Two weeks of off and on rainy weather left the soil at Homecoming Farm in North Amityville too damp to plant potatoes. We got a call to plant potatoes. this was urgent because of too wet soil

It is not advisable to plant seed potatoes in wet soil. Today, the soil was perfect.

Dan used a rototiller to make 8 inch deep furrows in five 200 foot beds. We laid out a 100 foot long measuring tape so as to space the seeds a foot apart.  “We don’t cut the potato seed into pieces in order to prevent wire worms from burrowing. We had six boxes of fifty pound potatoes to plant. Because the bags sat for three weeks, they sprouted stems and white roots. Potatoes are subject to fungus is planted in wet soil. Today the soil was perfect, the weather was perfect, and we had four volunteers to help…Nancy, my wife, me, Tom, Mitch, and Andrea, a new intern from Porto Rico who will be with us for a month.

When We arrived, Sister Jean Clark, A Dominican Nun, was visiting. She conceived of the farm 20 years ago. She believes that community supported agriculture that is organic is wholesome and Earth Healing.

We evolved an efficient planting technique. The box of seeds were placed in a wagon, which one of us pulled. The second handed two potatoes to the third who placed them in the furrow. Don is a neat farmer. He wants his plants to be spaced properly. Potatoes need at least a six inch radius for good root growth. Andres used a rake to cover the seed. Don said “ Cover them with about three inches of soil. Once they’ve sprouted, we’ll lay compost on top for good nutrition. Each potato may produce up to 8 new potatoes.

We change roles so as to relax muscles by assuming different postures. I listened to four ravens calling from the Norway Maple alley nearby. We developed a rhythm as we moved down the row.  All told, the one thousand potato seeds may produce eight thousand potatoes.  The harvested potatoes will wind up at the pick-up table

for share holders in the fall.

I checked out the beet greens we planted two weeks ago. They are coming along nicely. Our first pick up will be in two weeks.

Nancy and I agreed that being on the farm is wonderful and we love it. Once the harvest starts, we get a share in exchange for four hours of word between us. The long winter is over and the farm season has begun. Don has been working for two months. “Let me show your Monks Hood.” I followed him to a tray with tiny plants. Don constantly experiments with new plants. I am amazed as his knowledge. He can operate dozens of machines. “ I wish we had a barn.” He said hopefully. The large tractor has to be covered with a tarp over the winter gecause there is no room in the tunnel house. Elizabeth, the farm manager said. “Next year we’ll have a barn” Homecoming farm has several fundraisers during the season. Elizabeth spends time in the office applying for grants.

Andrea followed me to the bee yard. Her dream is to have a farm too. I am in awe of her and of many of the interns who come, learn, work, and socialize during the season. There is no better place to be than on this farm.

Two bee keepers were installing a second honey super on top of the first. The six hived are healthy and active. The beekeeper told us an and interesting behavior. “At 2 PM, bees amass in front of the hive. Each hive averages 10,000 bees. Since bees only have a two week lifespan, they do a wiggle dance to orient the new bees telling them where to go. There are many different jobs for the hive to thrive. Near the end of the season, shareholders receive small jars of honey. A taste of that honey sums up the joy and happiness we feel at the harvest in November