處處充滿生機Spring, the blooming season.

春天果然是百花齊放的季節。

隨手丟的豆子經過一連串的雨水滋潤竟然已經亭亭玉立了。

植物的求生力量How plants strive to live

 Thanks for the plants in my garden. After days of pouring rain, some seeds and vegetables survived and strive to grow. Their power of life kick away the  depression brought by the weather.

經過兩個月的種菜日子，慢慢地有一些小收穫。因為完全靠地力，連堆肥都沒有，所以菜都長不大。不過，味道到是很夠。

人類為何農耕?farming is more time saving than picking wild food?

December 26, HT Garden

Seedlings were drying because of the sunlight.

菜苗果然如同嬰兒，需要無時無刻的照料。偶爾只是一天不見，所有的菜苗就快枯死了。從另一方面想，要不是人類為了減少到野外採集食物所花的時間，還需要如此費力照料蔬菜嗎?人類拋棄採集食物的生活而選擇農牧生活後，真的有讓自己更為幸福快樂嗎?

I just realized how much effort that we need to devote to farming. Is farming a better choice for human beings instead of picking food from the wild? Human beings choose farming to save time but spend more time on growing food. Does that make sense?

They were watered heavily.

順應自然Be free in the nature

December 22, HT Garden

Non-heading Chinese cabbages grew more leaves and taller in a few days. I can't help to expect a great harvest. However, elder farmers keep remind me of caterpillars issue. 

看到小白菜的苗長的那麼快，不禁開始期待豐收的時刻。不過所有老經驗的菜農都說不噴藥就沒得吃。可是，我也不想吃下有毒的農藥啊?難道，真的會這麼慘?

晨曦露水MORNING DEW

December 20, HT Garden

植物果然還是需要露水的滋潤。育苗被搬到菜園後，就開始天生天養的日子。原來，環境越自然，照顧菜園好像就越不費力。

The dew-drops sparkling in the morning sunlight were the water of life for seedlings.

自然缺乏症nature deficit

December 15

My little assistant. After drowning my seedlings with her milk spoon, she started to cheer up them with her self-composted songs. Helping me is the most delighting task for her every morning. However, her great curiosity still didn't lead her to touch these seedlings with her little fingers. After my encouragement and demonstration, she would only touch them for less than one second. Why? I thought kids would love to touch plants with their animal instinct. Apparently, she needs to get more close to the nature and be taught about the wonder of nature. Hope her nature deficit problem will be solved one day.
巫老大超喜歡幫忙，每天早上第一樂事就是拿著奶粉湯匙幫我菜苗沐浴，還會唱著自編歌曲幫垂頭喪氣的菜苗振奮精神。很妙的是她不是很敢用手碰菜苗。我以為孩子們都是天不怕地不怕的，看來自然缺乏症真有其事。希望有一天她也能享受到自然的奇蹟。

compost diversity 什麼都加的堆肥

December 9 Nursery

 Beans planted on December 1st grew almost as tall as beans planted on November 24th. According to elders, beans should be planted directly in the soil. A bigger space may be more easier for beans to germinate.
看完一本關於土壤的書 (台灣的土壤，陳尊賢，許正一著，遠足文化) 之後，發現我們苗栗的土有許多都是酸性的紅土，貧瘠的很。本來還想研究加些什麼堆肥材料好幫助土壤酸鹼平衡，但這實在不是我現在的程度可以解決的問題，寫 email問農改場又沒回音。後來看到書上說多元化是堆肥成功的關鍵，這讓我下了一個輕鬆的決定，就把先前的五種堆肥和在一起吧!!!
I just read a book and found out that the soil in Miaoli is acid red soil lacking organic matters. It took me a while to think how to improve my soil and what compost materials would help.