I tilled my soil.

Well, actually, Mr. J tilled my soil; but the deed was still done.

I know. I know. I said I wouldn’t.

I have pontificated time and again on how no-till is the method to use. How tilling kills all the beneficial life in the soil. I have said that I would use a no-dig approach to my garden.

Then I ran out of time.

I spent the past two weeks weeding, spading, and raking by hand. I have planted my seedlings along the way. But this made a very small dent in the seedlings that needed planting and the soil that needed preparing. I looked at the amount of over-grown garden remaining, mentally listed all the plants and seeds left to be planted and concluded there was no way I could get it all done in time.

NOW is the time to plant all the things. The only way to get it all done is to till. And so, I tilled.

There. I said it. Now you know.

I am quickly learning that I can have all these grand ideas and ideals, but I am often short on the time and resources necessary to make them happen. I must adapt. Roll with the punches and move on.

But can I tell you how nice it is to till? The soil preparation that would have taken several days took just a few hours. I was able to get over 20 tomatoes and 16 tomatillos in the ground in no time. I am amending with kelp, rock phosphate, and pelleted chicken manure. I will add compost as I am able. I will build the soil with organic matter so that next year I won’t have to till.

Unless I do. And then I will.

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There are blessing in all things.

I borrowed the tiller from a church friend. When I picked it up, she asked if I needed garlic.

“Yes, I would love some garlic!”

How about mint, do you like this Amish mint?

“Yes, I would love some mint!”

Do you like rhubarb?

“I don’t know, but I can learn to cook with rhubarb.”

All the while she was breaking off fresh asparagus for me to munch on. This is what I want to be when I grow up. Homestead goals.

Do you have enough eggs?

Yes, we have enough eggs.”

Here, take two dozen home with you.

I dream of have such established abundance that I can share with a new farmer to her get started.

Until then, I am off to plant seeds in my freshly tilled soil.