28 Apr Sun 2013
On a Good Work Day!
Our erratic weather has been disrupting farm plans. On the infrequent good work days, things have to be done quickly and efficiently. Last fall many beds were readied for early crops and others had cover crops that winter kill. Without the “work ahead” and planning not a lot would have been accomplished this spring. Another factor comes into play, condition of the soil. Our loose friable soil bursting with biological activity is easy to work and supportive of our crop plants.
Last Monday (Earth Day) was a good work day. It was one of those fabulous days you could find diversions if farm demands weren’t so insistent. It warmed into the 60’s and was sunny and clear. The Forsythia is finally blooming and songbirds hyperactive. I managed to get 1000 bed feet of potatoes in. All of my energy went into work, and peas, more radishes, Chinese cabbages, Walla Walla and Copra onions and some rapini went into the field. More remains to be done but on a good day like this one I was satisfied with the work.
I surveyed the work and thought about what I might have accomplished when I worked at a previous farm. That farm had infertile, dead soil. I began the process of bringing it back to life and fertility but it was a wasted effort. The directors there only wanted machine work and prescribed agronomic inputs to base their production on. The same mentality as industrial ag. I recall a bed there I used a broadfork on so the carrots might have a chance to grow as intended. The soil came up like concrete slabs rather than lifting and loosening. Interesting that the soil at Tillers is the same type and so much closer to ideal vegetable soil. In a few years, with diligent work our good soil will be even better. The great produce that we’re growing will be that much better!
Farmer Pete