Today@Arcosanti - Agriculture category

ARCOSANTI ORGANICS ANNUAL GARLIC HARVEST

The Arcosanti Organics crew has been busy at work this week with the annual Garlic Harvest. Agriculture staff / volunteers, as well as the Construction crew and one of the kids on summer vacation have all been part of picking. In late Autumn, the Paulownia Garden was planted with about a quarter acre of garlic cloves.

[Photo & text: Amber Klatt]

As well, another few rows of the flavour-rich vegetable were planted in the Chicken Garden. The farmers are at work delicately pulling the garlic from the ground. It is important not to damage either the head or the stalk, since the garlic will be braided together at a later date.

[Photo: Melissa Soluski & text: Amber Klatt]

Having a 'cash crop' like this is quite important to the Arcosanti Organics crew. This garlic is sold at the Farmers' Markets here at Arcosanti, but also in Prescott and surrounding communities - and, come fall, the vegetable will be entered in the County Fair competition.

[Photos: Melissa Soluski and Amber Klatt & text: Amber Klatt]

AGRICULTURE - TREE PRUNING

Arcosanti Organic Gardens are bustling with spring activities. The peach trees are in full pink bloom, making the orchard a splendid view from any point of the Arcosanti site.

[Photo & text: Amber Klatt]

Agriculture staff Katie Schroeder diligently clips another branch. Pruning has been the agenda for the garden crew these days, which is quite a project for a small team of farmers and an acre of orchard! The beautiful cuttings now brighten the Cafe and other spaces.

[Photo & text: Amber Klatt]

Agriculture Manager Lisa Willott irrigates a recently planted bed in the Paulownia Garden. Willott and crew are alternating the growing beds of garlic with new crops, including broccoli and celery in this case. (Note the 'row cover' that acts a simultaneous protector against varmints and the adjusting vernal temperatures.)

[Photo & text: Amber Klatt]

AGRICULTURE - COLD SEASON

Gorgeous temperatures during the later part of last week favored outdoor planting for the Arcosanti Organics crew.
Katie Schroeder (l) and Agriculture Manager Lisa Willott (r) bask in the sun while putting potatoes into the ground.

[Photo & text: Amber Klatt]

Ally Lennhouts celebrates the progress of the greens in the recently refurbished cold frames, located at the Agua Fria River's edge.

[Photo & text: Amber Klatt]

Adam Nordfors managed the agriculture department from 2000 to 2005. He now studies at ASU and visits Arcosanti on his winter break.
Paul Katan (l) and Adam Nordfors (r) work on the International. Thanks to their mechanical prowess, the tractor was running and en route to the ranch barn by mid-afternoon.

[Photo & text: Amber Klatt]