First of all, we're implementing a more effective wide-row system this year. I actually dug out paths between the beds and used that soil to create raised beds. This garden plot has a tendency to flood or hold water in heavy rains because it's so close to the river, and the soil is very silty. So far, these beds and low paths in between have helped irrigate water on their own. Last year I tried to make wide beds, but didn't implement it well enough.
In the second picture- this year's picture, dead ahead you can see a strip of green. This is annual rye grass and clover. I planted it between a few of the rows to suppress weeds, hold moisture, create biomass for mulching, habitat for insects and animals, and beautify the garden so it would look like one lush green mat. There is much more planted in the garden than it looks from the picture. Off to the far left is where most of the action is. There's a ton of garlic over there, as well as some peas. The potatoes have really shot up in the last 2 weeks too. I need to find time to hill some soil on them, as it's about that time. Previously, I've tried starting the potatoes in a trench, and filling in the trench as the plants grow. The problem that I found with this is that our soil is much too dense for that, and leads to further compaction, which of course the growing tubers don't like. So, this year we're going to hill them.
Radishes are coming up, as well as corn and beets. The jerusalem artichokes are coming up very very fast. I hope that I like them, because I think we're going to have them for years to come. Our spinach is coming along, despite the warm weather we've been enjoying. The weeds are starting to overgrow the onions, but I started to remedy that today, and should finish in the next day or two after work rain or shine. I still have quite a bit to plant, but it will happen as I can get around to it. Sunflowers are coming up, and the wheat is starting to get going finally, too. Hopefully in the next week or so, I'll get around to describing in more detail about the specifics of starting some of these plants.
As Naomi and I were weeding this morning, I was moving around some wooden boards that I haven't made into tripods yet, and I dropped a whole stack of them making a loud CRACK sound. Instantly, I heard a turkey gobble in response, so I pushed over another stack of boards with the same result. I had the camera with me, so I crouched down and headed in the direction of the sound- the river bank. I looked across the river, and there he was...
