Dodging Raindrops….Planting Spuds

Saturday May 17th started out grey and damp, probably a good thing after a few days of dry and windy weather.  But as we all started to hear the thunder in the distance, those of us who planned to head to Chamberlin's Farm in Underhill at 10am wondered if we might have to postpone this year's planting for a dryer day. 

And so the second year of the JUFH's potatoes patch project started with a note of uncertainty.

Around 9:30am , John Koier called around to let people know that he and John Connell were heading down, because it looked like there could be a break in the weather that might allow just enough time for us to get the crop planted.  At 9:45 the skies opened up and the lightning seemed to be getting closer.  In spite of the discouraging weather, Ann and I headed down River Rd with hopeful thoughts.

As we pulled in, we found that a few of the others had already gotten started during an earlier break in the rain. They had opened up the 150 foot long furrow and were just finishing up dropping the seed potatoes in the row.  Not long after that, we scurried back to the Chamberlin's barn for a few minutes during a heavy downpour, then jumped back out again to cover over and mound up the row when the rain tapered off a little.  We just barely got the crop settled in and made it back under cover again when the heaviest rain came down in buckets. Before heading our separate ways, we spent a few more minutes in the barn discussing the next steps.

As it does for every crop planted everywhere, the uncertainty we had on planting day will continue throughout the season. Will there be enough sun?  Will the rain cooperate to give enough but not too much water? Will we be able to stay ahead of the weeds and those devilish potato bugs?

Farmers and gardeners everywhere know that the best hedge against all that uncertainty is the hard work they put into caring for their crops.  So our potato patch group, including others who couldn't make it on Saturday, will be coordinating throughout the summer to be sure someone can stop by at least once a week to tend the potato plants as they grow.  This will involve hilling the mounds around the plants after they emerge from the ground, weeding, and dealing with the potato bugs. Our hopeful outcome after all that work is done is that we will have a bountiful harvest in August.

The objective of this project is to grow extra food right here in our community and share this with our neighbors and the broader communities around us. Last year we harvested hundreds of pounds of potatoes to share in several places:  the local food shelf, Underhill's and Jericho's food sharing sheds and local food kitchens, services and mutual aid groups that prepare free food. 

In my mind, this action is done less as charity than as a showing of solidarity by sharing food amongst neighbors. On a wider scale, it is much like how many gardeners will share their extra bounty with others and accept other's extras where their own yields might have fallen short.

We invite anyone who has a garden to consider planting a little extra and sharing with your neighbors; dropping some off at one of the Sharing Sheds--at the Jericho Community Center, across from the Underhill Town Hall, and soon at the back parking lot of the United Church of Underhill.  If you have enough extra and are looking for more places to share, the Jericho Underhill Food Hub can connect you with other groups that would appreciate fresh, local produce.  Email us at jufoodhub@gmail.com.

Many thanks to Chamberlin's Farm for allowing space for the potato patch and assisting with preparation of the planting beds!