Week 11

We had a really interesting in person soil health consultation today. The Maine Department of Agriculture has a one-man department run by a soil scientist. The consultation was fascinating; Kyle and I were captivated for the three hours he was here today. The overall goal of the meeting was to discuss current farming practices and come up with a plan to implement small changes to improve the overall health of the farm. We walked around, looked at the plants and the soil scientist poked an instrument that measured compaction around randomly and at our suggestion. We spent a long time discussing our low spot which has become a problem area the last few years when we have had wet springs. He talked optimal root growth, sand and clay, and pointed out species indicators of certain soil properties around the farm like swedge grasses in the wet areas. We came up with a plan to trial covering half the problem area in a winter Rye cover crop and then using it as a soil building mulch the following spring. We will cut in a path for transplants and take photos throughout the season to document any differences we see and relay that information to him. The idea is to build up organic matter to absorb some of the water pressure that builds in that area, likely a below surface saturation problem due to the top of the hill draining into the pond. We will also seed tillage radishes this fall as a winter killed cover crop across most of the garden to help break up compaction. Overall, the meeting left me extremely energized and excited to trial some practice changes in the areas of the garden that he suggested. Leaving a farm meeting excited especially in September at the end of a long season feels like a huge success.

In the share: Please take 8 items

• Red Slicing Tomtatoes

• Red Onions

• Yellow Onions

• Kale

• Sweet Peppers

• Jalepenos

• Eggplant

• Green Beans

• Carrots

• Chioggia Beets

• Chard

• Parsley

• Celery

• Butternut Squash

• Sungolds

• Potatoes