Hello. I am Haratake, a part-time farmer.
And so, I started growing crops in two fields. I do this within the scope and time that does not interfere with my main job as an office worker. Yes, it is important not to overdo it. I am careful not to cut back on my sleep time.
Field 1 is a community garden of over 50 square meters. I just gave it a name recently. As summer arrives, the crops—or rather, the weeds—are thriving. I understand that one of the key points of natural farming is not to mow the weeds, so I let them grow freely. However, if I don’t lay down mulch properly, it becomes difficult to distinguish between the crops and the weeds. There have also been sad accidents where I accidentally cut the beans while doing partial weed removal to promote photosynthesis.
(Photo: Field 1 yesterday)
When I first started farming, I gave Field 1 an abundance of chicken manure and chemical fertilizers, as if to say, “Grow big, vegetables!” However, based on my own observations, this resulted in two issues: ① The taste and smell of the vegetables became faintly fertilized, and ② The vitality of the vegetables seemed to weaken, such as becoming more prone to rotting. I haven’t conducted a proper statistical analysis, but this is my impression.
Therefore, I am now trying to minimize the use of fertilizers and create soil conditions closer to those found in nature, such as using leaf mold. I have heard that cows do not eat grass in the area where they have defecated for five years. They may know that grass growing on manure that has not fully decomposed contains high levels of nitrate nitrogen, which is harmful to their health.
Then, I harvested a few scallions at harvest time and picked the young shoots of edamame beans that had started to flower. This is supposed to make the stems plump and thick.
(Photo: This morning’s scallions)
(Photo: Picking the young shoots. Around the center of the photo)
After that, I moved to Field No. 2, a 350-square-meter plot I borrowed this spring. Lately, there has been little rain and hot days have continued, so the crops seem to be tired. Or maybe it’s just that time of year. I mowed the grass a bit, so it feels even more tiring.
The corn suddenly lost its vigor about a week ago and started to wither rapidly. Normally, when the corn silk turns brown, it’s time to harvest, but the kernels are completely empty. What could be the cause? Is it the high temperatures, or perhaps the lack of water? I hadn’t been watering the corn much at all.
(Photo: Corn with no kernels)
Additionally, most of the small eggplants and tomatoes I planted a week ago have withered. I had been watering them almost daily at home for about two months, but I think the four days I didn’t come to the field and water them were the cause. Since morning dew was quite abundant, I had been reassured that even the eggplants wouldn’t wither, but they couldn’t withstand the extreme heat that began in August.
However! There’s one surviving eggplant and one surviving tomato plant each!! Somehow, I was encouraged by these tiny lives.
(Photo: Surviving tomato plant)
They’re this small as of August, but I wonder what will happen from here on. Until next time.
