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.