As if those working in the organically grown gardens at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice, a ministry of the Sisters of Providence, wouldn't already have their hands full during a season of good weather, this growing season has brought new challenges with the drought.
Last week, federal officials declared more than half of Indiana a natural disaster area because of the dry conditions. This makes for a stressful time for Candace Minster, WVC garden manager, who leads the efforts in providing for the Community Supported Agriculture program and a stand at the weekly Terre Haute Downtown Farmers' Market.
"The early spring was helpful to us because we were able to get a lot in the ground," she said. "Pretty much as soon as we got the plants all in the ground we had to weed them. Then it was starting to get really warm and dry. It just kept getting hotter and hotter. We've replanted and replanted."
Candace said for some plants it's been too hot for germination. Using shade cloth on some plants has been helpful, though, she said.
"We've been able to keep our kale and chard. We got two cuttings off field lettuce before it got really hot," she said.
The tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant are on drop irrigation. A line is placed down each garden bed and every 12 inches an emitter allows only drips of water to come out. This provides deep watering for these plants. Candace said that water sitting on the plants can lead to some diseases, such as powdery mildew.
Participation at the Downtown Farmers' Market has not gone as planned. WVC has only participated in three Saturday markets since June 2 because there hasn't been enough harvested vegetables.
The CSA program provides weekly shares of fresh produce to full shareholders and shares every other week for those who purchased half shares.
"Every week I think we're not going to have anything for the CSA," Candace said. "We're getting by, but our members are not going to get the varieties in the quantities we had planned due to nature."
The hot and dry conditions have meant delayed harvest.
"We should've been getting green beans by now, and summer squash, baby carrots, turnips, and radishes," she said. "Growing things is very hard. This is a good year to prove the CSA members take the risk with us."
Last week, federal officials declared more than half of Indiana a natural disaster area because of the dry conditions. This makes for a stressful time for Candace Minster, WVC garden manager, who leads the efforts in providing for the Community Supported Agriculture program and a stand at the weekly Terre Haute Downtown Farmers' Market.
"The early spring was helpful to us because we were able to get a lot in the ground," she said. "Pretty much as soon as we got the plants all in the ground we had to weed them. Then it was starting to get really warm and dry. It just kept getting hotter and hotter. We've replanted and replanted."
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| Arrianne, left, and Hannah replant melon seeds on June 19 in the garden at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, a ministry of the Sisters of Providence. |
"We've been able to keep our kale and chard. We got two cuttings off field lettuce before it got really hot," she said.
The tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant are on drop irrigation. A line is placed down each garden bed and every 12 inches an emitter allows only drips of water to come out. This provides deep watering for these plants. Candace said that water sitting on the plants can lead to some diseases, such as powdery mildew.
Just barely making it
Participation at the Downtown Farmers' Market has not gone as planned. WVC has only participated in three Saturday markets since June 2 because there hasn't been enough harvested vegetables.
The CSA program provides weekly shares of fresh produce to full shareholders and shares every other week for those who purchased half shares.
"Every week I think we're not going to have anything for the CSA," Candace said. "We're getting by, but our members are not going to get the varieties in the quantities we had planned due to nature."
The hot and dry conditions have meant delayed harvest.
"We should've been getting green beans by now, and summer squash, baby carrots, turnips, and radishes," she said. "Growing things is very hard. This is a good year to prove the CSA members take the risk with us."
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