The Farm: Mary and her Vetiver grass

For those of you who may not be in the loop, Mary found a little farm on the North Shore of Oahu last year on Craig's List. She's growing Vetiver...an amazing grass...fine web of roots grow 12-15 ft deep, stabilizing soil, preventing erosion, creating natural fence, preserving topsoil, and trapping moisture.
Here's Mary showing off her 18" Vetiver Hedge that can be used as a landscaping feature as well as being the environmental wonder we love. These plants are 1 yr old...from our first planting. They will continue for anther year to plump out into their mature 2' diameter clumps that when planted closely, interweave to create extremely effective barriers to runoff (and animals).

Shower at the Vetiver farm

Best part of "Farm Day" is Woody's outdoor shower! Water is sweet, fresh, and warmed by the sun.

David and Max joined us at the Vetiver Farm

David and Max, my brother and sister in law, trekked up to the Vetiver Farm with us on Tuesday. Max and I rode the planter while Mary and Dave filled in the spots we missed. We were able to plant 7 rows! Lo and behold, Woody found 1st gear on the tractor! Prior to this, it was truly the "Lucy and Ethel" show...trying desparately to keep up with the planter, barely able to breathe from laughing so hard!

Vetiver keiki (slips) in rooting hormone bath

Farmer John washing Vetiver

Woody washing the dirt off freshly harvested Vetiver plants.

Where we ready Vetiver for planting

Emily and Halia at the Vetiver Farm

We had a great day of Vetiver harvesting on Saturday. Woody harvested a row of adolescent plants from a very weedy row. The stock was amazing. Great yield. Keiki were abundant. We seem to really have the processing down. Woody hauls the harvest to the washing station. He cleared a great spot under a tree where we trim and soak the keiki in rooting hormone. We'll go up on thursday to plant.

The Farm...first planting day

Farm Day: I just unearthed this photo of our very first planting day up at our farm on the North Shore of Oahu. Mary found the 5 acre ag lease on Craig's list a year ago. This was our first Vetiver Planting done by hand! I had Altered Book group this morning, and my knee needed to rest from a cortisone shot a few days ago, so I didn't make it up for "Farm Day" with Mary, Jane, and Woody. The Vetiver, http://www.vetiversystems.com , is doing really well. They'll continue to harvest, split, and will most likely replant tomorrow. We'll have another farm day next weekend, so if you're in town, be sure to call or email to let us know you're coming!