While the growing season has come to a close, September is actually a very busy month at the farm! All of last year’s spent plants have to be removed and cleared out. As you can see in the above picture, it is hard work- even for the new pup! All the support netting, stakes and drip irrigation must be removed as well to allow for amending of the soil (aerating and adding a layer of compost). Once the soil is fully amended, it will enable me to begin my fall planting in October when temps finally start to cool off a bit. I have also been busy starting seedlings at home so they are ready for planting come mid-October.
This is also a time of year where I can spend some more of my time focusing on interacting with the community more. I was lucky enough to partner with Charleston Day School downtown to completely makeover their empty green space. I recently gave a presentation to their K-8 students discussing the over 60 native plants we will be installing in the empty bed next month and all the benefits they can provide. This is a project I have been wanting to do for a while and am hopeful to do in other schools going forward as well!