Week 4

June 1, 2015
Planted sweet potatoes, okra, and re-seeded the melon
June 3, 2015
Learned about field irrigation; put drip tape in four rows of potatoes, weeded the onion bed June 4, 2015
This morning's reflection was led by Danny. He shared his experiences from a monastery in Boston where he learned to chant, and so we tried it, too. I've never been one who practices meditation, so it was definitely out of my comfort zone. A good way to start the day.
I left Welcome Table with a superior feeling of community: laughing, teasing, and making faces. The radish harvest was especially sour today.
Along with the hands-on learning aspect of the internship, Susan, the executive director, organized a curriculum. We had our first class today, where we we prompted to describe how we would start a garden. We discussed problems we might face, surveying the land, testing the soil, preparing beds, etc. It made us realize how much we actually knew. Another reassuring moment was when a group of six Asheville Youth Mission counselors visited the garden. The interns were asked to share information we knew about the garden, supplementing the tour Susan gave. We talked about the design and impacts of contour beds, the importance of watering correctly, and crop rotation. I realized I have learned even more than I had thought. I know about soil composition, harvesting techniques, bed prep and more.
June 5, 2015
Today was our first sprouts class! We had 11 kids ages 3 to 8 and they were adorable. Some knew more than others, and a few were too shy to even say their name. We wandered the garden, tasting lettuce and smelling herbs. We talked about bugs and what vegetables we plant. It was the quickest an hour has ever passed. Beforehand, we gathered around as interns and garden staff to discuss crop rotation. This was interesting because it made it clear how much thought and planning is necessary to do it correctly AKA keep the nutrients in the soil.