Frijol Pinto

May 30, 2009- Pinto beans (Espanol- 'frijol pinto' literally 'painted bean') were planted in 2-3 seed holes on either side of each maize stalk in the jardin. The third sister has finally arrived!

As we were out there adding this element to our space, I began to have small musings and epiphanies under the cool shade of the maize leaves. I realized that this project is absolutely no small feat- it hadn't been up to there- yet, the realization that frijol is now in the picture made it that much more real for me. These are living things that are reacting to the care we can afford them and the care their environment provides them when we cannot afford them.
But, it's a funny word 'afford'. And I push myself out there because I look at these seeds and sprouts that we have planted thus far and see how incredibly valuable they really are. What a commodity the organic seed and environment has become. How much of my ignorance toward all of this, I know now, was staunching a part of my brain and self-realization.
Epiphanies.. didn't I warn you?

Oh and the maize stalks have started to show their male & female characteristics. The male flower, called the 'tassel' sit at the tip top of the corn stalk waiting on the wind to carry their pollen to the female part of the stalk called the silk. The silk sits a little higher than midway on the stalks in the jardin and are blushing with yellow-white & red silk. Each silk may become pollinated to produce one kernel of maize, and we are keeping up with the 3 - 4 day watering sessions to keep them health and productive.

Back to the beans, though. So the last sister has brought with her nutrients for the soil around the corn & will create an even richer place for more squash to be added on- along with chile plants we plant to also incorporate. The beans will grow in vines that will wrap around the stalks and leaves of the corn and from what i hear, this happens fast. The watering may have to become more frequent and the sowing of the beans will go on every 2 - 3 weeks until mid-Summer, for continuous harvest throughout the Summer.

In the meantime, we have been discussing ways to make the jardin more efficient and easy to keep up with. We need to come up with a system that allows us to account for every plant in the garden in every row- give them attention and acknowledge them for what they are- alive.

So, as that has begun, so has my research of uses for corn & frijol and on the different varieties of squash that can make an appearance if we so choose. I want to make sure that all the work we have put in does not go to waste in any way. And this can best come about by utilizing every piece of the maize that comes to harvest and paying attention to the bean sister making her way up the stalks to hold it all together.

Nontoxic

In keeping with the goals of the jardin, we use only organic, non-toxic items to achieve the things we want in the garden. I've mentioned a few times that the ants were one of our biggest obstacles and how a non-toxic pesticide that I used seemed to work on most of the maize. I will pass on the info here and really, it's open for you to measure out which one you want to try and what will work best for what you are trying to grow, etc.

How to Make Your Own Nontoxic Pesticides

Unwanted insects live in every garden. Combat destructive pests by using all-purpose, nontoxic sprays readily made from everyday household ingredients. Here are five options to try in your garden.

Steps:

1. Mix a few drops of liquid detergent, a couple of hot peppers or pepper sauce, and one chopped garlic clove with water in a handheld spray bottle and take aim at the insects.

2. In a blender, puree three hot peppers, three white onions and one garlic bulb. (No need to peel anything.) Add 3 c. water to the mixture and soak overnight in a covered bowl. Strain with a cheesecloth and add enough water to the liquid solution to make 1 gallon of spray, for use in either a spray bottle or a 1-gallon garden sprayer for the whole garden.

3. Mix 1 c. vegetable oil with 1 tbsp. liquid dishwashing soap. Add 1 1/2 tsp. for every cup of warm water to a handheld spray bottle, or add entire mixture to a 1-gallon garden sprayer and fill with water. Spray entire plant, including the undersides of leaves.

4. Chop 10 to 15 garlic cloves into small pieces to soak in 1 pint mineral oil overnight. Strain and spray oil mixture directly on infestations.

5. Capture and crush 1/2 c. of a single kind of insect. Add 2 c. water and strain. Mix 1/4 c. of the solution and a few drops of liquid soap to water in a spray bottle and target the insect's friends and relatives. Sounds gross, but this is a very effective species-specific control.

Unlike conventional pesticides, these home remedies biodegrade quickly, so for best results, hit infestations directly and reapply after wet weather and as needed.

Warnings:

Some plants may be sensitive to the soapy or acidic ingredients. To guard against burning the foliage, test the spray on a small, inconspicuous area of leaves before spraying the entire plant.

Strong Roots, Shade, & Ant Threats

The maize and the squash have really taken to the ground. Sunday's mini-storm w/hail proved that we needed to make sure that all of the stalks were secure in the ground and we spent the first half of Monday making sure the beautiful intricate roots were covered with dirt and strongly set.
We'd also been having a bit of an issue with the gorgeous Pecan Tree that is in close proximity to the Jardin-- It's limbs have sprouted out and some of the branches had caused more shade for the maize than any of us really cared for. So, the limbs we could reach were also trimmed to allow for the Sun.
The maize stocks are higher than me now and i can duck into the trench and find hidden places under the long green leaves. I look down at the dirt and see how 3 seeds to a hole turned into these massive roots that look like thick green spaghetti pasta strings. They are beautiful.
Now, we are just waiting for the right (wo)manpower to plant the beans and see where they take us.
The ant problem that we had has diminished and is under control thanks to the nontoxic concoction and coffee grounds that are spread as they are collected around the bases of the maize stocks. Ants are supposed to hate coffee grounds and to that we say - AWESOME! There do seem to be a hill of defiant ants, and there, I stood over and sprayed and threatened 'if you don't get lost, I'ma put out the grits!" I think they heard me...
My kid sis keeps telling me that she thinks it's beautiful outside to see the corn growing, but says she's scared to go back there at night because there might be children..she's silly.
It's peace.

A few pics...

Here are a few pictures from Saturday...

The late morning:

Panchito viewing the ones he protects.


Our Maize

Flat Mounds... and weeds... EEeeekkkkk

Mid-Afternoon:

A full view

Gazing at the work done at hand...

Up close and personal with the freshly molded drenches

...more coming soon.

Gritona

From afar....

This past weekend, our communidad got together to shed some sweat, work, and most importantly love in our Huerto (Vegetable Garden). Seeing how much the maize has grown since the heavy rain fell is absolutely breathtaking, I haven't been able to leave my home so I hadn't seen the Huerto since shortly after my last post. My fellow comrades came together to do some "Jardin-cleaning," where we accomplished many things. First we rid our plants from weeds, then we reformed the mounds, while inspecting each plant for any aphids or unwanted insects. There was a lot of work being done, and many observations that were taken in for consideration/planning. It was a very productive day, the amount of work three people can do, with an extra mujer watching from afar.

The maize is stretching towards the sun, and a part of me feels like I too am growing with it. Seeing the maize struggle in the overabundance of water and later an attack of ants and aphids, made me see that like people, plant's face trials, situations and relations, some good, some bad. All it took was some tender loving care and the plants continued (and continue) to shine with life, and like this great struggle, some are having a harder time than others, and some of our baby squash have, moved on to create mulch instead of squash. But alas, the great phrase "que sera, sera" because at the end of the day, "I guess what is meant to be, no one can stop." (-my friend)

Until fingers meet the keys once more.

Paz
Gritona

Panchito...

Our Jardin looks more beautiful as the maize continues to grow, yet there are some things we need to collectively work on such as reforming the mounds as Conspi mentioned. Panchito, our homemade scarecrow is becoming out grown! The maize is almost taller than he is! The rain continues to fall, and where there is rain there are weeds. I am very concerned about the spacing in Jardin, as the maize grows, and the breathing room that we have created.


Ah, summer time is rolling around, meaning longer days, hinting more time. I have been reading some things, but I definitely think that we should step up on our game. Here are a few more sites, if anyone is interested:

• http://www.humeseeds.com/ehndx.htm
• http://www.organicgardeninfo.com/
• www.organicgardening.com

I hope to see you all soon at the Jardin. I am down to do some man hours... or supervise at least :)


Until then,
Gritona

Reform Mounds

conspi said...

I saw the garden on saturday, our maiz mounds need to be re done because they are starting to flatten out. I think that sometime this week this needs to be our primary foucus. Perhaps one of our hermanos can help out soon. I also think our ant problem is solved for now but they will be back especially around this May Showers season. Ants are everywhere I have even found a small mound near my window.

Till another post:
ometeotl