Pumpkin Failure

[Prairie]

Hey Jai, All,
I am so sorry about the pumpkins. Reports this year from commercial producers suggest that the cool and rainy spring was damaging to germination and growth of pumpkins. Ironically, producers who were delayed to as late as mid-June were able to get strong plants and lovely crops of pumpkins that will be available this fall. A relative of mine was delayed in this way last spring. They were rewarded with one of the only promising crops of pumpkins in the area. The pumpkin we produced last year grew by the entry to the pavilion. It grew in compost that was transferred to plantings in that area. Although our method did not work to get us pumpkins this year, we should not take the total burden of guilt, as conditions did not favor a good crop this year. Alternatiely, we might just dry seeds from this year's pumpkins to plant in the traditional way next spring. It was probably satisfying to "lob globs" of seeds into Heretic Garden last year. Once the relatively
small amount of seeds necessary to plant next year's vines is saved, that could still be done, if only for the ritual/fun benefits. Also, we might think in terms of planting gourds, birdhouse gourds, loofah gourds and other cucurbits that are quite easy to grow. Next time we might use a little more intention and focus by planting in the spring, amending the hills with compost at planting time. Also, we have 1,000 gallons of water in the tank by the pavilion. That could be applied at intervals to keep the vines happy. The soil in Heretic is awful, as is the soil in many areas of the Ridge. It had been used for cropping. By the time it was turned into the open, grassy area we know today, the topsoil had essentially all flowed off the high, flat area. We are now rebuilding the soil in a variety of ways. But a boost from compost where we want good results, as with the pumpkins, is always a help.

Again, so sorry about the crop failure. But this lesson does bring us all a little closer to the experience of being a farmer and taking the annual risks that go with that job.

Blessings,
Prairie

[Paeon]

Prairie,

Where is the Heretic garden in relationship to Flora's garden? It might be a good idea to get the area for next spring's garden amended with compost and tilled before winter and then again in the spring to have it ready for late spring planting of pumpkins, and gourds.

Beware, I purchased a house many years ago that had beautiful goose neck yellow squash that volunteered up the next spring. We made a beautiful dish of stewed squash that was delectible appearing. However, the second we put it in our mouths we learned that the squash had mixed with gourds and it absolutely tasted like poison.

Moral of the story: Don't save seeds of edible cucurbits that are grown near gourds.

Paeon

[Prairie]

Hey Paeon, All,
The gardens are continuous. So, once you get to the top of the stairmaster, you are at the water hose. Then you cross the hedge that divides the Ridge. Flora's is immediately adjacent to the hedge. Then there is a lane of mown turf, with Fauna's (the edible/herb garden) on the south side of the lane. Then a more free-form lane leads down to the "Heretic Camp". This pathway has been mismanaged for a few years. So, the turf wore away and the "path" became an arroyo. Clint made significant changes in the drainage. so, the downspouts from the Pavilion don't gush directly through there now. But that lane is still "healing." There is a rough patch of weeds with patches of mint, asclepias, miscanthus, roses, goldenrod, iris, spirea*and other species i can't think of right now. I would like to break additional pathways through this "garden" so that it can become more social space. The pathways would be mown turf. That would ease erosion, as traffic would be
divided between more numerous choices. The pathways would also take away some of the square footage in the heretic garden. But*the garden space*could easily be widened a bit there to compensate for the lost area. What we have now is a "wildflower patch" with lots of weedy annuals such as amaranth and annual grasses, etc. There is a rather pointless area of mown turf behind the pavilion that was originally just the part of the Sunset Ridge that ended up behind the closed "stage" area of the newly built pavilion. The "Heretic" group that overlaps greatly with the "Fire Horde" has a certain dibs on this area. So, it is possible that they might object to changes in the setup. They are familiar with the existing "opening" that they have used to the point of stomping out the grass and creating SERIOUS erosion. So, serious objections would be heard out. But if no alternative is offered that addresses the negative experience of the one "doorway" the the
proposed solution would take precedence.

Consider that the newly proposed scheme would preserve the location of Heretic Camp, extend the garden in a more systematic program to within 15 feet of the pavilion and disperse traffic into a number of patterned pathways. So, the focus of traffic onto one spot would cease. The new garden layout would also take into account the drainage modifications built by Cint earlier this season. Much of the flow has been redirected to the south. This can be utilized in the garden as a series of rain gardens that would allow soil penetration without sending the water into Heretic where it used to pool and create mud hell. I suggest this also because Paeon's idea of a pumpking patch would require some tillage. Doing that in the existing spaces would inevitably till over some worthwhile specimens. What about cucurbits against the wall of the pavilion, with trellises of reclaimed material from the woods or other sources. Those who mow through here will be freaking
out. My idea is for paths just wider than the skag, but not twice that width. It would be an occasional zen exercise of going through* a series of garden paths, twice. ALSO, and this is the neatest thing. The ideas advanced for Fauna's to be a wild fruit demonstration garden could extend it into the area, curving up to meet the pavilion and utilize the abandoned stonework on the north side of the stage. I am SURE badFaerie would approve. This is indeed a big program. But we should note that we now mow this area regularly as it is. This would focus the mowing into a pattern, with beds filled with durable and resilient species that should exclude annual weeds at least as effectively as our current practices.
BLESSINGS,
Prairie

[Paeon]

Prairie,

I was aware of the location of Flora's and Fauna's. I just did not know or could not remember if you told me earlier where Heretic's garden was. I could not imagine where the pumpkins had been planted.

It sounds like we may need to do some micro-amending of the area where the pumpkins will be planted so as not to disturb other items growing in the area if we tilled a larger area.

Thanks for the info.

Paeon

[Prairie]

Hey Paeon, All,
Sorry for the overkill on my response. I have been getting some grandiose plans in mind as the difficulties with the soil and plantings in the originally laid out gardens are resolved. I can begin to see how the Ridge could become a "garden" in general and fulfill all the functions it now fulfills or is envisioned to fulfill in the future. So, i am grateful for your initiative on the pumpkin patch and wanted to put those efforts in the larger context.

BTW, i would welcome Paeon (is that going to be your "camp name"? He has shown very high-level knowledge and activity around the genus 'Paeonia', also known as Peonies. As a side note: Paon is the french word for "peacock". So how cool is that? I would add that knowledge of Peonies is only a part of this guy's expertise. He has brought a number of plants to the camp from his extensive collections. This spring and many to come will testify to his contributions.
Blessings,
Prairie

[Paeon]

Paon is the french word for "peacock".

Prairie,

Actually I was going to a tie to the peony. Paeon(Latin spelling) served as a physician of the Olympian gods. He healed their wounds when they were injured in battle.

Paeon was the pupil of Aesculapius the god of medicine. Leto, Aesculapius' grandmother gave the peony plant to Paeon on Mount Olympus. He used the roots of the plant to cure both Pluto and Mars. Paeon's healing powers caused Aesculapius to be jealous and he plotted to kill Paeon. When Pluto heard of the plot he changed Paeon into the peony plant to save him from the wrath of Aesculapius.

To this day the peony is known as Paeonia.

Actually, I am not trying to be presumptuous, I just needed a name.

I will stick with this name. Cyricx performed some type of website sorcery and changed my former user name to this one.

Paeon.