By Olivia Johnson, UW Farm Education Intern, Environmental Studies Major
A Farm in Winter: Observations
As a student at a large urban university, the UW Farm is my place of peace, harmony, and community. I go there to escape the bustle of student life. I love the sense of purpose that everything and everyone has at the farm.
Being outdoors while learning brings me joy.I find a sense of connection to the earth and am able to feel as if I am outside of the city when I’m working there because I am connecting with nature and soil. I get to harvest food, teach people new things about the farm, and gain knowledge about tools, plants, and farming practices in an urban setting.
Another aspect that I appreciate is the ever changing scenery that a farm provides. Plants come and go, and often change color when transitioning from one season to the next. The farm looks quite bare in winter, but there is plenty of "cover crop:" crimson clover, dutch white clovers, hairy vetch, fava beans, annual and winter rye, and Austrian winter peas. The cover crop helps capture much needed nitrogen and other nutrients from the atmosphere, and replenishes the soil for the next season of crops.
As I walk the paths I observe that the cover crop is short and stout and another plot still has crops growing, Kale, collard greens, broccoli, and radishes. These are in the mustard or Brassicaceae plant family, (formerly the Crucifera)
I have seen that it is a very hardy plant family that can survive harsh winters with snow and frost. As if in a relationship, cold weather and that plant family co-exist well together. The plant is nearly free of pests this time of year, as most are dormant or frozen.
The 'Darkibor' green kale is one of the only harvestable crops still growing at the farm site at the Center for Urban Horticulture. Its ruffled leaves come in various shades of light to dark green and some wilt in strong windy weather. Different varieties of kale are able to withstand the mild Pacific Northwest Maritime winter and continue to grow, while other varieities, such as 'Scaret' and 'Toscano' are not as hardy or cold tolerant. I notice that that the grey sky above makes the green kale on the farm stand out or "pop."
I have discovered that the relationship between humans, wildlife, and food is complex and straight forward at the same time. Humans plant food for themselves, but birds and other wildlife also take small nibbles. There are crows, songbirds, and seagulls at the farm that come and go. They all co-exist and use the farm as a home.
Additionally, plants on the farm rely on each other for shade, nutrients, and support when they are too heavy to stand up by themselves.
Surrounding the farm are buildings, trees, roads, and houses. The large buildings you can see from the farm are apartment buildings being built by large cranes. The nearby houses on the outskirts of the farm are residential houses in the nearby neighborhood.
The loud honking of horns, and slamming of brakes that create skidding noises, can be heard for blocks. The noise pollution makes it hard to feel like you are in nature. However, if you listen closely, you can still hear birds sing and crows caw. If you pay attention, nature is present in ways large and small. The farm is truly a slice of heaven in the middle of the city of Seattle. Having a respite from the fast-paced city life feels clarifying and therapeutic for me. Working with and observing the changing seasons and growing cycles on the campus farm helps me immeasurably. It helps me find a place for myself in the urban landscape and in the world.
News and Noteworthy:
Gardening with the Seasons: Winter online/Win23
Online Class Feb 8, 2023 7:00pm-8:30pm
(Online via Zoom)
Instructor:
Christina Pfeiffer
Winter may seem like the slow season for gardening, but there are plenty of things you can do to set yourself up for success for the rest of the year! This session will cover dormant season pruning and transplanting for specific plant types, winter weeding and garden care, best tools and practices, and planning ahead for the new growing season.
Price: $25
This online class will be delivered using Zoom. New to Zoom or need more information? Get Started Here.
The Summit is a gathering for Washington-based specialty seed growers (vegetables, herbs, and flowers) to network, exchange knowledge, and develop collective actions to build sustainable, profitable, and resilient seed systems in the state. The content will focus on Washington state.
At the Summit, Washington-based seed growers will:
Hear research updates, learn about organic seed production for high-value markets
Get an inside look into seed quality, accessing specialty seed, and interact with a community of passionate seed growers, processors, and distributors
Connect with industry professionals to get the latest information on Washington organic seed production, as well as getting access to regionally adapted seeds
Get the inside scoop on rising investment and policy opportunities
Details for joining Organic Seed Commons along with Zoom links will be emailed to registrants prior to the event. Click HERE to register.
New Seed To Seed Course Being offered by Tilth Alliance
No matter if you only have a tiny apartment deck, small garden space, or plenty of acreage you can grow fresh food in a healthier, more environmentally friendly way.
With an overall focus on limited space/resources, and the combined challenges of western Washington weather and soils, this series of speakers and topics will help beginners, as well as long time gardeners, l
When: Wednesday evenings from 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Location: online using the Zoom platform.
Fee: $5 per class, or…save and take all 15 Growing Groceries classes for $50
Oct. 12 Starting a Vegetable Garden Nov. 9 Healthy Soil = Healthy Plants Dec. 7 Raising the Onion & Beet Families Jan. 11 Irrigation & Weed Management Jan. 18 Pruning Fruit Trees Jan. 25 Pea/Bean Family & Cover Cropping Feb. 1 Raising Berries in W. Washington Feb. 8 Seed Starting & Raising Transplants Feb. 15 Raising Broccoli & Buckwheat Families Feb. 22 Raising the Tomato/Potato Family Mar. 1 Using Hoop Houses & Greenhouse Mar. 8 Raising the Cucumber/Squash Family Mar. 15 Raising Carrot, Lettuce, & Corn Families Mar. 22 Raising Culinary & Tea Herbs Mar. 29 Pests, Predators, & Pollinators
Register online at GrowingGroceries.Eventbrite.com. For more information about all classes in the series, visit snohomish.wsu.edu/growing-groceries.
Sponsored by the WSU Snohomish County Extension Growing Groceries and Master Gardener programs. For more information about the program, contact Kate Ryan, (425) 357-6024, kate.ryan@wsu.edu
Agriculture and Food Systems Employment Opportunities:
The UW Farm donates regularly to the UW Food Pantry. During peak season we also donate to nearby food banks. The links below are resources to help you or someone you know with food access.
Every year, we have the capacity to grow more food and increase our educational and research program at the UW, but not without your support. Every contribution goes to work immediately, helping us better serve students. Your support can sustain our momentum and help seed new opportunities for student internships, academic work, and future growth. Please consider making a gift to the Farm online
The Weekly Dirt is produced once a week by the University of Washington Farm, a program of the UW Botanic Gardens, School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, College of the Environment. It is published nearly year-round for educational purposes and the majority of the content is written or contributed by students and farm staff.
This issue's contributors:
Around the Farm: Olivia Johnson, UW Farm Education Intern, Environmental Studies Major Editors: Perry Acworth, Farm Manager and Chrina Munn, AmeriCorps Volunteer 2022-23 Photo Credits: Perry Acworth. Other photos retrieved from the internet and noted in sections
The cover crop helps capture much needed nitrogen and other nutrients from the atmosphere, and replenishes the soil for the next season of crops.
The '
There are crows, songbirds, and seagulls at the farm that come and go. They all co-exist and use the farm as a home.
