Rain, Just In Time

We experienced two much needed rain events last week, conveniently spread out five days apart, after work for was done for the day, just enough to give the crops and soil a heathy dose to absorb without any soil erosion. I was thinking about the acre of potatoes slowing forming under the soil and the 3,000 newly planted sweet potato slips. Also the thousands of feet of lettuces, beets, chard, and the empty ponds, the frogs, toads, and turtles. But the rain came, and we're thankful. We're still going through the motions irrigating certain crops on a weekly basis regardless of the rain since overall it's been a relatively dry spring at the farm and there's not much moisture in the soil. The two rounds of tomatoes in the two tunnels need well water no matter what since they're out of the weather anyway. When I turn on their tubes I also irrigate the 3 plantings of zucchini and cucumbers because two of the plantings are fruiting and they enjoy consistent moisture. Onions are receiving a regular dose because they're starting to bulb up and are relatively shallow rooted and also because the area they're planted in drains very well. But there's less stress, less tension after an ample rain event.

The summer solstice came and went last weekend. It marks an interesting time on the farm. Whether or not there is some deeper celestial meaning, there is a slight shift in the farm's focus, attention, workload around this time (at least from my perspective). Up until the solstice we work like mad to transform the bulk of our acreage into raised beds, spend a lot of time on the tractor plowing and bed shaping, and sow seeds and plant crops on all this space. Around the solstice our weekly planting allotment lessens and our attention begins to turn more towards harvesting and maintenance. It feels like a more enjoyable time, especially when crops are bountiful and healthy. Last week we push mowed way too much row feet of raised bed aisles, but they needed attention and we had to do it. Instead of having bare soil in between beds that requires mechanical cultivation and would be susceptible to erosion we intentionally allow volunteer species (weeds) to grow, sequestering carbon, protecting the soil, increasing organic matter. We transplanted the final round of cucumbers and zucchini; the 4th basil; the 14th lettuce; and the 8th and 9th beans. Field slicer tomatoes were pruned and trellised. Eggplant, okra, leeks, scallions, lettuces, and herbs were weeded. Sweet and hot peppers were staked and supported with twine.

Very soon we'll embark on some big harvests - carrots, garlic, onions, and potatoes. Most of these tasks are accomplished with the beneficial help of workhifts so be on the lookout for an e-mail announcement. Most harvesting jobs are good for kids as well.

On our schedule for this week is the immense planting of 7,000 strawberry plants - our 2021 crop. Weekly tomato pruning and trellising continues, as well as whatever cultivating, weeding, transplanting, and harvesting that needs to be done.