It’s hard for me to believe, but September is almost over, and it’s time for another harvest update from Happy Acres. Our harvests are slowing down now, and I’m not really unhappy about that! I have been busy now for months hauling in produce and preserving it for later use. It has been a good season here for vegetables, and I have harvested just over 400 pounds so far. Compared to last year’s total of 293 pounds, that is indeed a good amount. I still have to dig the sweet potatoes sometime before frost, which should add to the totals as well.
early September harvest
The winter squashes have done quite well this year, and we have been enjoying them often with our meals. One variety I’m growing for the first time is a dumpling squash called Honey Bun. The fruits have been averaging just under one pound each for me, and the flesh is sweet and tasty. Like delicata squashes, the skin is tender and edible. I have been cutting these into slices and roasting them like I do the delicata squashes.
Honey Bun squash
The pole beans are doing better then they did last year, though not as well as they do most years. I believe the hot weather we’ve been having in late summer has not helped them any. We have been enjoying them for fresh eating, and I have frozen a lot of them for use later in soups and side dishes. I am growing all heirloom varieties that have strings and great flavor, so the yield is usually a bit less than it would be with more modern varieties.
heirloom pole beans
We have also been keeping well supplied with eggplant this year. The small-fruited ones I plant in containers did quite well early on, and then the in-ground plantings started producing in early August. I’ve gotten over 20 pounds so far, which is a lot for just the two of us! That said, we do love our eggplant and we have enjoyed eating it.
mid September harvest
I did a recap on tomatoes last month, but I want to mention one more I forgot to include. Cherry Bomb is my favorite red cherry tomato, and it has been a stellar performer here this year. The fruits are sweet and great for fresh eating, cooking and even for dehydrating.
Cherry Bomb tomatoes
It has been a great year here so far for both the sweet peppers and the hot ones. Cornito Rosso is one of my favorite sweet varieties, and it usually well for me. Pick-N-Pop Yellow is a 2025 AAS winner that has been a prolific producer this year. It has mini peppers with a light yellow color and crisp flesh and makes a nice addition to the lineup of peppers.
Cornito Rosso pepper
Pick-N-Pop peppers
As for the hot peppers, San Joaquin and Flaming Flare are two AAS Winners that have kept us well supplied, and I have been turning both into hot sauces. I’ll try and include more info on the hot peppers I’m growing in my October update.
assorted hot peppers
San Joaquin peppers
Here in late September, the tomatoes are pretty well done for but I am still harvesting peppers, eggplant and beans. The big winter squash is a mature Centercut, and we use these neck pumpkins for pies and other dessert creations.
late September harvest
That’s about all I have for now. I hope you have enjoyed this update, and I’ll be back soon with more happenings from Happy Acres!