Achy Back Acres

On the way to physio on Friday we saw a roadside sign for fresh peas, so naturally on the way home we stopped in.  That's when we discovered Achy Back Acres, and resolved a riddle that we'd been pondering for 3 or 4 months.

This was the sign that enticed us in,

And these were the peas, their first real crop of the season, late because it's been so dry.  We bought a large basket, and they were delicious.

Here's the riddle.  We'd been driving past this farm every time we went to Owen Sound for physio, and have been wondering what all these barrels out in the field were for.  As we saw crops coming up in the rows between them, we realized it must be some form of garden.

Once we got a close look we learned all about it.  Indeed, we met the owners, a retired couple, who work incredibly long hours to do this.  They told us all about their 'retirement project'.

A row of garlic, and their watering system (in the absence of rain).  They fill these big plastic jugs with a hose, and then take them out to fill the barrels.  They water the plants with a watering can from the barrels.  An enormous amount of work!

You can see in these two pictures how they plant in rows, leaving a wide strip of grass in between.  They suggest that this controls erosion on this slightly sloping site, and reduces insect damage.  It's totally organic.

These are their tomatoes, 130 heritage varieties!  They'll have lots of other veggies available through August and September, especially after last might's rain.  And we'll be back to pick some up.

A new use for an old farm.

We said good-bye to the field of barrels and headed home to enjoy our peas.