We completed our seeding last weekend with the final row of carrots and beets and our heat loving winter and summer squash and pumpkins. We are excited for this season because the garden has really developed into a beautiful, relatively weed free plot.
I mean check out this epic-ness! Homemade trellises, squash hills ready to bear fruit for the fall. Weeds and pests are managed organically, and we have our grip settled into the plot, controlling what grows, and hopefully what doesn't grow.
Despite the many losses we've felt to be in a pandemic (including not getting married next weekend), one benefit is not venturing east for a family vacation this time of year as we usually do, which means we can put more time into the farm, and the battle of the weeds this year will be more to our favour. I even started my first perennial herb garden this season to help establish the farm. It's been a very productive May for us!
This is the start of my herb garden! (yet to be fully planted) It seems that the projects are always endless when we get up there and it keeps us very active. But after every weekend we are tired and happy, feeling very accomplished with all of our endeavours.
It is also likely a good thing we aren't leaving our plot to it's own devices this spring as we have a good many different experiments this year, with less root vegetables and more variety in plants. This will require a bit more attention than potatoes, beets, garlic and carrots that we are used to planting in the whole plot (don't worry we still planting lots!). Ensuring there is consistent moisture and weeding will be critical to see any hard work pay off this summer. With this pandemic, it seems that a lot of people have more time on their hands, and what better way to spend it than on the farm working towards our goals of a working homestead.
We even tackled some projects that we have been aiming to do for a while, building up some tree rows, removing fencing, organizing farm equipment and antique tractors, clearing pathways and tending to things that have been neglected. In a short three years, the farm has changed its look pretty dramatically with every little project. I have been looking back on posts from when we first started, seeing all of the long grass and weeds. Everything looked overgrown and neglected. Looking at it today you could hardly tell it was the same place.
I'll get philosphical for a second here and talk about happiness. Everyone is in the pursuit of happiness, and I find sometimes society can be misguiding in where to find it. Happiness isn't a destination, it's a by-product. It's work, it's the sensation of accomplishment, it's building your future, it's sweat equity. Work towards a purpose and happiness becomes a by-product. Your purpose can be multi-faceted. Raising children, caring for others, growing a business you're passionate about, volunteering for a cause you can get behind, and all of those small tasks you do towards your purpose is where happiness comes from. I find I am most contented right after I finished a big job, sweaty, thirsty and in need of a seat. I sit down and I am proud of myself for muscling through and getting it done and I think about the reward that will come from my work. A big sense of happiness lately at the farm is planting new trees. The idea that youre working now to provide shade for the future is such a happy feeling.
I hope everyone is finding more purpose throughout this pandemic, finding out what is most important to them and working towards building it up.
I can't wait to update you with our garden growth amid the Alberta sunshine this summer. I'll leave you with some hakurei turnip sprouts.
I hope that in a few short weeks we will be pulling up some turnip and radishes shortly!
If we can muster it, we will attempt for a market garden at the end of June with baby beets, turnip, radishes, and garlic scapes!
Until then my friends, farmers and family, have a great month!
Kait