Purple Peppers Pirates

 Tortuga Thursday

In 2012, on the plains of Northern Arizona, two families joined forces and began the trials and tribulations of building a small family farm with nothing in the bank but love.

Peppers of several varieties

To quote one of my favorite songs "it's a hot one, like seven inches from the midday sun." This has been the hottest spell for the longest and the earliest since we landed on Tortuga Flats. I can't handle the heat. And since I'm out there weeding everyday, I have to start early. I'm so very glad most of the rows have the black plastic this year. The Bermuda grass finds a way through but not nearly as bad as last year when we didn't use the plastic.

I'm picture sharing this time. Our fields are looking good! And we will have fruit after all. The orchard is like an afterthought that no one has much time to work on. I try to keep suckers trimmed and Frank waters the trees. Lance did such a massive trim, and that could be why we'll have some fruit. We love fruit, but with only so many hours in the day, the trees are way down on the list for care.

Each year, Lance plants something I've never heard of or seen. One year, we had green beans, but they were purple. Another year, we had red and yellow carrots. This year, we have purple okra. I love surprises!

Our heads are deep in thought, debate and planning on how to expand. The pickle business won't grow much until we can find a way to build a commercial kitchen. Another crop is being considered, but the investment is still a tough problem. Investors are being sought as well as other creative solutions. Stay tuned!

Reminder - we have Pirate Pickling shirts available. Here's the web site if you're interested. Click on apparel: http://www.piratepickling.com/

Purple Okra plant

Cucumber plants

Zucchini plants

Black Arkansas apples!

Pears!