Holistic Arkansas Willow Springs Market Garden Page

Food for the Soul: One Man’s Journey into Organic Gardening
by Robert Lashley
"Nurturing your own crops - provide a peaceful, satisfying, and healthy respite from the stresses and strains of everyday life.

"Rodales Illustrated Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening."

Are you curious how organic gardening works? Want to know a good bug from a bad bug or the definition of a nematode?

We don't know all the answers to everything, but we are happy to share what we have learned within the last year. My name is Robert Lashley and along with my son, Alex, and friends Peg, Miss Willie and Tricia, we are developing a three-acre organic garden spot known as Willow Springs Market Garden, an organic garden in southern Pulaski County. Using horse manure from local stables, compost (home-made and purchased) and other amendments such as green sand and rock phosphate, we are enriching the sandy and rock-free (in Little Rock?) soil to grow organic produce in Central Arkansas.

My inspiration for starting this garden came from Eliot Coleman's book "The New Organic Grower." In his book, Coleman spells out strategies he has used to grow food organically for many years. Using his guidance, we bought a European made 2-wheel 10 horsepower diesel tractor with rotary plough, a tiller, a brush mower, dump trailer, mulch layer, drip tape layer all made to attach to the PTO, for around $8,000 new. For instance, well water from an on-site well and rainwater are our preferred methods of irrigation as the chlorine and other chemicals in city water is not good for the soil. However, the existing well we wanted to use on the property proved to be unusable, so there was an additional $6,000 spent to drill a new 280 ft well with a pump. Part of the additional progress within the last year is that the garden has been fenced. Dogs are also left free to run the space to help keep deer and raccoons away from the vegetables. Hopefully these and other occurrences will all be learning experiences.

Part of organic farming methods includes using what Nature provides. For example, many insect pests are eaten by a variety of birds. Nest boxes at Willow Springs Market Gardens attract Eastern bluebirds, as well as Carolina chickadees and tufted titmice. Ruby-throated hummingbirds squabble over the feeders in the hummingbird garden. Toads and lizards are encouraged too, with little toad houses to help them stay out of sight while waiting for an insect meal to pass. These animals all help reduce the need to combat the insect pests on the plants. When insect problems do occur, we use natural deterrents such as beneficial nematodes, green lacewings, or a simple soap and water solution applied with a gallon sprayer.

You might also be interested in what we have to offer you here at the farm. Initially we are experimenting with several different produce lines. Our first focus is on tomatoes, potatoes, lettuce, spinach and pumpkins. We will also have shiitake and oyster mushrooms, as well as apple, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries.

Nuts and bolts aside, I feel that gardening is also a spiritual experience. My "day job" as a registered nurse can be quite stressful and I find that the gardening work is a good "antidote." Part of all of us goes into the ground with the seed or a plant, and if it does not receive a little care and attention it could easily fail. Our small part of the world is connected to the whole, to everything and to everyone. By helping other living things we actually help ourselves. Long-term plans at Willow Springs includes a meditation garden for relaxation in a grove of trees near the vegetable garden. Another goal is to offer access to people in with physical disabilities who wish to get outside and pick some of their fruit and vegetables direct from the garden. A parking spot in the center of the garden and a flat area around provide wheelchair access to beds of fresh produce.

We are not experts. Last year’s potatoes were our greatest success, taste-wise, while trying to build a greenhouse "on the cheap" was a disaster. There will be other successes and failures, but there is a faith that by living with and aiding the environment we can benefit ourselves and others by growing some of the best tasting and nourishing fruits and vegetables in Central Arkansas. Volunteer workers are always welcome! Call or e-mail, if interested, 501-247-5077 or willowspringsmarketgarden@hotmail.com.

Editors note - As of April 1, 2007, Robert has the following for sale at his farm:

Gold nugget tomatoes

Arugula

Encore lettuce (a mixture of purple and green leaves)

Spinach

In addition, there will be a small organic gardening class Saturday, April 7 starting at about 11:00 a.m. - go to http://www.willowspringsmarketgarden.com for directions.