Sunday, July 28, 2019

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.

13 comments:

  1. I can certainly understand why they call it, 'Achy Back Acres'. That's a lot of water to haul.

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  2. That's very interesting. I've never seen that before.

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  3. I am glad you figured out the barrels. I can see they do work really hard to get that all going. We had late planting this year also had the dry weather to slow down all the corn and soybeans that wouldn’t come up. That farm will give you some great tomatoes.

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  4. If they connected a length of hose, with some small holes at intervals along its length, to each barrel then ran the hose along the rows of veg they could save themselves half the work. I'm only able to say this because I saw a similar system in operation in France many years ago. Enjoy your peas!

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  5. It seems to be a very hard way to manage the watering, but organic, pest free, and what will be more goodies later in the season., that is all a huge bonus for anyone coming in to get their fill of natural goodness. Love the name.

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  6. Nothing like fresh vegetables especially peas. That sure is one labour of love.

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  7. I would have been intrigued by that name, too. I belong there myself these days. Good for you for finding out the barrel mystery.

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  8. What an interesting discovery. Glad you got to know them.

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  9. oooooh these detours are THE BEST!! no wonder they have achy backs!!! you have to go back, great vegetables and to support these people!!!

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  10. My dad was a farmer. I was happy to go to college to get away. The work to income ratio is probably one of the worst for any industry. You have to really enjoy managing Mother's gifts.

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  11. That sure looks like a lot of work. I bet they look forward to a good rain!!

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  12. Thanks for the lesson, we've wondered what those were for.

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