Spring still came even with COVID-19 on the rise. And Sister Moon Gardens has been changing and expanding in this time of uncertainty. The wheels were already in motion for big things requiring big equipment to happen once the weather got better. The weather got better and they came. First the liming truck to dump the next round of lime on the SW, West and the SE fields. That was a bizarre and slightly stressful event as even a slight breeze can pick up that light lime dust and send it flying. And this guy was like a race car driver around the field, dropping tons of lime and dolomite. I don’t see having to do that again (thankfully). The soil test next year will show how far we’ve moved the pH from acidic to more alkaline.
Then my friend, Dean Blades, of the Colton Winery brought his excavator over to make the West field a bit more level to accommodate a perennial cover crop (otherwise known as a lawn) where future events and gatherings will happen. I’ve chosen a seed mix of about 5 different Fescue varieties because of the need for minimal upkeep, good under occasional heavy traffic, a lush green color and ok in partial shade.
The high tunnel is planted for the first round. I chose greens: spinach, lettuce, arugula, bok choi, tat soi, kale and a patch of cilantro. I got a late start because I was just developing the space for the first time. Next year, I’ll have things in the ground by February, I hope, and some overwintering crops to blend into early Spring needs. Now, the high tunnel is getting hotter with these recent gorgeous days. I may have to get a shade cloth. However, I’ve got tomato, tomatillo, eggplant and pepper starts ready to go in next and they may love the heat. Its all a learning curve the first year with any new thing.
Peter and I have been making the racks for the new starts to come over to the high tunnel. So far, they are working well, though I can see a need for shade cloth over them as the season progresses. Or, I’ll just keep all the new starts in our greenhouse at home. Not sure how that will play out.
Hope your Spring is going well and that your family and dear ones are healthy and being safe.
