My reference to windows in this context is a limited time period in the weather allowing for specific farm work; currently, I mean a break in the rainy weather – enough time for the soils to dry so that we can till and plant our field crops.
About 2 months ago, my post read A More Normal Spring – indicating that after 3 years of wet springs, we were having normal spring weather – ie, the absence of small windows; that turned out to be premature. It is being another incredibly wet spring – with small windows.
In an average year (actually, I’m not sure there is such a thing anymore), all of our spring crops would be planted by now: sorghum, field corn, popcorn, corn for seed for SESE (Southern Exposure Seed Exchange), soybeans, pinto & black beans. Right now only about half of our sorghum crop is planted – and none of the others. Earlier this spring, we had windows when we could have planted these crops but it was too cool for us organic producers. A week ago, we had a 3 day window in which to work down the green manure crop & weeds, and plant. We transplanted/planted about half of our sorghum crop; we could have planted more, but the weather was once again cool and the green manure crop was not all dead yet – so we decided not to plant more. Was it the right choice?
It is still too early to tell – why? Since we practice organic methods, we depend on good soil conditions for seed germination and weed control. In seasons of small windows, we are at a distinct disadvantage compared to our conventional neighbors; eg, in that last 3 day window, they finished all their planting: their seeds are treated with fungicides so that if the weather turns cool, the seeds will not rot and/or be picked apart by fungi. Further, they don’t have green manure crops and so what if there are still weeds in the field when they plant? They will be taken care of by an herbicide spray later. In our case, non-treated seed germination depends on how wet and/or warm the soils are; eg. even though I planted the sorghum seed a week ago, and some plants have poked above the ground, I am still not sure that the germination will be consistent enough for a crop – or that the crop will not be totally swamped with weeds.
For me, small windows are similar to niche markets: we often have to make snap decisions with little/no info to guide us. We don’t know until much later whether they were good decisions – depending on weather or changes in the marketplace. How to make these decisions? by the seat of your pants? consult your favorite oracle? prayer? At various times, I’ve done all of these. I have no definitive answers/results.
Small windows in agriculture make for stress. Oh well, I am trying to embrace small windows – I assume there is some kind of lesson to be learned here. Here’s to more lessons in life!
September 6, 2011 at 4:51 am |
Ran across this blog and wondering how the windows opened; may be visiting at the very beginning of Nov, staying @ Milkweed for a night. In MI, it was very wet and cool spring, with a hot blast and then back to rain, rain, for like a month. Got a lot of webwork done. This summer then blasted with some heat and especially humidity, though that didn’t last as long, probably because of the moderating lake effect of Lake MI? But it was start and stop, and lots of rain, with no super intense drought-y Aug. as is the norm; basement flooded like 5 times because of rains. My tomatoes were molding as they were ripening. (But that’s misty, magickal, mystical, moldy, mildewy MI mitten (- digimagicnb c.2007-2011))
Could one not use some anti-fungal herbs/weed extracts, like lavender stems? Though that’s maybe more $ and inefficient?
Looking forward to tasting the sorghum! -nb
January 9, 2012 at 4:49 pm |
AWESOME!! that is truly inspiring!
Making the most of wherever you are at – it’s about the best any of us can do, eh? From all the products & activities you noted, it seems that you have found a way to grow some of your own food: as far as I’m concerned – that’s the best – no matter where you are. The simple (actually, not simple at all) of growing our own food connects us to the vital life forces all around us in a way that benefits us in ways that are hard to describe/put a value on. Feeling connected to the land, nature, & nonhuman energies is so rewarding in itself. As far as i’m concerned, that’s what we need (not all this politics…..). Currently, our society has a NDD (nature deficit disorder). And the opposite is immediately rewarding – you know what i mean: that feeling of instant connecting to folks who relate to the connectedness of all beings/the web of life.
blessed be!
stan
ps. when i began this blog, it was an impulse – i was not sure why i was doing it. I now realize – this kind of interaction/connection is what i wanted.
January 9, 2012 at 2:05 am |
I love my place in Green Bay although it is just two city lots, the diversity that we have grown here is thriving in the East River Valley. As the river winds past us it is estuary, so the moderating effects associated with the river are enhanced. At last count, we were over two dozen perennial food crops. the more organics we incorporate into our beds, laid out radially from around where the tipi used to stand, the more heavy the production, the less weeds and the more frost free days we experience. we have been getting double the rainfall of the local reporting station at the airport, just southwest about three to four miles as the crow flies. Between here and there lie several major energy intensive factories. Their hot air discharge creates a nearly invisible high pressure ridge, like an extremely steep mountain range of warm moist air. The fallout from their uplift is most severe with the prevailing southwest winds. when the winds come from the northwest, as in spring, fall and winter, the effect is created by the coal burning electric generating station at the river mouth and the associated paper converting factories. we benefit and pay an extreme tax for the climatic disruptions. Making the best of tinier and tinier windows seems to be the answer to creating separate age classes of our annual production which tends to take a little pressure off at harvest time as well. Occasionally, we can even catch our breath between canning pickles and tomato products. sometimes we even get a break after the green tomato chutneys and the sweet, sweet carrot harvest.
remember, small changes, sit back and watch, I’m sure that you will see opportunities, even if they are occasionally through the tiniest of windows.
Blessed Be! Tony