Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Another hot spell ramping up

A neighbor's grape arbor
We have just finished a wonderful cool period, with the temperatures during the day not making it much past 70 (21C) in the heat of the day, with wonderful cool nights allowing for comfortable sleep. And we even got a third of an inch of rain Friday night here in Bellingham, which was also delightful, after having been in a prolonged drought. But it was short-lived. Starting today, when the clouds clear off, we won't be seeing any more of them for quite awhile. A high-pressure ridge is building over the area, so here we go again.

Every morning when I walk to the bus, I pass these grapes and have watched them develop. They are not seedless and will turn deep burgundy colored before they are ripe. But this year the neighbors will have a bumper crop, the most I've seen in the seven years I've been watching. I stole a few once, and they are tart and filled with seeds (maybe Concord?) and very delicious. Of course, anything stolen tastes better, doesn't it?

My tomatoes are still green but some of my neighbors' cherry tomatoes are ripe enough to be quite delicious indeed. And my friend John tells me that his sweet corn is not too far from being ready to eat. I'll be the benefactor of as much as I want! It's getting to be that time of the year when harvesting the fruits of our labors is in sight. I've eaten broccoli and kohlrabi, as well as lettuce and spicy salad greens from my own garden since June, but those fruits that require a whole season are coming along nicely. Oh, is there anything better than food from your own garden? Or an unsuspecting neighbor's?
:-)
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16 comments:

  1. Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotteJuly 28, 2015 at 2:03 PM

    Haha you tasted grapes secretly. Sometimes I see folks doing just that at produce section in shops before they buy. Buddy it known to sample a green bean now and again. Love this post. It had me smiling.

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  2. Elephant's ChildJuly 28, 2015 at 3:18 PM

    Stolen fruit (and vegies) do indeed taste delicious.
    Big smiles. And I hope your heat stays at bearable levels.

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  3. AnonymousJuly 28, 2015 at 4:25 PM

    I was just telling David how wonderful it would be if it were always 77F outside. Yesterday, the temperature reached 91F, way too hot for comfort. As usual, we have the a/c on.

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  4. RedJuly 28, 2015 at 5:46 PM

    Your dry forecast probably means we're in for a dry spell. There's nothing better than food right off the plant. I've eaten chard, peas and beets. Tomatoes are only days away from being ready.

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  5. The Furry GnomeJuly 28, 2015 at 6:26 PM

    We're in the middle of a hot spell here, but it looks like it will be mercifully short!

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  6. KailaniJuly 28, 2015 at 6:37 PM

    I'd probably snitch a few too. ;) We are supposed to be getting 'Florida weather' per the weatherman in the next few days. Ugh.

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  7. KayJuly 28, 2015 at 6:46 PM

    It's really, really hot and humid over here. Arrrrghhh! I've got the air conditioning on and don't want to leave my office. You had 70 degrees? Wow! That's fabulous! I'm drooling over your garden!

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  8. KayJuly 28, 2015 at 6:46 PM

    And your neighbor's...

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  9. Linda W.July 28, 2015 at 8:38 PM

    Nice grapes! Ugh....I'm not looking forward to yet another heat wave.....

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  10. Far Side of FiftyJuly 28, 2015 at 8:47 PM

    We have had your heat wave here, it may cool off a bit tomorrow. Those grapes look wonderful, I wonder if they make wine or at the least jelly:)

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  11. Linda ReederJuly 28, 2015 at 10:37 PM

    It was over 80 by late this afternoon, climbing to near 90 by Friday, I guess. I would be happy with 75.
    Our first tomatoes are turning red!

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  12. Anni July 29, 2015 at 4:43 AM

    I'm all for home grown tomatoes!!! The taste, and the juiciness just can't be compared!!!

    Don't like concord grapes myself....I like the sweet red seedless best of all.

    Another heat wave? If you think it's hot at your neck of the woods...come down here!! This'll be the 4th day we've been under Heat Advisories.

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  13. Trish and Rob MacGregorJuly 29, 2015 at 7:44 AM

    We've been eating mangos from our trees that are still warm from the sun!

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  14. Arkansas PattiJuly 29, 2015 at 8:56 AM

    The only thing as good as gardening is having a neighbor or friend who does. That way you get a variety of fresh foods.
    Sorry about the heat wave. That takes the fun out of Summer. We have been over 100 for two weeks but most of us have A/C so it isn't too bad. It does keep us indoors during the heat of the day though. I just came in from mowing at 10:30 AM and it is 95 all ready.

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  15. RianJuly 30, 2015 at 2:38 AM

    I agree with Patti... when it's over 100 degrees (103 today in Texas), we stay inside (and yes, we have A/C). We also have figs ripening on our trees! We love fresh figs - so do the birds, squirrels, and box turtles. There are 3 community gardens around here. I've always been tempted to see about joining... but haven't yet. Love hearing about yours.

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  16. Sally WesselyJuly 30, 2015 at 5:41 PM

    Food from the garden can't be matched. This year, I actually have a tomato plant on the deck. It has some green tomatoes. We will see if anything comes of them.

    It is cool here this summer. I think we got mixed up with your patterns. You have our heat and no rain. We have rain and it is cool.

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