off sitting in the shade right now. Starting some tomato seeds today to grow in the greenhouse for winter.

What are you planting or harvesting in September?

08/22/2026

Captain Lucky White (a sibling of Captain Lucky) is an underrated tomato. I will admit that I don’t grow it every year myself. I find most pale yellow/white tomatoes to be a bit bland, CLW isn’t bad…I just prefer more ooomph in my tomatoes. Vigorous potato leaf plants with excellent disease resistance. Later maturing than Captain Lucky, but worth a grow if you’ve never tried it.

These little watermelons are the cutest! And so sweet too.

Dahlias are enjoying the slightly cooler weather.

08/16/2026

Baby it’s humid outside!!! Dripping with sweat in less than 15 minutes.

But I did cut some pretty dahlias. And I put my dehydrated Spanish peppers (Nora) in the grinder then put the homemade paprika in jars. Another batch ready to go in dehydrator.

I don’t think I’ll do much more weeding today. How are you staying cool?

Dahlias pictured: KAs Opal Cliffs, RM Dragons Blood, Bella Missy, Bella Mia, Eden Alice and a seedling that I may not keep.

08/15/2026

Summer vegetables are winding down, except for tromboncino squash, it is still growing strong. We have late crops of beans, squash and tomatoes growing. Fall crops ready to plant soon. It’s been a hot and dry summer, but we are pleased with our harvests.

Dahlias are loving the cooler weather, only supposed to be 92 degrees today. They are really starting to bloom well now.

How are your gardens faring? Have you had unusual weather this season?

08/14/2026

We all have bugs that are the bane of our existence. Here in the southeast, we have loads of good bugs and bad bugs too. Fire ants are my biggest problem because they are so difficult to eradicate and I have allergic reactions to their stings. I’m hopeful that Dr. Jerome Goddard is gonna educate me on tips for decreasing their population, but even if he doesn’t, I’ll keep listening to him. Hark, he makes bugs fun. Thank you Dr. Goddard!

08/08/2026

Today’s to do list: dehydrate Nora peppers to make Spanish paprika, roast tomatoes to make tomato soup for winter, parboil squash and onions to freeze for winter and cook green beans to eat this weekend. What’s on your to do list?

08/04/2026

Shrimp and grits with crispy fried squash. Food is so much better when you have fresh vegetables to incorporate. We do eat well.

08/03/2026

Things other than tomatoes….late squash and bean plantings are starting to produce. Tromboncino squash are vigorous climbers and pretty resistant to the pests that usually wipe out the earlier summer squash varieties. Be warned, give them room!! Beautiful blossoms too that make for delicious stuffed squash blossoms. The red peppers are my favorite Spanish paprika varietal called Nora. Seeds obtained years ago from Terry Lynne. We make homemade paprika with these and you can really taste the difference. A few dahlia photos, the large red Is Bella Ann, named after my mom. Taking a break from tomatoes today after yesterday’s canning marathon.

08/01/2026

Canning day…….