Farm Report For August 21

Sweet prickly pears (tunas) are ready to pick. Only 5 or 6 ripen at a time, and my plan is to pull out the cuisinart ice cream machine and make a batch of cactus ice cream. I'm also taking advantage of this second batch of young pads and freeze drying some nopalitos for later.

I tore out the remnant of an ancient chain link fence out by the road, and I'm still playing with the idea of planting wine grapes out there. Depending on the spacing, I could fit in as many as 180 vines. With a good drip irrigation system, the maintenance wouldn't be that difficult, and a lot more fun than mowing weeds. At this point, the gophers are kaput.