Spring came early this year and with it brings the light green leaves of the fruit trees, the berries, and the perennials bounce back to life three weeks ahead of schedule. What does this means to us gardening fanatics?Many questions and loads of thoughts about water use, cover crops and crop covers.Let’s face it, we panic a little,getting much more mulch on the garden beds because we are all talking about how dry a year it will be.Although I live very local, I am reminded about the global scale of this and with colleagues I bicker and wonder just how will the “dust bowl” be able to continue producing with such limited water resources? Climate change and water use are getting more attention when records show it was the hottest March since 1880. Today I read on environmental guru dot com that “for each 1% increase in soil organic matter, soil can store an additional 20,000 gallons of water. That water can come in handy for growing crops if /when there is a drought, and probably explains why farmers who used cover crops to improve their soil weathered the historic 2012 drought better than those who did not use cover crops. Healthy soil is surrounded by healthy water, ecosystems, and people. When soil thrives, so do the ecosystems, water, and people around it, because healthy soil can soak up so much water and is protected from erosion, it helps prevent polluted runoff from contaminating water. This means cleaner water for people to fish in, swim in, and drink!”
So once again the cost of fruits, vegetables and nuts will increase, and make it even more difficult to afford clean nutritious food.Let’s say that is reason # six thousand, four hundred and twenty nine why I am happier then ever knowing just how much effort, energy, joy and money it takes to grow and eat real food.The price of my produce is affordable and is the best anyone can do for their families health and wellness. The local conditions and the specific micro climate on our farm brings the rush of spring planting faster and harder down upon us.So if you are farming or supporting the local organic food security movement you will be happy to hear that your early season organic vegetables are up and out of the ground already.Some of us organic food producers listened to our guts and took a leap of faith with their crops .We got a jump on the early year and against the recommended planting times went for it anyway.Many farmers are happy to report huge success with their early germination rates and steady growth of plants.Already growing here on our homestead, we have 2 rows of peas up strong, as well as 300 garlic plants, two rows of onions, a row of kale and three vigorous rows of salad greens including spinach and three varieties of lettuce.Our beets and carrots are up and on their way as well.Our neighbours and csa green box recipients are very excited to know that they will eat the best of the best earlier this year than ever before.
Does the early spring mean a shorter, cooler fall this season?Will my late season crops fail in comparison to the previous years?Only time will tell, and setting a positive mind for success is half the battle of growing your own organic vegetable.Believe in your ability to work the soil and start a small garden.The real success is in your own health benefits, the actual nutrition and the self regulation or self control of what you get to feed yourself with.What you put into your body and the strength and health you will have from this simple and satisfying act of growing your own food. It is never too late, c’mon get growing.