Telling the perfect time to harvest vine fruits and some tree crops is tricky for me. While some are easy to know when they're ripe, like strawberries that turn red, apples that get their blush on, or melons that change color, others are much more difficult.

The Watermelon Challenge

Watermelon is the most challenging of all. We've tried all the signs we've read about: the tendrils closest to the fruit's stem dying, the ground spot changing color, and the old-fashioned "thump" test. None of these methods seem to be a foolproof way to know for sure. There have been years when we've been disappointed, cutting open what we hoped would be a ripe melon only to find white flesh inside.

A Different Approach

This year, we decided to wait until our cantaloupes were already turning color before harvesting our first watermelon. We were happy to find that it had a beautiful, red, sweet-tasting core. We're growing two types of watermelon this season: 'Juice Box', a smaller 4-6 pound variety, and 'Blacktail Mountain', a larger round variety. We also have two types of cantaloupe, 'Triton' and 'Milan', which are ripening now. If you get the chance, buy a few of these late-season fruits and enjoy them—the harvest season passes by so quickly!

We have listed the last cabbage to be harvested for the season, along with pears and catnip.

Please note the change of delivery day for this week. We hope September provides your table with lots of fresh local food and fruits.

****************************************************************************************

We will be delivering on WEDNESDAY this week as I have an appointment with the everyone's favorite doctor....the dentist on Thursday morning.

Deliveries will be between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM, with a central drop-off point at the South Paris Library at 11:00 AM.

To shop on line click link
Make sure to log in or create an account to shop or email us at verrill@gmail.com

Find our Bouquets at Coopers Farm Stand in West Paris.

NO DELIVERY THIS WEEK TO THOS. MOSER CABINETMAKERS

Contact us if delivery fits your schedule best. That may be an option,

_________________________________________________