Feeling Sentimental
Its been three months since
we sat down to create the designs, stand up to source the materials and get dirty starting the construction
of the “Philippine Organic Garden Project”.
An auspicious occasion for us all and a good
time to indulge in some reflection on the many intricacies, frustrations and celebrations
woven into the history of developing the
garden to this point.
As a team we have been working
around the clock to push this garden forward and pull everyone together in
support. The physical construction of the garden is only one factor in our
progress to a finished site. Behind the scenes we are lobbying for community
support, experimenting with alternative materials and labor forces, while also
maintaining the garden as an educational facility where the community is encouraged
to engage.
We have a long way to go yet,
but we have made some impressive progress.
June
As the June rain fell the grass at our site grew, forever
playing havoc with our gardens dimensions (and our patience). The once grassy field has had a remarkable
makeover.
To explain the pattern of leaves in the foreground: all photos here on in were taken from the shady branches of a mango tree, the only point of elevation at the site. As the growing season took hold, avoiding the trees leaves in the photos got harder.
June - July
Keeping
us occupied through June to July, we dug 200m of drainage, collected two dump
trucks of pebbles and began translating the design from paper to site.
July - August
July saw the collection of materials, and the transformation
of 100 pallets into 100m of garden perimeter edging. The shape of our garden
began to develop.
August
Focusing on the development of organic matter and soil structure within the site, the month of August saw us moving layer after layer of materials to create these “no dig” garden beds. However, by late August our seemingly endless supply of rice straw did indeed run out. Patience for the team as we wait for the next rice harvest, expected for mid September.
August-September
Late August celebrated the careful addition of our beautiful central pathway garden edging (created from the scrap wood of the old Organic Agriculture building). All workmen’s pathways have been added to the outer “no dig” garden beds and soil development is underway.
