Corn Smut

Now growing corn in Virginia is hardly newsworthy in the Country where it is the main crop.  However, after two previously unfruitful attempts, that included not getting a stalk never mind a cob, we were pleased to see two healthy rows of corn complete with cobs.  I initially spent some time watching over them, as one does with a new born, but a freshening cow and a plethora of new rescue horses drew me away; watching paint dry might be more rewarding than watching corn ripening, but it is a close call!  So imagine my disappointment on returning to the corn rows, expecting to see bounteous fruits ready for picking, only to see some of these:

 Corn Smut

Aghast, I call on our chief researcher (Jorg) to identify the offending horror, and find out what new blight has descended on our veggie plot.  This year the rain has been the main offender, as many of the bugs of previous years seem to be in limited numbers, and rain it seems unleashed this fungus on the corn.  Huitlacoche, pronounced WEET-LA-KO-CHEE is well know in Mexico, and by corn growers all over North America.  The latter have been trying to eradicate it, without success, for many years.  The Mexicans, however, love it, and the article in the link under my photo gives a number of good nutritional reasons to try it.  It also transpires that a crop of "corn smut" sells way over the price of regular corn!

Well, Jorg and I have always been willing to try new dishes, and as huitlacoche is supposed to be packed with lysine a nourishing meal of corn smut is on the cards.  We'll let you know how it goes, but that evil looking corn cob might just have a saving grace.

The Rain it Raineth Every Day

Flooding in Norfolk, Virginia (courtesy Richmond Times Dispatch)

OK, so climate change is inevitable. Been going on for millions of years. May be humankind is helping speed things up a bit, but we won't go there! But does it have to rain quite so much in November? I know we have had a drought the last few years, but this is ridiculous. Our farm is slowly sliding down the hill towards the railway line, and I shall probably be able to step out of our back door straight into the barns by Christmas! I exaggerate, but the continuous leaching of the driveway down the hill is a concern, especially the ability of large rocks to rise up out of the ground. We do feel for our folks in the UK and Ireland who must feel as if they are on sinking islands at the moment - we feel your pain.

The blessed event has yet to occur, but all the signs point to Thanksgiving Dinnertime! At this rate it will be a water birth, with Jorg and I assisting Rosebud and Bessie in scuba gear.

Our small gesture toward helping the bee population (and, incidentally improving our fruit crop) is underway, with negotiations going on to bring in some beehives. Jorg is already immersed in bee-keeping information and her next summer hat will definitely have a veil! We will also be extending our rather meagre orchard to become much more self-sufficient in fruit, with an emphasis on apples. More reading up on cider making, both "hard" and "soft" versions. Come next November the rain can raineth as much as it likes, we'll be knee deep in mulled cider!