Though illness and inclement weather have conspired against us – classic March in Kentucky – I’m happy to say that there is a palpable buzz around the school for the beginning of the growing season proper, and there are many exciting things to report. In the last month, we’ve gotten several hundred seedlings of various and sundry varieties planted and/or potted up – so much that flats have spilled over from the indoor grow light area and greenhouse into the high tunnels.
1st period Agricultural Science class hard at work direct-seeding spring veggies in High Tunnel #2. You know the growing season is here when you can get excited about gardening even at 8 in the morning.
Direct-seeded broccoli, cabbage, and assorted greens are sprouting in force, thanks to the warmth afforded by our GA high tunnels. Rows of onions acquired from Cooperative Extension set beside their natural companion, our old friend the October-planted garlic. Crowns of Jersey Knight asparagus, also sourced through Extension, are waiting to go in the raised beds, to provide the school with the spring delicacy for years – decades, with any luck – to come.
Our darling Reuben the rooster cannot contain his excitement about the installation of our new PVC high tunnels.
Speaking of long-term, we are also in the process of emphasizing soil health by manuring then spring/summer cover cropping some of our more marginal soils, while setting some of the more prime plots aside as permanent beds. In the recently-tilled creek-bottom field, flanked by young low-bush blueberry plants, the soil waits to be disked, tilled, and hilled for our Three Sisters corn/beans/squash scheme.
Pushing the growing season for the peas paid off; our February-planted peas are now almost 3 ft tall and ready to go to pod.
All for one; the three musketeers of flat irrigation.
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