Mystery Goo

The garden is SO happy to have all this rain this week! Everything is growing great...even the mystery goo. The goo was noticed a few days after planting the garden. It seems to be "growing" from the ends of some of the cut roots. My boys poked sticks at it and a nasty decomposing musty smell filled the air! YUCK! I have searched the internet as much as I could to find a clue of what this might be and how to get rid of it. It has now been 2 weeks since the sighting of the goo and after my visit today I've noticed it's changing. I seems to form a orange/yellow scab. If it is not harmful to the plants I will just let it run it course but if it prohibits the growth of things in the soil then I would like to know how to get rid of it and it's smell! Thanks for any input.

We have visitors

We have a had dry spell for a few days now and my little plants need water. I went up to the farm with my 15 jugs of water to quench their thirst. As I approached the garden I froze in my steps and meet gaze with a deer. He was in the far corner away from the garden but he was the first one I have seen. I quickly checked the plants and they remained untouched. PHEW! I guess that stinky liquid fence stuff really does work.

Thank You Brownie Troop 5339!

5/7: Brownie Troop 5339 came to the farm to learn history and help with the garden. These girls were very enthusiastic and excited to participate. They helped water the plants with jugs of water I had brought from home. They then tested their strength by pounding metal fence posts into the ground around the garden. We then planted some tomato plants and pulled up some of the large roots that are left in the ground. We only had a small amount of fencing to work with and they helped me secure it to the posts. As they pulled up roots we began using them as a pickets for fencing around the test plot.

I was encouraged by the enthusiasm and willingness to help of these young girls. I was up at the farm on Sunday and one of the Brownies was so proud of what she had been a part of she brought her family to come see. It is things like this that keep me excited and motivated to grow this garden to it's fullest potential. Pictures to come soon.

The plants are in the ground!

5/5: The soil at the new test plot area is easy to work with aside from the large numerous roots that remain. Pulling the roots is difficult but satisfying. There are an overwhelming amount to deal with but will be pulled out little bits at a time. My sister and and mom were visiting and helped me plant the seedlings. We put each in the ground with a  good amount of compost and fertilizer. The plants were  then covered the with straw. We put some of the roots in the ground around the small plants to protect them from being stepped on. We used longer roots to make structures for the peas and beans to climb up. Before we left I applied liquid fence to protect the plants from being eaten by animals.