Volunteers from Hancock UCC, Lexington Methodist, Trinity Covenant and Climate Summer (orange shirts)
Weather: Overcast and muggy, but miraculously no rain despite forecast of 80% probability
Climate Summer and Harvest Crew
This morning we had 5 riders from Climate Summer join us for work at the garden. These college-age interns are spending their summer bicycling around Eastern Massachusetts connecting with local partners to highlight and educate those interested in current climate-related issues. This team’s focus is on the Algonquin Pipeline, a major delivery channel for natural gas to New England. Spectra Energy, the pipeline’s owner, is looking to increase the throughput of the pipeline. But with that objective comes controversy about the amount of methane gas leakage, pipeline integrity to withstand more pressure and throughput, and other concerns about its environmental impact. They have been hosted in Lexington for the past few days and pedal off tomorrow to their next location. We were glad to have their support at the Garden…as well as have an opportunity to learn more about a current issue happening in our “backyard.”
Laura and Carla Picking Radishes
Volunteers from Trinity Covenant and Climate Summer cleaning radishes and lettuce before delivery to the Lexington Food Pantry.
It’s always interesting to see what we are harvesting. Crops come and go. For instance the last time I worked we were picking pounds and pounds of bok choy. Today? None. However, I know there will be more before too long. Laurel pointed out to me the 2 rows of seedlings she planted 2 weeks ago. They are growing rapidly and will be ready to pick soon. (See picture at left.) All the pea pods got picked and the plants pulled. Soon broccoli and cabbage will be transplanted over there from their “nursery” in the small garden. Today I saw carrots and cabbage ready for delivery for the first time I’ve been working. And so it goes. In all we harvested 13 different varieties of produce, totaling over 40 pounds. The haul included parsley, mint, basil, beets, kale, radishes, lettuce, carrots, Swiss chard, cabbage, peas, sugar snaps, and oriental pea pods.
Another volunteer shared what she learned last time she was at the garden…namely, that sometimes rabbits in the garden can be a beneficial thing. It turns out that a single Peter Cottontail will generally only eat what he needs and as he nibbles some of the greens, many plants respond by growing back hardier. The problem is making sure that Peter doesn’t come back with his whole family. It is similar to Carla reminding us often of the plants that produce more if you regularly pick or harvest them. You just have to do it right. For instance when we selectively harvest greens, like chard, kale, and even parsley, we are directed to cut the 3 largest leaves and go on to the next plant. Regular cutting like this promotes robust growth.
Climate Summer Volunteers washing lettuce