TOIL, SOIL AND SEEDS

Early Spring; This time of year the nights are cool, and the days are too, although beautiful warmth blanketed us when the overcast clouds parted for the elderberry "living mulch" planting.

We have struggled to keep the quackgrass and other assorted weeds from taking up residence in the rows.  Prior to now, we have used other sources of weed barrier/mulch and organic matter.  The most organic and relatively successful mulch we have used is our burlap coffee bags.  They have worked tirelessly to help keep moisture in,  and a good deal of the unwanted infiltrations, out.  

However, after careful thought and research by H, this year we are opting for a cover crop or two to help out weeds out, retain moisture, build the soil and provide precious nitrogen for the elders. This cover crop, rather than some which are sown in the fall, and tilled in come spring, is planted now, and allowed to grow along with the crop, mowing as needed.  These nitrogen fixing plants are red clover and rye grass. The hope is that these will produce the nitrogen the elders need and crowd out the invasion of the nitrogen-stealers. 

​Finally, invoking the power of positive thinking, the intention is  for a larger elderberry crop this year, thanks to the early infusion of nitrogen, the elders' will leaves will be set to convert the sunlight to chlorophyll and help produce an abundance, of cascading sprays of tiny white flowers, known as "umbels".   These hundreds of flowers will then wisp away, allowing the berries to develop in their place into gorgeous,  pendulous purple-black passels of berries as the season progresses.


​

New Elder stalks shooting up, clover is growing!

Mother Adams variety, with leaves sprouting, and shoots at the base. Clover is beginning to show.

A row, completely seeded and germinating.

A naked elderberry row, sans burlap mulch, waiting for clover and rye sowing.