A Song of Praise to the Garden


Yellow has never been my favorite color---my rain garb for working out in the garden while it pours.
 How I love working in the garden! The cycle of planting and growth fascinates me. Biological farming—working with the natural ecosystem of a specific plot of land to restore or enhance its natural potential—is rewarding work. Not only does my body revel in the motion of outdoor labor, but also my spirit and mind are simultaneously at work. I bless the Creator of the environment in which my garden is situated. In turn, I am blessed by seeing the intricacies of the garden, which give, replenish and improve life.  
A well tended and planted garden will hopefully yield bountiful crops.
I have been soaking in all the material gleaned from the experience of those around me and from the books and articles of expert proponents on deep organic farming. Practically applying what I am theoretically learning is stimulating. I finished planting, transplanting and mulching plants in the garden plot my hosts gave to me to tend. I am very satisfied with the work I accomplished and patiently await the sprouts to appear. 
A view of Imbabura volcano after an evening of rain (snow on the mountaintop)
I am grateful for the mixture of rain and sunshine. I have not had to water my plants very extensively, as the rains have been good and frequent enough. Tasks I look forward to this week are the continued grenadilla harvest, work on the greenhouse and beginning to till and plant a five-acre vegetable plot with a French/Ecuadorean couple who will be cooperating with Finca La Amistad to bring families in the area fresh, high quality organic food. What an opportunity!
Inside the greenhouse with the climbing tomato plants

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