Expect the Unexpected
June 1, 2010
Greetings fellow Gardeners,
This season is usually filled with much growth and first harvests, but we experienced a big surprise here in Tumacacori—several frosts in early May (the last of which culminated on May 10th). We’ve since replanted and transplanted. Most likely others have too. Keep on planting until your gardens are filled. You can then choose succession plantings. The longest days and most sunshine offer lots of potential. Depending on your location and timing, certain plants love it while others get exhausted and need to be replanted every four to six weeks to have a second or third season.
We have been planting bush and pole beans, summer squash varieties and cucumbers, cantaloupes and watermelons, beets and carrots, determinate and indeterminate tomatoes, and greens of all kinds. Greens are prized treasures in the heat; you can grow them all year round if you help them keep cool by providing them shade underneath the okras, pole beans, sunflowers, amaranth and other tall plants. Plant your greens on the east side so they get the first sun and then the afternoon shade. Give them a cooling with water sometime before noon and, if the days require it, add another little bit in the late afternoon. Greens especially benefit from succession plantings since you can’t predict the heat waves, wind gusts, and moisture. Timing is important, but I suggest that you just keep on planting. Once in while the circumstances of all life forces—seen and unseen—create an array of possibilities that are so special. Expect the unexpected, and even if you haven’t thought much of faith when you garden, you can hope and dream—and some of us even pray.
In recent weeks I have thought about immigration—not just political issues but actual plant immigrations. All cultures have watched and experienced plants adapting to the most amazing climates with great and amazing benefits. Some were planned and very much intended, others were surprises. Did you know that many of the common plants we grow and eat had their origins in another country—especially countries south of the border. Let me share some plant origins with you:
Africa: Watermelon, Okra
Asia: Broad bean, Cress, Lettuce, Muskmelon, Onion, Pea, Radish, Rhubarb, Spinach, Cucumber, Endive
Central & South America: Bush Bean, Cucumber, Kidney Bean, Flint Corn, Eggplant, Potato, Scarlet Runner Bean, Sweet Potato, Tomato, Winter Squash, Pumpkin, Pepper
Europe/Asia: Asparagus, Chinese Cabbage, Water Cress, Dandelion, Horseradish, Cauliflower, Carrot
Europe: Beet, Pole Beans, Celery, Swiss Chard, Kale, Brussels Sprouts, Kohl Rabi, Cabbage, Leek, Parsley, Parsnip, Rutabaga, Turnip
North America: Jerusalem Artichoke, Summer Squash
There are, of course, many more familiar vegetables, fruits and flowers that have their origins elsewhere.
When you look at that list you can really appreciate other cultures and their gifts. And, as it is with plant life, so it is within the human race. Some of the migrations have happened for thousands of years. Even with borders or territories there was still trade. And when marriages occur between cultures, there arrives the unforeseen and unexpected. All is part of a magic evolutionary and revelatory plan. Pause for a minute and give thanks for the blessings that a small garden can teach you about humanity.
Come and visit Avalon Organic Gardens, Farm and Ranch. Call (520) 603-9932 and let us know. I hope to see you soon—here on a tour, at our Farm Stand in Tubac on Saturday from 11-1pm, or at one of our Community Supported Deo-Agriculture Program (CSA) delivery locations. We now offer our CSA program year-round from Tubac to Patagonia, Green Valley to Tucson. You can sign up for it online at www.avalongardens.org/csa, or call the phone number above.
With much appreciation for accepting me as your neighbor and friend,
Tarenta Baldeschi (Change Agent),
an immigrated American Citizen , born in Germany to a father who immigrated from Italy and a mother who immigrated from Romania
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