Permaculture in Action

Friday, February 14, 2014

Market Gardening In A Drought

It has been difficult over the last month or so to get together a good variety of produce for our CSA boxes. The heat and extended drought has proven quite devastating to our harvests. We have been fairly consistent with tomatoes, zucchini, and cucumber, but the salad and other leafy greens have really taken a hammering. Slowly but surley we are pushing through it all and staring to harvest more greens. And the corn is ready also, so we are pleased to be able to deliver a more rounded box today...


We have been able to do away with plastic bags by using recycled plastic containers that our customers return to us each week to be refilled.

When our customers sign up for a subscription they do so knowing that there will be fluctuations due to various farming conditions such as drought, floods, hail etc. But it always feels so much better when the boxes are overflowing than when they're a little under.

4 comments:

  1. Here-here! Well done for toughing it out. The way you farm is so much more forgiving to the environment than mainstream ag. I just wanted to cheer you on for your efforts. Nice idea to recycle plastic containers than add more plastic to the environment. Keep plugging away. I'm sure it doesn't feel like it during weather extremes, but don't stop believing what you're doing is worthwhile - even when the produce is thin on the ground.

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  2. Always nice to see new produce coming on in the garden.
    It's been a massive year for us with tomatoes, zucchinis aren't as prolific but getting a few.
    The egg plant just burn and the cucumbers have struggled.
    Hoping for some rain over the weekend, hope you get some soon Kate.

    Claire :)

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  3. The box looks good Kate! We've only been having zucchini as a constant - everything else is a bonus! Tough summer.

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  4. Your CSA box looks lovely. I didn't even bother with planting anymore greens at the moment as I just couldn't keep the water up to them. Zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes and watermelon is the theme for nearly every meal at my house lately. I have now decided to invest in a watering system as the garden is just to large to water by hand. I measured out all the garden and took it to the irrigation shop and they have helped me work out a system for it. Hopefully I will be able to get it done in the next couple of months. Bring on the rain I say!!

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