Closer still can be about anything I am working on now. I am completing the 2009 Rocky Mountain Growers Directory, and trying to complete Fresh Connections, our farm to chef program, not to mention LandShare Colorado… and last but not least, we have the farm!

The past few weeks we’ve been working on getting the rows ready. Yeah, okay, so using the rototiller would save time and labor… but at what cost to the soil? This first year is an experiment to see if we can create raised rows and maintain them without the use of gas powered tillers or whatnot. I did use the rototiller to dig out the pathways, but not the growing beds. By digging the pathways, we have been able to create raised rows that are ranging from 6″ to 12″ deep. The plan it to continue to build the soil over the years with manure, compost and cover crops.

Neil, Paul, Nancy and Jennie have helped so much by moving soil, shoveling manure, and helping to loosen the clay below with spades. I can’t thank those folks enough for their help! I’ve also been using a broadfork to help loosen the soil. The past few weeks I’ve moved a ton or more of dirt & manure, broadforked almost half of our 44 rows, and began to rough out the perennial/permaculture part of the garden.

This shot shows a very roughed out view of the perennial herb garden. I still have a lot of work in this section… well, in the whole garden! Thankfully the winter has been mild and allowed us to work on the garden sooner than later. Then again… we do need water!