"There was a high majestic fooling Day before yesterday in the yellow corn." —From ‘Laughing Corn’ by Carl Sandburg (1918)

Dear Organic Gardeners,

I hope June finds you all with gardens in full swing and hefty, fresh-from-the-garden salads gracing your tables. It's been a bit of a struggle for us in the Northeast, but after the wettest, coolest spring in recent memory, it seems like summer might actually arrive. Planting has been delayed for many gardeners this year and it's strange to see so much bare ground in folks' gardens this late in the season. Of the crops that did make it into the garden, many have struggled with their wet feet and the cold nights. It feels like we're on our third "mud season": every time it starts to dry up the rains come again. Someone told me it was because the oceans are evaporating at an accelerated pace due to global warming. I hope not.

As always, hope springs eternal in the garden. A sunny day or two, the plants perk up and all is forgotten. Crops go in behind schedule and you hope that the killing frost will come late in the fall, or vow to cover things if the frosts come early. If crops rot in the cold, wet earth you simply rework the soil and plant again. The timing is always right to sow something, whether it's a spring radish or a fall cover crop. And there are always the perennials, which seem to hold to their innate schedule, rain or shine. The lemon balm and licorice mint offer up a fine tea this time of year, while the valerian and dame's rocket beckon butterflies and buzzing things.

	Field Report: European Gourmet Greens Colorful, flavorful, nutritious and coming to your table with a wealth of history... Read More >
	"High Majestic Fooling" (everything you ever wanted to know about corn sex) by Emily Gatch... Read More >
	Farm Report Erica Renaud brings us up to date with planting at the NM farm... Read More >

At our New Mexico Research Farm it's a different story. While the spring was a wet one by Southwest standards, the weather there has become extremely hot and dry, making precise irrigation all the more essential to get things going at the farm. While it's always interesting trying to provide for the water needs of every conceivable crop type (all at once), this year has been exceptional: an extensive new irrigation system is in place but had a few bugs to work out as crops were sown. The farm staff has also done a bit of replanting, but are now reaping the benefits of their new automated system. In this month's farm report, Research and Farm Manager Erica Renaud updates us on the challenges and joys of cultivating and evaluating over a thousand different varieties.

Growing corn this summer? If so (or even if you're not), don't miss Emily Gatch's tales of "high majestic fooling" in the corn patch. It's everything you ever wanted to know about the sexual habits of this most promiscuous of crops...and probably a little more.

As this is the season (at least one of them!) for succulent gourmet salad and braising greens, we thought it appropriate to delve into the European heritage of some of our favorites. From kale to collards, endive to arugula, Seeds of Change Bulk Seed Representative Micaela Colley provides us with background, growing tips, and more on this highly nutritious and easy-to-grow staple of many cuisines. To add a little color to the mix, I've provided some tips on growing beets for both their nutritious greens and their beautiful, tasty roots.

Whatever your weather, sow some seeds and dream. Summer is here!
Scott Vlaun, Editor

Photo caption: A swallowtail butterfly alights on a valerian plant in bloom.

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