My Poor Aching Back...post by: "Farmer Wanna-Be..."

Lambsquarter

My finished rows will sprout beets, turnips, and several variety of carrots!

I spent 4 lovely and challenging hours weeding, digging, cultivating and sowing on my favorite island in the world this past weekend....Vashon. (Vashon is a little island in Puget Sound, just a 15 minute ferry ride from West Seattle). Rebecca, the farm mistress wanted to give me a different experience from last time and had me prep two rows for planting: turnip, beets and several variety of carrots. I had to first weed the long beds and rid them of the lambsquarter (weed), which I learned is part of the quinoa family. Incidentally, it is a lovely weed that is easy to pull from the earth, not to mention, you can also eat the greens from this plant. I think I'll call it a friendly weed!  Next, I dug out compost from the pile and spread it along my rows.  Another important step is the spreading of organic fertilizer. And, yes, more tilling. Finally, it was time to carve out little trenches, plant the seed and sprinkle earth on top. Four hours later I was finished. My poor back was aching but I was proud of myself and my work. I loved every minute of working with the earth and treating it with respect with organic farming practices. I received gifts from nature that day... the gentle breeze from the wind, the heat and golden rays from the sun shining on my face....and music from the birds that sang their hearts out, seemingly just for me... filling the air with their beautiful song...