End of the Season 2015 part 1

It was one helluva gardening season this year.
Well...not really.
I worked at an organic vegetable farm called The Kitchen Garden from May-August.
Here's where I worked...

A small view of the enormous fields at the farm.

Inside one of the hoop houses I helped build by hand.

The big pond I helped dig by hand.

The smaller pond I helped dig...that waterfalls into the big pond.

Working at the farm was an amazing experience but it was incredibly draining.

Meaning that poor husband of mine spent more than his share working our own garden.

I was grateful.

I was also exhausted.

Some days it was just because I'd spent 5 hours hoeing and just couldn't look at another weed.

Other days I had spent 5 hours picking beans...and couldn't fathom picking any more.

We still managed to put away a crazy amount of food.
(stay tuned for more on that)

But the amount of food that we grew that got wasted broke my heart.

I learned an incredible amount as well.
I learned about working smarter...and harder.
I learned about different varieties of vegetables.
I learned how to trellis them and maintain their health.
I learned how to harvest them...and quickly!

Speed is of the essence at a farm.
The margin is so small on vegetable sales.
You work fast...
even if you feel like the heat is
making your body move in slow motion.

I learned how to use hand tools...
something I've never done before.

(Seriously?!  she's been gardening for over 10 yrs now!
How is that even possible!?!?)

Well...we've been doing it by hand.
Literally by hand all of this time.

Sure, we might use a wheelbarrow or a shovel.
But all of that weeding and harvesting was done by hand.


Let me tell you, I have some amazing discoveries to share in the coming year!
No trademarked secrets that only The Kitchen Garden uses.
Sorry folks, that's privileged information...and you'll have to work there to find out more.

What I'm going to share with you are all of the
things that I will be doing differently in my home garden.
Tools, tips and trellising tricks...
and much, much more!

Its all gonna change this year!
Stay tuned...

Life on the Farm....

Not sure if you all remember, but last summer I lost my job.

(Well, I didn't lose it...it just wasn't mine anymore)

I blogged about what a blessing in disguise it was...

I spent the summer hanging out at the beach, playing with my son...

And asking the universe to give me my dream job.

I asked for a job where I was outside.

I wanted exposure, bug bites and sunburns.

I wanted to work in the food production industry.

I wanted to learn more about growing food organically.

I wanted to be happy about going to work and feel like 

I'm making a difference in the way people see food.

And to get paid...that too.

This year...I'm thankful to say I FOUND IT!

As of May 4th, I am now a full time employee at The Kitchen Garden!!!

(If you want to know more about these local guys...and where you can find them...click here)

I'll say this in advance...I won't be sharing any trade secrets.

I won't be talking about their farming practices.

And they do not require me to promote their business.

They DO pay me for my work.

Hard work.

Brutally hard work.

At the end of the first 4 days, I have some thoughts about working at a commercial vegetable farm.

I find farming to be experiential...if you are open to it.

Its transcendental.

Each day my senses were heightened.

I drove home every day exhausted and deliriously happy.

The shower when I got home...BEST SHOWER EVER.

When I finally sat down to eat....BEST MEAL EVER.

When the rain started to drop on my burning arms...BEST RAIN SHOWER EVER.

I learned so much my head was spinning.

I giddily looked forward to my polysporin/bandaid regimen at the end of each day.

I counted up each and every bruise and blister with a sort of pride I hadn't felt before.

As for the actual work...

I tried keeping up with the other full time employee.

The first day or so, I felt woefully slow.

(thinking "these guys are never gonna let me stay")

By the end of day four, I felt like Wonder Woman!!!

I will try to keep track of my experiences throughout the summer.

And don't worry...I'll still be gardening here at home.

So stay tuned for more adventures from this crazy gardening girl.