August

It is now August and there are two directions I can go. I can treat the next two weeks like a second spring, and try to plant as much as I can. Or I can back off and watch the summer wind down. Every week I seed lettuce, radishes, salad turnips, baby kale, arugula, peppergrass, spinach, and brassica mix. These plants can outpace the weeds and do pretty well in the garden. But I have to be mindful of what I have time to accomplish.

While I could potentially plant more broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage, I also need to look at what I have time to properly manage, otherwise I could just be creating more frustration. Although I hate the idea of more plastic on the farm, I might go ahead and start buying woven landscape fabric. It can be used again and again, covers the ground; preventing weeds, and allows water to flow through during the rain. It will also reduce the need to till the soil, helping preserve it's structure and microbiome. I had hoped to use more wheat straw for the same purposes, however the labour and skill required to do so proved to be too much.

Meanwhile, my perennials are looking great. I am looking to have a second plant sale this fall when it is a good time to plant them (although, with these rains, it could be done now). I love starting plants in the greenhouse and am happy to be selling plants at market. I am also looking forward to planting my own flower beds outside of the tiny house.

My potato plants look great and in a week or so I should be able to start digging new potatoes. I got organic seed potato from Ellenberger Farm, up near Coe Hill. I took a road trip back in April to pick them up. It was a long drive but a fun change of pace after being on the farm all winter.