Passing showers

What happens when you combine a downpour with one of the dirtiest job at the farm? You get muddy. Really, really muddy.

Tomatoes are done for the season, so Karen and I were pulling out the last 80 Cherry Tomato plants. By October, the vines are everywhere and tangled together. First we take out the stakes. Then you take out the plants. When you rip them out, tomatoes go everywhere. On the ground, in the paths, under your shoes and in your face. Then, the dirt flies around. You gotta pick up all the tomatoes, because they will send up sprouts next spring. While this sounds like a great way to save money on seeds and time on planting, we won't put tomatoes in the same spot next year.

When you garden organically, one important thing to remember is to rotate crops. That means never planting the same vegetable in the same spot the next year (or the year after). At One Love Farm we use a three year rotation plan. So, in 2011 we will be planting lettuce and other greens in the spot where tomatoes flourished this year.

After about four huge wheelbarrows of tomatoes, tomato plants, weeds and dirt, thunder cracked and the skies opened up. Karen and I scrambled to finish up but of course we got soaked and covered in mud. We finished the job and went inside to clean up. An hour later the sun is out. We could go back out for more muddy fun, but I think we're done for the day.