Vegetables! Post by Cory

This monarch didn't want to fly right away after emerging from its crisalis.
Fritz keeps finding more caterpillars on the butterfly weeds he collects
to feed the ones in his aquarium. 11 pupating right now.

After 20 years of not being able to grow many temperate vegetables in lowland Haiti, it is fun to be in a mild climate at an elevation for great vegetables as we wait for fruit and nut trees to grow.

I was able to make a supply trip to Port au Prince last week that was thankfully uneventful.

First trip since late April. 3 hours to get to the paved road but in town traffic was good.

 Only one small detour due to a road blocked by a bus near the airport. Protests and roadblocks are increasing lately.

Bok Choy

A missionary friend that I shared a truckload of trees from the Fauche nursery early last year purchased trees I wanted from a Dominican Republic nursery last fall about the time we left Haiti.

 I was able to meet for the trees and gave him mulberry trees for another mission to deliver on his way home.

This week almost everyone in our area is very busy harvesting the bean crop.

 Beans all ripened at once due to the rainy season starting so late.

Bok choy, turnips and sweet mustard from Hope Seeds

Germination was poor but then the weather was good for the beans that did grow and open air market prices are $1 or more per pound due to the worldwide bean shortage this year.

They are also selling well because the lower elevations around us had crop failure from the drought.

Our workers said they wanted to keep working when I said my work on the terrace could wait until after harvest if they needed some time off.

Broccoli and grape tomato

First time I've grown onion from seed

Roma tomato. Hoping hail doesn't shred the garden this year.

Newest terrace construction. Not much soil on this hillside but
we have a dirt pile from the house construction behind the person in orange

Popcorn in upper terrace doing as well as local corn in lower terrace
Both planted with beans

Turnip

Trees from the Dominican Republic, left to right:cinnamon, macadamia, allspice,
santol, strawberry guava, cola nut, allspice, rumberry, java plum, jaboticaba,
Surnam cherry, abiu

Day 70. Terraces, planting, weeding

New terraces

After last night's thunderstorm dumped one inch of rain, the guys do not have to haul water buckets for the trees today.

We continue to pray for rain for other parts of Haiti, as many spring crops desperately need the water.

The guys remain busy moving rocks and dirt for a few more terraces.

Planting corn, beans, popcorn and more

They also planted beans and corn in a new area that they cleared last week, we are calling that patch Hilltop.

Fritz, Cory, and I have also been busy planting: vegetable seeds, flower bulbs, seedlings, and trees. 

Seeds include: sunflowers, beets, green beans, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, sweet mustard, onions, turnips, carrots, broccoli, egg plant, kale, okra, zucchini, pumpkin, cilantro and grapefruit.

The apple trees have acted afraid to come out of dormancy probably due to the dry weather.

Chayote trellised on our house

A few are blooming and they should start leafing out better now that the weather is acting more like summer - warm and humid.

In addition to the good plants growing, the rain has stimulated the weeds.

 Fritz sits in a chair doing school for 1-2 hours in the morning while I weed. 

In the afternoons after school is done we head outside again. Fritz to play, move rocks, and empty my 5 gallon-bucket when it is full of weeds. 

School is going well for Fritz. Increased concentration results in shorter school days.

Hilltop garden. This dark soil type is the most fertile,
 but there is only a few inches over rock.

Some weeds are tiny things with a mat of shallow roots that you have to scoop up; beggar's ticks just take a easy tug; vines climb over everything-one type start out with a slender hair like vine- we try to get the roots/bulb; some have thorns so put on leather gloves and try to get the roots.

Watch out for fire ants!

Anna finished up her sophomore year at Calvin strongly and will enjoy a full 4 days off before starting summer class.

No shortage of rocks to make terraces

Covid-19 cases officially diagnosed now number over 1,300 with over 30 deaths.

LaGonave Wesleyan Hospital had their first suspected case who was sent home with masks and told to quarantine but was seen the next day playing dominoes outside his house.

Hunger continues to grow with folks not able to afford food and limited food available.

We continue to pray for the Lord's mercy, not just for Haiti but world wide.

Still many plants in the nursery to plant or share

May this be a time of prayer and reflection.

May many turn to God.

28 Asparagus from seeds planted in January