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| Michele and ElanaSue weeding the beds |
Weeding the beds was high on our agenda today as the wild amaranth was chocking parsley, oregano and eggplant. The stem of the plant is cut just above ground, leaving the root in the beds for organic matter. We harvested two 5-gallon buckets of amaranth from just two beds. Next time you come, bring a plastic bag to take some of these edible weeds home. I had a dinner of steamed amaranth tonight. That so called "weed" is quite delicious and nutritious. Willem Malten, owner of Cloud Cliff Bakery in Santa Fe writes the following about Amaranth, also called "pigweed".
We planted 32 Jalapeno pepper plants in the bush bean beds. Juaquin and I brought these peppers back from our visit to Abbondanza Farm in Colorado.
The fence was relocated to make room for more raised beds.
After the garden party, I couldn't resist going dumpster diving for compost material. Equipped with rubber boots, rubber gloves and a headlamp, I foraged through a large dumpster near REI where the Flying Star Restaurant throws its garbage. Well, garbage for them but compost for me! In 20 minutes, I filled five buckets of vegetable waste and found a large bag of orange rinds. Our compost pile is now almost to the top of the pallets and is cooking at a steady 135-145 degree.
Roy, who came to help at the garden today, is going to look into zoning for this property. The idea of building a small legal dwelling for a resident gardener has been suggested as a component of an urban farm such as Dandelion Ranch. Between the animals, the compost (we pick-up compost from Body every morning) and the garden, it would behove the hosts to have a garden caretaker on the property.
For the next two weeks I will be taking care of the house at Dandelion Ranch as Dan and Giselle went on a road trip with the kids. If our current schedule (Sat. 3-6pm, Wed. 3-6pm) doesn't suit you and you want to come visit (13 turkey eggs are about to hatch any day!), please give me a call 505-796-6006. I will be working in the garden everyday.
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| June 26. First day of gardening at Dandelion Ranch |
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| July 30. |
Who says it's hard to grow food in New Mexico?
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