Untitled Document

FLAXCAM -Chapter 2 - GROWING

1. The first sprouts - May 11, 2001

After some lovely, cool and wet weather, the seeds started sprouting after only 6 days.

Until the plants are ca. 4" high, there is nothing to do but wait and hope the weather isn't too extreme.

This afternoon a mother duck was teaching her new ducklings to swim on the puddles in our house flower beds (non-swimmer section for safety???)

May 15, 2001 May 22, 2001

What a difference a week makes. In this short time, the cool, damp weather has produced healthy seedlings.

Preparing the soil was not easy, but weeds are not growing as quickly as the flax.

The seed washed a bit in the rain so the harvest will need to be sorted.

Otherwise the plot is green and growing - measuring stick is now in place to record progress.

May 30, 2001

Little plants almost 2 inches high.

The weather is now COLD and rainy so growth has slowed a bit.

The plants have turned a tad yellow, but should recover as soon as the sun comes out again.

REAL LITTLE PLANTS - JUNE 6, 2001

The little seedlings are now about 3 inches high and looking quite sturdy.

Weeding the plot will probably take place this weekend. It has rained so much in the last few days we will need to wait a bit for the ground to dry and firm up before going in - BAREFOOT to avoid damaging the plants.

JUNE 9, 2001 - WEEDING THE PLOT

This step needs to wait until the plants are 3-4" high and a bit resilient.

Then it was traditionally the job of women and children (lighter and small feet) to weed the flax field - BAREFOOT - so that the plants would not be broken off and probably stand up again in a short time.

June 9, 2001

June 16, 2001

NOW we're getting somewhere. The plants are standing 6-8 inches high after a mixed week of severe storms and hot, humid weather.

The flax is now over 12 inches high - time to put support strings of baling twine across the plot to keep the plants from being toppled by severe weather and strong winds.

June 21, 2001