Student Plots!

Hello there followers,

It's been a while since our last post, but so much has been accomplished in the past two weeks!  We've faced hardships (losing nearly ALL our broccoli to the heat) but we've also had some wonderful successes [the lettuce look GREAT, even though everyone said the heat would devastate them, the student plots are amended, we have warded off bunnies for good (for now)].

The fences are up!

In addition to the six research plots we amended with calcite limestone and either compost or organic fertilizers, we are each in charge of two personal plots for growing whatever we please.  Lobsang is growing watermelon under two conditions - with and without nasturtium - to see whether the flowers effectively ward off an herbivorous beetle species particularly attracted to watermelon.  Shristi is growing mei qing choi, hot peppers, and cucumbers, comparing the composted cow manure we purchased from  Barstow's to the compost we have (quite successfully!) made in the garden.  I am growing butternut squash, basil, an array of flowers, arugula, and spinach, with nothing in mind but butternut squash ravioli come September and fresh salads all summer :).  Shristi and I are collaborating on a pumpkin and squash patch, as well!

 Lobsang amending her plots with composted cow manure.

 Finished, planted plots: Lobsang's watermelon and nasturtium.

 Watermelon, pumpkin patch, and my personal plots in the distance.

Shristi dedicates some TLC to her cucumbers, hot peppers, and mei qing choi.

We each amended our plots with composted cow manure and differed in our amendments for organic fertilizers and essential minerals.  Lobsang, for instance, used cow manure, calcite limestone, and a few nitrogen- and potassium-rich fertilizers to enhance the fertility of her soil and try to balance the acidity.  I used composted cow manure and pel lime to increase the content of organic matter and also make the soil less acidic (with a pH of 5.1, my plot is the most acidic).

The food scraps we began to compost in late May/early June is finally ready for sifting and use in the garden, and we have used it to pot tomatoes, basil, hot peppers, dill, parsley, and mint.  We now have a continuous cycle through our three-step station of freshly-deposited food scraps, plant waste, lawn clippings, leaf litter, etc., earthy-looking decomposing material that has been in-the-works for three or so weeks, and a bin of completed compost ready for use!

 Bet you can't tell which half is soil and which half is compost!

 Sifting through compost to use to pot plants...it is beautiful.

Dill, basil, hot peppers, parsley, and mint, potted with a mixture of composted cow manure and 1837's own!

In an effort to ward off the bunnies, which are running rampant this year not only in South Hadley but all across the Valley (UMass even has a warning out!), we have installed chicken wire fences around each research plot and around the perimeter of the student plots.  We have also invested in some Bobbex-R, a solution made of various ingredients that simply deter rabbits from nibbling on our precious plants!  Garlic, hot peppers, and various oils are the main ingredients.  The water-resistant repellant is sprayed every 10-14 days and has thus far effectively warded off bunnies, squirrels, chipmunks, and other little ground critters!

 Protecting the plants.

 Our beautiful, beautiful lettuce:)

The little bug bites are the least of our worries with the broccoli!  This is from the plot with the most surviving brocc...most has withered and shriveled up due to heat and high humidity:(

Shristi is convinced that Bobbex-R smells like "tasty garlic pasta sauce".  Lobsang and I, however, would beg to differ.

The South Hadley Farmer's Market is still running strong and will continue through October.  Come by to support local farmers, bakers, and artisans on Thursdays from 1-6 PM!

Now that everything is in the ground, the best we can do is observe our plants, keep them watered and cool in this hot heat of July, keep the weeds out, and hope for rain!  And since we last blogged I have received my Fleet License, which allows me to rent a Fleet vehicle and take it on any business-related trips..so watch out for posts on any CSAs, farms, urban gardens, artists, and more that we will visit in the future!

The transplants ride in style.

Peace, love, and veggies :)

Until next,
Allison