Occasionally (wink), I give my husband a hard time for dragging me into things I am not ready for. I think the day we signed up for the high tunnel I had said on our way into the farming office “NO MORE PROJECTS!” He listens so well! Wonder where our kids got their stubborn streak?
So it came as a complete surprise to me that I am completely enjoying this high tunnel! I find it calming to go up there when it is cool and walk around and see the growth in things that we planted. I like the fact that we can think strategically, research, do the work up front and expect reasonable results with less work weeding, and watering. I have discovered that while I am no “princess” and am willing to get my hands dirty, I do not enjoy getting my hands dirty every day, nor do I enjoy walking in tall grass. We already know that I do not like the heat at all!
So, the high tunnel is perfect – plan in advance, get my hands dirty when I plant, and then walk through a weed free, semi-protected environment and verify that everything has been adequately watered (automatically) and are actually growing – in the early morning, at 9pm, or in the rain – and still be clean enough to not have to change clothes! I don’t have to remember every single day to water the plants, but yet they get watered! Win-Win
We left for doctors appointments one day and returned late in the evening to find high tunnel fairies had come to bless us! They are true partners in this process and we couldn’t have managed this at all without them! Thanks for the weed blocker for the middle!
We are now in the midst of planting for a fall crop to see just how far into the fall this high tunnel will get us. So we have been planting seeds and making new rows. It reminded me of the parable of the sower or the seeds. The parable is found in three places, and is largely told the same way all three times. (Matthew 13, Luke 4, and Mark 8) A sower casts seeds and the seeds fall on different types of soil. Some rocky, some shallow, some crowded by weeds, and some fertile. Seeds sown in fertile soil may produce 100 fold.
It is one of Farmer man’s favorite parables. When he was first saved, we had many discussions on how to become fertile soil. And while I was sorting out what seeds to plant when, where to plant them, whether they needed organic fertilizer, how deep to place the seed, how close to other plants and a million other details – I realized something completely new.
Cabbages and peas both need rich fertile soil, but what makes them grow best is different. Brussel Sprouts are heavy feeders, they need very fertile soil, might need fertilized often, and they need room. Lettuce can survive a shallower root system than other plants – fertilize as you plant and then let ’em grow. There are “buddy plants” that help fight off one another’s pests and will produce much more fruit when planted together. While fertile soil, is fertile soil, the perfect circumstances for growth for all these plants are completely different.
Fertile soil must have nutrients – We must have the Word of God in our hearts to make our hearts fertile. But, what circumstances are required to make our soil perfect for us to grow is vastly different from person to person.
Hmmm, how many places can I apply that!
So far for the fall planting we have sown, brussels sprouts, cabbage, lettuce – several kinds familiar and new, peas, celery, onions and beans. We have harvested a few green peppers and are seeing our first ripening tomatoes. Our cucumbers and squash have flowered but haven’t given fruit yet.
We have to make up a few more rows, then we plan to add collard greens, spinach, more lettuce, and some beets and turnips for hubby. We are just curious how far into the cold our high tunnel will provide food!
brandnewfarmers 