Friday, March 20, 2015

Buddha in the land, crops in the ground.


It's been a weird weather year; I think most of us citizens of Planet Earth can agree on that much, if nothing else.  Here on the Central Coast, it feels almost like the end of spring already.  We had our first 90 degree day last week and the hills are still green but have a brownish cast to them now, as no rain and hot weather has put an end to new growth. It's sad,  but there's not much I can do about it so it's just something to accept.  Very Buddhist of me, I know.

But with this very warm weather, I'm wondering whether to push up the schedule for spring planting. The lesson I learned the hard way in years past is to never plant much outside before Mother's Day, as both crazy late freezes and punishing winds can destroy tender plants before that date.  

But things seem to be very mild, and so I'm mulling over what to do...take a risk and plant, or wait?

Right now I have a lovely crop of spring lettuce, green onions, and red onions in the ground -- typical winter/spring crops that don't mind the cold or wind.  But I also have cukes and zukes sprouting in the conservatory, and will sprout my tomato seeds tonight. And pumpkins will need planting next week as well.  

And so the endless dilemma....when to plant all these lovelies once they're ready to go outside?

In other news, Big Ag has a week off between jobs and will probably be putting in fence posts in the pasture so we can keep livestock on a rotational-grazing basis.  My only dilemma is that I absolutely love the spring wildflowers, and want to make absolutely sure that we don't graze the land to a point where these beautiful flowers don't come up in spring anymore.  


There is, literally, no property around here that has the wildflowers we do, and so it's a serious concern. I am torn between cute sheep and beautiful wildflowers, and I know which one is native and belongs here.  So the livestock question is still that -- a question -- but fencing is a good investment that does nothing to destroy the seasonal meadow, so we'll get that far and see how we feel.

This stewardship thing sometimes feels like a heavy burden, and I am sure others don't worry about it like I do.  But I feel a deep sense of responsibility to pass this land on, someday, in at least as good condition as we got it in.  Which means spring grasses and wildflowers.  

So I will say what I say about all the potential projects around here we could jump into, which is....we shall see, my friends. But I have to err on the side of compassion, which means having compassion for the natural landscape as much as any animals we could care for. So in my very best Dalai Lama voice, I say, we shall see. 

P.S. We have a landscape designer coming this morning to help us with extending our patio area and removing another good swath of grass, all in the name of water conservation.  I'm excited to see what we can imagine together! 

7 comments:

  1. I like how you put a lot of thought into everything you do. I'm sure whatever decision you come to will be the right one as you consider the issues from all angles.

    I sure wish I could send some of our water your way! The snow is melting and the ground is completely saturated. We've been lucky that is hasn't rained much because melting snow + rain=serious flooding. The temps are still rather cold which is why I think the rains haven't come yet. It's a trade-off.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I wish you could too, Molly! My heart always breaks when I see the flooding back there and yes, what a lot of wasted water. I too wish we could find some way to transfer it out west!

      Delete
  2. Well I haven't ever lived anywhere except central Ohio, but I have just about always regretted attempts to rush the season. Although it does seem weather patterns are quite stubborn nowadays and stick for a while. I've been expecting one more snowstorm and it doesn't seem to be on its way. This week would have been perfect to reseed the raw path in my lawn, so caution may have bitten me! Hope you guys have a nice week for the fence project. I'm tired thinking about it! I would probably be driving out to Amish country to pick up some labor! going to look at (yet another) parcel of land tomorrow...I think this is #473937 I've seen. Maybe it's the one! Do you recall approximately how many rural properties you looked at before you purchased? I'm wondering if I need a therapist instead of a realtor.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stephen, we looked at many -- MANY. It took us about 4 years to find this place. We spent two years in the old place looking for a farm,and then another couple here looking for something rural. What actually forced us to decide was putting our own house on the market. It forced us to choose, otherwise who knows, we might still be looking! But since you're looking at acreage, I think it's good luxury to be able to be patient until you find just the right parcel. My realtor told me she had some clients she'd been helping look for 10 years, so don't feel bad.

      Delete
    2. That makes me feel better! I think I also need to decide if I'm going to just build or not. I hate to jump into building because of the variables, but thinking it may be the best option. At this time :)

      Delete
  3. Hi Stephen - We're almost neighbors! I live in Northeast Ohio, right in the snowbelt. Never lived anywhere else. I wouldn't mind moving to central Ohio. My son lived in Columbus when he was in college and I like that city very much.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Crazy how much more snow you get than we do! It's nice down here. Columbus has most to all the benefits of a real city but it still doesn't feel like a city.
      You would probably enjoy a blog in my blog list called A Curious Gardener. Cindy used to live in NE Ohio and had the most lovely garden among many tall trees. She has since moved south, but you'll enjoy her posts from living up there!

      Delete