Chance Lunceford

Here are some photos from last night.

Also, I've laid down a ton of wood chips this year, so I'm expecting all kinds of new fungal friends next year.

The SKIP page looks excellent, and the copy is compelling without being shystey or corny.

Megan Palmer wrote:Do you happen to know whether the vinegar was made by fermenting the peaches or infusing ready made vinegar with peaches?

Definitely fermented.

Second chip drop arrived today.

Not as big as I would have liked, but I'm still grateful and looking forward to putting the chips to use. I also immediately filed another drop request.

Here's my end of season chop N drop on the hillside above my property. I still manage it (including the digging of the swales and demilunes), and this year's growth was significantly more than in previous years. This hillside seeps fertility into my yarden.

I purchased some peach vinegar about some weeks ago.

It's fantastic. Delicious, with a pleasing fruity finish.

I just thought those of you who experience excess peaches, or have a less-than-excellent year, might consider making some peach vinegar.

Chance Lunceford wrote:

Next up, watermelon.

Goals:

1) Direct seed
2) Diverse sizes, for personal and family use
3) Ample but not excessive seed
4) Improved drought/heat and pest/disease tolerance/resistance
5) Deliciousness
6) More stuff, but the above goals will take some work to achieve in my population and are my primary foci

As you can see, I've focused on diversity and icebox or smaller sizes. There are some larger sizes in there, and I'll save seed if they're successful, but my main focus is 20lbs or under.

Next up, tomatoes.

Goals:

1) Direct sow
2) Frost resistance for extended harvest
3) Naturalization in my project area and beyond
4) Disease resistance and drought tolerance
5) Deliciousness
6) Novelty and beauty

I've grown some of these before. Wild Boar tomatoes are magical in their stunning aesthetics, for example. However, I've got hundreds of varieties here pictured because of the mixes, swarms and grexes, in addition to the 30+ specific varieties here pictured.

I've included a large overview picture, and then some closer photos so you can read the varieties.

Carla Burke wrote:They're utterly gorgeous, Chance!!

I feel the same, and also lucky to be the steward of such lovely beings.

I declare, I believe my striped/painted cosmos are the best I've ever seen.

I've been selecting and saving for 6 years in my yarden.

They also self-sow every year.

Cosmos are beautiful, and pollinators love 'em.