Sometimes you just have to bring out the heavy equipment to get the job done. The interns didn’t believe me when I said I was bringing in my electric chainsaw to finish cleaning out the Rimol greenhouse. Sandy the sunflower and her many friends needed to make a move to the compost pile to go full circle and nourish the next generation of sunflowers. It took both Annie and Genevieve to haul her out. Now we have space for more serious plantings of cucumbers, beets, Swiss chard, and an experimental squash called Becks that grows on a trellis.
Genevieve and Shannon made 500 soil blocks and planted 1,500 beet seeds which will grow next to the climbing cucumbers. I read that oregano is a deterrent for those dreaded striped cucumber beetles, so we have some potted up ready to try this out. When brushed or disturbed by wind, herbs give off essential oils that confuse insects. I’m not a fan of oregano since it has such an aggressive growth habit, but the bees love the flowers and a few pots seem less problematic.
The Fix-It Team was barely finished setting up the soaker hoses and tightening all the leaks in the Rimol greenhouse when we were right behind them with broadforks, compost, and a trellis. We are eager to get this greenhouse planted!
The Telling Room campers were at the farm all week. What great weather for a creative writing day camp at the farm. They took time everyday to help us with some different activities–weeding and singing with Ian, hauling wood chips, and a “cooking from the farm” class led by Cada. I overheard lots of imaginations running wild as they worked alongside each other. I wonder how those thoughts were transferred to paper?
We harvested pumpkin, green bean and amaranth leaves this week. I found recipes for the pumpkin and green bean leaves, and we simply steamed the amaranth. Everyone had a favorite. It’s another one of those learning opportunities that we get to experience at the farm and then share with others. These foods are part of our goal to grow more culturally preferred foods for our communities around southern and midcoast Maine. Several varieties of eggplant and hot peppers will be added to the deliveries in August.
Our potluck this week had a theme of “what’s on the farm”. There were just 4 of us this week, but we managed to include cabbage, chard, onions, beets, herbs, and CAKE! Okay so that is technically not what is growing on the farm, but those of you who know me know that chocolate cake is an essential food group. Everyone brought something delicious and special to share….but Sophia brought a beet cake! I want to point out that all our interns are living in situations not conducive to cooking/baking. They go to extreme measures under adverse conditions to contribute to our Friday potlucks. Again, Sophia brought cake! Not only did I have a piece at lunch, she allowed me to bring a piece home! Okay enough about cake….or can there be enough?
We had a lesson in assembly line bouquet making on Friday. Christine asked for 12 bouquets to put in two stores for donations and to raise awareness about G2G. The interns are getting really good at picking and arranging quickly. Fridays seem to be the day for bouquet arranging if anyone is interested in volunteering for this job. No skills necessary–we can teach you!
Saturday was a busy, but good day with lots of Saturday regular volunteers and five families from All Saints Parish with their Faith Coordinator, Amy. What a fun group! We started off with a short farm tour, picked some cabbage leaves to use as fans, and then fed them to the goats. Then they were off to plant another 100 summer squash plants/seeds. They accomplished that so quickly they asked for another project. Adelle brought out the broadforks. They really had fun as they prepped another plot for us. I had a couple of parents ask if we had kid-friendly tasks if they came back to volunteer again. Yes we do! We have kids 3 to 93, and I believe most have some fun while they are at the farm.
Our Made in Maine white cedar benches were placed out into the garden. One faces into the beautiful beneficial hedgerow in our upper field, and we decided the other one was perfect up against the willows looking at the herb garden. I got my friends to sit for a moment and enjoy the view. All are welcome to do so, too!
Remember our once a year FarmYard Jam is coming up on August 6th. Looking for some extra help that afternoon/evening. If you can help please email Patty at patty@growingtogive.farm.
Also, looking for rain, if anyone has any extra to share. 🙂
Thanks,
Theda