Vacuuming Weeds
- At July 18, 2011
- By Molly Chester
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Let’s be frank… pretty much everything growing in our garden right now was on a wing and a prayer. We folded in a bunch of dried out horse manure because we don’t have any compost yet, which we’re hearing is not even the best manure for gardens. (I’d love to hear your thoughts on horse manure vs. say cow or sheep.) Planted good seed, watered, weeded and that’s about it. Plus, we’re growing organically, which according to someone’s theory, should cause more problems, but being a total newbie who’s getting results, I beg to differ. I’m not saying it won’t be hard to get better and really hard to get great, but if I can do it pretty well, it might not be all that scary in the first place. I mean, take a look at this chard…
Back to the opening picture, can you believe how weedless it is? And, no thanks to me. Oh, I weeded. I’ve weeded a lot, but after getting behind, I called in backup. A wonderful woman named Maria from Hungary, who grew up knowing that last week wasn’t actually the best time to weed because the moon was becoming full and other equally amazing knowledge, signed up for a couple days work, and when we surveyed her finished product, my dad exclaimed, “Holy cow, did you vacuum?” Check out this pile of weeds…
I’ve been reading ALL of your comments with regards to how you care for weeds, and please do not hesitate to leave more. I’m like a sponge for gardening knowledge right now. The whole purpose of this garden and next year’s is to figure out what the heck we are doing, so that year three, we will hopefully have a full-on farmer’s market operation alongside the fruit from the orchard. And, you all seem to have so much applicable knowledge. I’m all ears!
Speaking of ears, check out this cool heirloom corn that’s flowering.
And beets! Oh, how I love thee. I’m thinking Beet Kvass, or boiled in 24-Hour Chicken Stock, then tossed with butter, s/p and parsley. What’s your trick?
When I do weed, I like to think about what I’m going to do with each plant while it’s just a bitty sprout. The stillness and routine of weeding creates the most magical space for wandering thoughts.
The pumpkins (above) are going to TOWN. I think they are going to have to be quarantined next year. I tried to give ’em room this year, but they expanded beyond my wildest dreams. If I think too hard about how fast they grow, it almost freaks me out.
So, things are alive and well in the Apricot Lane Farm garden. How are things with yours?
xo – Organic Spark
Thanks DAD for the great shots this week!
I wrote this post while participating in the Sowing Millions Project by Real Food Media on behalf of Seeds of Change. I received product and exclusive content to facilitate my post. My thoughts and opinions are my own and not those of Real Food Media or Seeds of Change.
10 comments
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Sherry
Can you share more about pulling weeds by the moon?
July 18, 2011 -
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Molly Chester
Hi Sherry, I am still learning about this, but Maria said that the energy is going outward before and during the full moon (think crazy drivers, etc.), which makes it an ineffective time to weed b/c the growth will just keep coming outward. However, after the full moon the energy is going inward, which means that when you pull the weed, it will last much longer. I asked Maria to extrapolate for me, and when I get more information, I will do a blog about it. So fascinating, right!
July 24, 2011
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Dad
Thanks for the thanks on the photos, but your friends on your blog can look forward to the pro returning in a few weeks.
July 18, 2011 -
Georgia Pellegrini
Wow, I wish I had a woman named Maria around here. I have SO much weeding to do this week it’s insane!
July 18, 2011
Mom
I only wish I could take Maria back to GA. I suspect in our absence we have plenty of weeds awaiting us. She did one amazing job. And tonight, we enjoyed one amazing batch of Chard-compliments Chef Molly (who finally had time to step back into the kitchen where she shines!) Oh that we were still going to be here for those tomatoes! My oh my.
susan
I am so impressed. We need to make a date…I am so anxious to come and visit! xx
john Chester
Wow!… is all I can say.
Marla
Molly amazing work you are doing there! Great workout too ;) The heirloom corn is gorgeous.
Amanda
We used horse manure this year and its been a little but of a nightmare! Not only are things not growing as well as we would have liked, but the manure also happened to bring along a HUGE variety of new weeds to contend with.. the biggest and fastest growing weeds I have ever seen! So, while we thought we were being wise to add it, I am not sure its helping. :) Yours looks MUCH better BTW!
Molly Chester
Amanda – I hear you girl. Those weeds do grow in horse manure don’t they! Things are growing for us, but our radishes weren’t as good as expected and one of our farm workers, Flavio, feels that it was due to the horse manure. Our cucumbers struggled for the same reason. Dang manure! :)