Topic — People

Towards the end of May is full-on transplanting time. This season, as we settle in to the new garden, transplanting is less of an all-at-once rush, instead, we’re staggering the planting dates from about the third week of May to early June. Here, Jordan and Marijke—brother and sister, gardening together—put in another 100 or so tomato seedlings, working quickly to beat the next round of rain. Jordan digs a small hole that’s filled with compost and dried alfalfa, then Marijke pops in a plant. The white fabric in the photo is floating row cover, protecting earlier transplants from the risk of frost. On sunny days the cover is pulled back, and replaced in the evening if the weather forecast calls for a chilly night. Tomatoes get extra care!

If it’s May, it must be time to transplant! First out are the more cold-hardy crops, like broccoli and cauliflower, started indoors under lights around six weeks ago. These seedlings can still be affected by a really cold, frosty night, but for most May conditions, they should do fine. Especially in spring, risk and a little gambling against the weather are central to the market garden.

And then there’s the transplant party…!

A huge part of this tiny farm’s experience are the people! Here, Chris, Libby, Jordan, and Lynn (l to r) are putting in broccoli. It may look like a big crew for a small farm, but we’re not striving for super-intensive fieldwork, a few people rushing to get a zillion plants in the ground in a single session  (though enough days like that happen, too!). Instead, the focus is on efficient ways to get things done, and easy-going, hands-on learning as everyone gets more skilled with each farm day…

You’re welcome to come check us out, even lend a hand!