Three Months Together

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.