Hello. I’m Haratake, a part-time farmer.
This time, it’s Field No. 2. A cool morning, a clear blue sky. And the scent of green. It feels so refreshing, I wonder if there could be a better relaxation than this. Really, happiness isn’t just something you can buy with money. I was thinking up some sour grapes complaints like that, haha！
(Photo: Field No. 2)
The okra plants are still going strong. They’re shooting straight up, towering over me now. And I’m over 180cm tall! It feels a bit like raising children—suddenly realizing they’ve grown taller than you. Even now, deep into autumn, they’re still bearing plenty of fruit. Maybe it’s just my imagination, but the pods seem softer now. When they first appeared, they were hard, but they seem to be gradually softening. When I tried to harvest one by touching it and giving it a firm tug, it snapped clean off. That never happened before.
(Photo: The tall okra)
And then there’s the edamame. Many of the pods on the branches are plumping up nicely. Still no clue when to harvest them… Books say harvest when about 80% of the pods are plump, but what about when 10% are turning black and about 20% still aren’t plump? They say the aroma of freshly picked edamame is the best, but honestly, I don’t know what that “best aroma” is supposed to be… So, even after dealing with this many edamame plants, I still haven’t learned the best harvest time. This challenge will have to wait until next year.
(Photo: Plump edamame pods)
Well then, until next time~
