Update from the KafkA Shack - Philosophical (and Practical) Observations on Gardening
These guys are still small (was thinning out the rows a bit for the others) but they taste great! So sweet.
I am not a professional gardener. No, far from it. This is pretty much my first go-round with a real garden.
In this post I’ll be posting some photos of our progress here in KafkAland, and discussing some of the challenges, lessons learned so far, and victories we’ve experienced with our garden.
First of all, just the fact that things grow is amazing to me. Of course everybody knows this, but to put a seed in the ground, and watch it firsthand, day by day, is an entirely different experience qualitatively. Those of you who have children will also know what I mean. Life is really a miracle (one doesn’t need to be religious to experience this) and fascinating to watch. There is a natural order to the unfolding of the genetic code. The structure, order, beauty, and “patience”/adaptability of biology and the life force of living things can teach us a lot, I think.
But, I digress, and I am waxing philosophical again, as is my tendency. Let’s move on!
What’s in the garden at present:
String beans.
Potatoes.
Sunflowers.
Corn.
Pumpkins.
Watermelon.
Carrots.
Challenges.
First and biggest: I don’t know what I am doing! This is kind of fun, though. With help from my anarchist farmer friend @nicksikorski, YouTube, and folks in the community, I am learning as I go, and implementing my own style along the way. Lots to learn!
Bugs. Have been working on natural pesticides as we are going the organic route, but they seem to be, so far, only somewhat effective. Any ideas you may have, dear reader, are greatly appreciated!
Mysterious “non-growers.” This is likely a soil/nutrient/temperature issue, but sometimes, for reasons unbeknownst to me, shit just doesn’t thrive. The anarchist approach to planting (thanks, Nick ;)) is helping me to combat this, though, by just trying a million different things and seeing what works, and where. Oftentimes it’s not what I’ve expected.
Things I am learning:
PATIENCE. Sometimes it seems like nothing is happening for a long time, and then, bam! a little sprout pops up! Nature waits patiently for the right conditions, and will 100% persevere if they are met! I think this can teach us a lot about our own personal development as well.
PERSISTENCE. The partner to patience. Even when things aren’t visibly progressing, Keep watering, weeding, and caring. Things are moving beneath the surface!
ENJOYMENT. Just being outside for the sake of being outside. Watching the plants. Talking to them (yes, I think this helps). Wandering around in your garden and thinking about things. It’s good stuff.
Well, I guess that’s about it. I’ll leave you with one final picture. As anarchist, wholesome, philsophical, fun, and human as it gets...
Eating food we’ve grown ourselves!
~*~
~KafkA
Graham Smith is a Voluntaryist activist, creator, and peaceful parent residing in Niigata City, Japan. Graham runs the "Voluntary Japan" online initiative with a presence here on Steem, as well as DLive and Twitter. (Hit me up so I can stop talking about myself in the third person!)
In my country every day the food is more expensive, that's why I have adopted small spaces at home, to plant some herbs that help us to give flavor to the meals, until now the watering daily and at the same time, along with the feeding of the soil, with food remains, has been the most natural way to help in its development, it is really exciting to see your sowing grow.
That is great! Good on ya! Thanks very much for your kind words.
Good growin'. My carrots usually take two years to produce, but it's pretty tough conditions here.
great photos!
your own harvest is the tastiest in the world!
omnonnom, little sweet boy;))
Harvested some carrots already? Eating Fresh Veges are the best part of growing them at home 😊 bugs are pain...my mom bring some lady big to get rid of aburamushi! Lady bugs eat them 👌
That's a good idea :)
Yes, things growing quite quickly down this way.
Warm enough up there to shut off the heater yet?
No, it’s pretty chilly here and raining, so I have heartier on right now 😭
Boom. Here you go, congrats little farmer guys!
Cheers brother!
Wishing you all the best in your gardening efforts. Experience is the best teacher and am sure pretty soon you will have learnt tons and gotten good harvests. BTW what happened to the beehive, any bees so far?
No bees yet. I think I need to contact the local beekeeper's society. They usually can put folks on a waiting list for wild swarms people find and want removed...
I'm still trying. Want some honey!
It looks very delicious.wonderful!!
The stuff that comes directly out of gardens is the best! And from observation of the people I know that like gardening, philosophy seems like part of the territory.
I'm noticing that about them, as well!
Companion planting is an excellent way to improve your garden. Some plants replenish nutrients lost by another one, and some combinations effectively keep pests away.
BTW your have a nice collection of veggies in your garden.
Thanks for this. I need to investigate and study companion planting, because I've been thinking about that a lot: How can I replant after harvesting without depleting the soil?
Congratulation on the harvest. That's the best thing about growing own food, the joy of seeing the results!
Yes!
Yay!
Thanks for the upvote and resteemed, you are kind!