We are a little behind the curve this year but the garden is getting planted as we speak. We missed the cooler weather crop as we have been focused on getting the blueberries in order but we still have time to plant all of the warm weather veggies ( and fruits ). Back in February and March we formed the once flat garden plot into permanent raised beds and then filled the 6″ deep rows between them with hardwood mulch. This strategy will reduce the water needs of the garden by holding moisture from rain and human-powered watering. Now we are removing weeds, adding composted soil from local sources and mixing it all together using one of my favorite tools for the garden, the broadfork.
Broadforks have been used for many years as tilthing tools by no-till gardeners on small to medium sized garden plots. They are tined tools that break up the soil as much as 14 inches deep but don’t invert the soil as a roto-tiller or disc would do. This has many benefits including maintaining soil structure, reducing run-off and growing better quality food with fewer inputs. Although it can be more labor intensive, we consider the overall benefit of working garden soil by hand to be well worth the effort. This is one of many techniques we hope to employ here at Luna’s Trail Farm to hold ourselves to a high standard of environmental stewardship.
Over the course of a couple days, with just people power, we were able to shape and tilth all of our raised beds, fertilize with composted soil and plant beans, potatoes, cucumbers, squashes, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and more. We are looking forward to a bountiful harvest and are pretty proud of the end result from this weeks labor.
Come check out what we are doing anytime you please, but call ahead if you can so you will know where to find us ( 336.351.1050 )!
