July 26

Today felt good and productive. We harvested carrots, yellow squash, zucchini, broccoli and cucumbers. Also weeded some new broccoli rows. They are so happy now!

The broccoli we harvested was the last crop from that row. A task of mine on one of my first few days here was to plant those broccoli seeds. They have germinated, been watered and weeded, grown and been harvested. Now that area is done for the year. This the first--of many, I'm sure--full circles in the field.

Now, she will mow the broccoli row down, then till under the remaining greenery. We'll let that sit for a little while and begin to breakdown. This adds needed organic matter to the soil. Then, we'll plant a cover crop on the area (oats, clover and something called "hairy vetch" are all popular choices) and let that, along with the remains of the broccoli, re-nourish the soil over the fall and winter. In the spring, it will again be tilled and will be ready to plant.

Something other than a "brassica" will be planted there next year. That plant family (including broccoli, cauliflower, mustard seeds, kohlrabi and Brussels sprouts, to name a few) are "heavy feeders" meaning they take a lot of nutrients from the soil. The foliage from the plants as well as the cover crop she chooses will help rebuild the soil through the rest of the summer, fall and winter.

Wow. I guess I am learning stuff, huh?!?