First Planting!

Yesterday we planted our first row of crops. Two days ago, Rita and the kids came out and helped mark out six wide bed rows. We chose 3' wide beds in order to take advantage of growing space and utilize companion planting more thoroughly than last year. We look forward to the results of our efforts.

Yesterday we planted peas, radishes, beets, lettuce, mesclun, spinach, and cilantro. The children were a big help, with Isaac, Isaiah, and Gerret offering their planting and stick marking talents for the better part of two hours.

Below is a photo journey of yesterday's endeavor. Here they are planting Wando and Golden Pod peas along the pea fence. We learned shortly thereafter that the fence should have been more in the middle as reaching across three feet for the rest of the crops will prove taxing.

One of the row markers. Each row is about 40' long. When the crops are fully established, we will probably move the twine and fence posts.

Below, Isaiah and Gerret plant the last of the peas.

Above, Rita follows and covers the seeds under the fence.

Here, Andy and Bret deliver straw bales from several of the farm buildings. We had used them as winter insulation, but now they will be used for walkway mulch. This will cut down on weeds and soil erosion...hopefully!

Planting spinach in between our butterhead lettuces.

Hopefully today we will get started on a second 40' row. Look for a diagram of the early garden in the next few days. I have to scan it in yet.