Irrigation-I think I could some up my past week in five words:
IT STILL HAS NOT RAINED!
This past week I was in charge of irrigation. Which is still a huge task on the farm, and the main priority, since we are still in a drought. For the most part it involves watering the entire farm every two days. And given the topography and layout of Serenbe Farms, this is a huge undertaking.
If I could compare irrigating our farm to something else it would be this: a new job. Whenever I have started a new job I always feel like there is a short period in the beginning where I am getting to know my surroundings, feeling out other people, and figuring out where I fit into the whole scheme of things. It's always kind of rough at first, a little nerve racking, but it never last too long.
While I have been in charge of irrigation before, I am usually very lucky to receive rain in beginning or at the end of my week, this time that was not the case. i spent my first few days figuring things out, a little nervous, but just trying to take everything in, figuring out the ins and outs of what runs off of each irrigation box and so on. Then on Thursday, Paige and Justin left to go to a wedding, and I was left to keep the farm wet, without Paige or Justin looking over my shoulder. Thursday was pretty crazy for me, but I kept it under control. I stuck to the irrigation schedule Justin left me, and took what I had learned the previous three days and put it to use. I observed the plants, like new co-workers, figuring out how much water they liked, and how soon they dried out, while also watching for germination on our newly planted seeds.
Now that it is Sunday, I feel very confident in my irrigation knowledge, and skills. But I am looking forward to passing on the irrigation to someone else tomorrow for the week. I believe it's Paige's turn!
Oh, and I did learn something interesting this morning, do not put your fingers in the soil around a hot pepper plant to test for moisture. I did this over an hour ago, and my fingers are still burning as I type this.
New Life- 
While giving a farm tour this weekend, Gretchen discovered that we have baby chicks on the farm. One of our laying hens decided to make the underside of our new tool shed her home. Now the farm has four new baby chicks! The good news is the mama is being very protective over her babies, and seems to be taking good care of them. The highlight of my weekend was coming back to the farm after the market on Saturday, and watching the mama teach the her little ones how to scratch around for bugs.
Other News-
We have also been busy planting this week. We have two beds of lettuce, as well as two beds of more brassicas : Brussels sprouts, cabbage and broccoli planted. And thanks to my awesome irrigation, we have many beds of radishes, rutabagas, carrots and beets germinating! We will be spending the next few weeks keeping the outdoor greenhouse busy, seeding new fall veggies, keeping everything watered (thank you Gretchen!) and planting everything out when it gets big and strong.
One more week, under my belt, I am just glad everything is still alive!
Have a great week,
Ashley
Editor's Note:Ashley doesn't lie. She did a rockstar job with the irrigation (we left the crew with the motto, "Keep it wet!"). With irrigation duties now in my hands I remember how difficult it is to continually assess and switch and remember and keep records to stay afloat.
I know Gretchen and John did a fantastic job helping with all the duties and Gretchen, I especially thank you for playing a good mother to all our babies in the greenhouse.
So, well done fearless crew! And a big THANKS!
