Thus far, 2014 is a wonderful year at the farm– not only in the production fields, but in our Seven Generations Garden as well. Amidst much anticipation, this has been the first year in which we’ve integrated a gardening component to our flagship apprenticeship program: now named the Farm and Garden Apprenticeship. While in the garden we’ve utilized a myriad of topics and techniques that complement the skills apprentices learn out in the farm.
The season kicked off in May with a build out of 11 raised beds. Farm manager Monica even managed to bust out a lesson of the Pythagorean theorem to ensure our circular shaped garden maintained equally spaced out beds. As soon as beds were built the planting moved full speed ahead. Numerous garden favorites soon dotted the garden landscape such as cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, beans, peppers and more.
Differentiating the garden from the production fields, varying techniques like companion planting, alternative trellising methods, potted plants and composting are integrated into garden shifts. One newly added feature to the garden was the construction of a teepee in the center garden bed to serve as not only a centerpiece but as a trellis for climbing beans. Additionally, apprentices began inoculating a bed of woods chip with deliciously edible wine cap mushrooms. Our first flush of mushrooms should pop up in 2015.
Upcoming projects still awaiting apprentices are experiences growing micro-greens, straw-bale gardening, and season extension techniques.
Check out some of the pictures on our Facebook page for an updated look at the Seven Generations garden.