Monday, May 24th, I started mulching with old, bad hay from winter. Tied up the peas with baling twine. Finished the cucumber bed. The carrots, leeks and celery in the patch are from my winter cold frame. Eliot Coleman is right, the carrots are oh, so sweet.
Sunday, May 30th, my neighbor's old tractor.
They tilled up the yard for my "new" garden. Emily is 76 years old and still digging B I G rocks out of the soil with me. Notice all of the rocks I dug up in my border bed? It was part of an old foundation wall and I found lots of treasures in the earth.
Tuesday, June 1st, new garden and new chicken yard is getting closer to being done. The rest of the asparagus is in, lots of seeds. This is the week to plant the seedlings up here in New England.
The old bath tub is a gift from Emily, my neighbor, it is going to be my water feature....
New raised beds. The sawyer cut the boards from local hemlock, they are very sturdy and hold up in the cold winter freeze and thaw.
Progression towards filling our freezer with our own food,
from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m, every day.
I have let everything else go, especially housework! I promised myself I would heed Scott Nearing's advice and take a day off every week. It is raining today, guess I will take that day off today and let the garden grow.
We smelled the fires from Quebec all yesterday morning. It was smokey and hazy... our poor, dear planet earth is fighting to make it with us on her back. We are like viruses spreading out and touching every stream and valley.... I was thinking the other day while digging a deep hole in rocks that there is an easier way to do this without a shovel and sweat but what is the cost? We do use petroleum but we try to use it sparingly, and for big jobs. It is a challenge being post 50 and late 40's doing this hard work alone, no big family of boys or large community willing to barter labor... Re-building a farm infrastructure from scratch is very hard, exhausting and expensive. We try to do our very best every day, in every way, in every decision we make, knowing that we are touching the earth with our "progression".
Your garden progression is impressive. Eliot Coleman and Scott and Helen Nearing are some of my idols too. I can't wait to see your garden in full swing. I've gotten a late start here, but hope to really garden into fall/winter. Have you read the 4 season harvest by EC?
ReplyDeleteGreat job!I'll have to look into the cold frame technique.I was not familiar with this.
ReplyDeleteThanks . Yes I have read EC's 4 Season Harvest! It was my first EC book. It is so inspiring, especially in this climate! Thanks for your comment.
ReplyDeleteThanks Guy! Cold frames are such a great way to extend the food growing joy!
ReplyDeleteYour gardens and your drive and determination are incredible. I am in awe! Sending you good wishes and peace and love
ReplyDeleteLT