Project: Small Farm Life Along the Cascade Range
Sunday June 28, 2009
I rent a house that is tucked up against foothills North West of Mount Rainier in the incorporated south side of the town of Enumclaw, Washington. The house was the family home to the Charles Fuller family for many years and sits on approximately 30 acres of one of the most biologically diverse areas in Washington State. When we arrived here in the Fall of 2008 the garden area was overrun with Blackberry vines.
During Fall and Winter I reclaimed the old garden space by clipping the thorny beasts to the ground and burning them in bon fire after bon fire.
The Blackberry vines had buried Raspberries, Redcurrents, an old Blueberry bush, Shasta Daisies, an old compost bin filled with beautiful dirt and three 4 X 10 garden plots boxed in with old wooden planks,probably salvaged from the old barn that was once standing out behind the house. I envisioned a pristine garden by planting time. HA!
Well since the reclamation project was "completed" and the rains and sun have done their job, I've had quite a battle going with all of the grasses and Canada Thistle that has temporarily won control of the garden space. One sprained back and three weeks later and the grass is up to my chin and the thistle is now towering above me. These things make me feel very small and a little sorry for myself that I don't have a big family and that the one I do have is going through a lazy spell.
I'm bending over again ever so carefully and have started cutting the grass with a small sythe just as people did before the grass was cut by machines. There is a rhythm to the cutting, danger to it and a deep sense of connection to the past. It feels good. I bundle up the grass using old burlap bags I found in the potting shed here on the property so the grass won't make me itch when I carry it. It's in the trunk of my car now, soon to be eaten by my dear old horse who thinks it is the best supper going.
I tell you all of this to share with you my amusement and pleasure at losing the battle for control in the garden and yet still having seen and eaten the first ripe Raspberries and Blueberries of the season yesterday. And I'd like to tell you how very gratifying and enjoyable it was to wade through the grass, hacking down the Blackberry vines that have regrown to my height in a few short weeks, to pick the Redcurrents I later spent three hours making into two cups of sauce.
There is a whole lot to learn from a participant observation of farm life. I understand now how closely farm families are tied to home, to the weather, to the seasons and how farm life requires learning to take the ups and downs of life in stride...and a sense of humor helps too.
You know what? The Fuller Family Garden Is My Family Garden For Now
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