At MoLaHo, we’ve been facing a bit of a challenge with our clay soil. It’s like the stubborn kid in class that just won’t cooperate! Many of our crops haven’t been thriving, so we decided it was time to roll up our sleeves and follow the permaculture way to rejuvenate our land and add some much-needed nutrients back into the soil.

First things first, we had to tackle the jungle of weeds that had taken over. Armed with gloves and determination, we dove into the deweeding process. It was sweaty work, as the sun had a knack for turning our backs into pools of sweat. But everyone was in it together, and we shared a few laughs while pulling those pesky weeds out by the roots!

Once the area was cleared, we moved on to the next step: mixing sheep manure with composted soil. It sounds a bit fancy, but really, we were just giving our soil a hearty meal! The smell was… well, let’s just say it was an earthy aroma that reminded us we were doing some serious gardening. After mixing it all together, we were ready for the next phase.

Next, we laid down cardboard over all the beds. This step was key to stopping weeds from sprouting up again. It was like giving our garden a protective blanket! We all chipped in, spreading the cardboard out as we tried to make sure every inch was covered. It felt good knowing we were taking proactive steps to keep those weeds at bay.

Then came the fun part—layering on the rich soil and our composted mix! Everyone was busy filling buckets and hauling soil, and let me tell you, we were all feeling the burn. Spreading the soil felt like a mini workout, and we were sweating bullets by the time we finished. But it was worth it to see our garden beds taking shape!

Finally, we topped everything off with a layer of woodchips and then a layer of straw. This would help retain moisture and keep the soil temperature just right. It added a lovely rustic look to our garden beds, like a cozy blanket for our future crops. As we spread the hay around, we were filled with the anticipation of what was to come—healthier plants thriving in their new, nutrient-rich environment.

Throughout the day, we all worked really hard, pouring our energy into each task. It was tiring, but the camaraderie made it enjoyable. We shared jokes, stories, and the satisfaction of knowing we were making a real difference in our land.

As the sun began to set, we stood back and admired our work. It felt incredible to see the transformation of the land and to know we were following the permaculture principles to create a sustainable future for our crops. Here’s to a thriving garden at MoLaHo, filled with life and nutrients! 🌱💪✨