Farm journal 2009 10-13, More Strawberries
High: 102.0 Low 68.0 Rain 0
Started the morning with the strawberries and David, watering, then covering with remay. Many signs of new growth from the crowns in the first planted ones.
Dug up the remaining strawberries out of the 2 rows in the weeded over C4 area, and placed them in a tray with water. There were about 15. The tray of strawberries spent the day on the lanai in the shade. Looked through the strawberry rows in the S veggie garden. Not many still alive there either. My conclusion is that we should install a 4th loop in the tilled N area and transplant the strawberries from the S, rather than clean up the 2 rows.
During the afternoon, I got some soil from David, and mixed it with the potting soil and used peat pellet fillings, and filled about 3 trays full of 3" peat pots. I need 7 to plant tomatoes and artichoke.
Joe Gaskill surprised us with a visit wanting to see the farm. David was about to come in, and we met him on the lanai. It was about 100 when we were touring. We took him out to the lanai where the germination and growing occurs, to the C4 area, to a panoramic view of the citrus area, then down the moringa trail, through the P orchard, through the pomegranate grove, through the blueberry area, with a peek at the S veggie garden melon area, then down to the N end of the veggie garden. Many seeds burrs stuck to his pants.
It was very depressing. Despite everything we have done, all Joe saw was weeds. We had the areas mowed down a year ago, but now the weeds are 3 to 7 ft tall, and full of seeds. We have hoses and watering tubs running through everywhere, and several things planted, so you can't just mow it down without destroying drip lines and trees. Joe has sophisticated equipment like 0 radius turning tractors, and equipment that can deal with the weeds. We don't have those, and can't afford them. All we have been able to do is carve out a few small areas, and cover in between plants with plastic. We will never succeed the way we are going. It is hopeless to expect to accomplish anything but to grow some plants and get the harvest, which of course will be reduced because the weeds rob nutrients and provide a safe haven for insects. Nothing about our place looks nice right now. The inside is messy in every room, and the outside is messy all over the 12 acres.
Despite wanting to crawl in bed and cry, we went out at 6:00 to uncover and water the strawberries. I planted 10 of the strawberries collected this morning, to fill the 3rd row. David installed the watering tube for the 4th row. Then, of course, I watered the lanai and lawn trays.
Started the morning with the strawberries and David, watering, then covering with remay. Many signs of new growth from the crowns in the first planted ones.
Dug up the remaining strawberries out of the 2 rows in the weeded over C4 area, and placed them in a tray with water. There were about 15. The tray of strawberries spent the day on the lanai in the shade. Looked through the strawberry rows in the S veggie garden. Not many still alive there either. My conclusion is that we should install a 4th loop in the tilled N area and transplant the strawberries from the S, rather than clean up the 2 rows.
During the afternoon, I got some soil from David, and mixed it with the potting soil and used peat pellet fillings, and filled about 3 trays full of 3" peat pots. I need 7 to plant tomatoes and artichoke.
Joe Gaskill surprised us with a visit wanting to see the farm. David was about to come in, and we met him on the lanai. It was about 100 when we were touring. We took him out to the lanai where the germination and growing occurs, to the C4 area, to a panoramic view of the citrus area, then down the moringa trail, through the P orchard, through the pomegranate grove, through the blueberry area, with a peek at the S veggie garden melon area, then down to the N end of the veggie garden. Many seeds burrs stuck to his pants.
It was very depressing. Despite everything we have done, all Joe saw was weeds. We had the areas mowed down a year ago, but now the weeds are 3 to 7 ft tall, and full of seeds. We have hoses and watering tubs running through everywhere, and several things planted, so you can't just mow it down without destroying drip lines and trees. Joe has sophisticated equipment like 0 radius turning tractors, and equipment that can deal with the weeds. We don't have those, and can't afford them. All we have been able to do is carve out a few small areas, and cover in between plants with plastic. We will never succeed the way we are going. It is hopeless to expect to accomplish anything but to grow some plants and get the harvest, which of course will be reduced because the weeds rob nutrients and provide a safe haven for insects. Nothing about our place looks nice right now. The inside is messy in every room, and the outside is messy all over the 12 acres.
Despite wanting to crawl in bed and cry, we went out at 6:00 to uncover and water the strawberries. I planted 10 of the strawberries collected this morning, to fill the 3rd row. David installed the watering tube for the 4th row. Then, of course, I watered the lanai and lawn trays.