With all the rain we’ve had this season, it feels like nature has been more enemy than ally. Landon and I have been dashing around the farm for the past few weeks, fighting against nature’s arsenal of weather, pests, and disease to save our veggies. As in any conflict, we’ve had to choose our battles and not all have been victorious.
The picture above offers a side-by-side of two conflicts: one that we’re currently winning and the other an unconditional surrender. The tomatoes and sweet potatoes on the left have endured the 15″ of rain over the past five weeks with remarkable tenacity. They are now weeded and fertilized and ready to continue the fight. The lima beans and sweet corn on the right have waved the white flag.
Being at odds with nature is an uncomfortable position for an organic farmer. Our lifestyle is motivated by a respect for the earth, but it doesn’t feel like we’re on the best of terms these days. We’ll keep working though and hope that, one day, we can get back in her good graces.