[Vol. 14] Catching the Rain, Cultivating the Summer—Fields During the Rainy Season and a "Circular Life" ☔🌱
🌾 Mown grass, along with the rain
I have gathered the grass I mowed the other day and piled it up in a corner of the field.
The rain of the rainy season falls quietly onto that mound.
The wet grass gradually begins to hold heat and steam.
As time passes, it will decompose and eventually return to the soil.
The grass is not wasted, either.
I believe it will become the next source of nutrients—a part of the cycle.
Of course, it is not a matter of leaving it completely alone.
If I am concerned about airflow or odors, I might move it slightly or break it up roughly by hand.
Not doing too much, but not leaving it entirely to its own devices.
That balance is just right.
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☔ No need to rush on days you can't go out
When the rainy season arrives, there are days when I cannot go out to the fields depending on the weather.
But on those days, there is no need to rush.
・The decision to intentionally "skip" work
・Switching gears for the next day
・Organizing tools and seedlings in the shed
Sometimes I go to check on things for a short time when there's a break in the weather,
and on days with light rain, I might just put on my boots and clear away a little bit of grass.
Deciding "not to push myself today" is also one way of approaching the field.
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🌞 Things you can do now to prepare for summer
The rainy season isn't just a time for waiting.
There are things you can do precisely because the soil is moist right now.
・Weed roots are easier to pull out
・Light land preparation taking advantage of the soil's softness
・Thinking about locations for future planting
・Reviewing unused spaces
When summer arrives, the weeds and insects suddenly become full of life.
That is precisely why the preparations made now will pay off later.
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🌱 A Sense of Connection with Nature
The heavy mud clinging to the soles of my boots,
crops growing silently in the damp air.
The field on a rainy day has a different expression than on a sunny one.
Neither the weeds nor the water are wasted.
If you work with them well, everything leads to "cultivating."
The rainy season is quiet, but preparations for the next season are definitely moving forward.
While surrendering to that flow, take it slow and don't rush.
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🔧 Note 🌦️
This article is based solely on personal experience and impressions.
🛠️ There are specific precautions for the tools and work methods used,
📍Appropriate methods also vary depending on the region and environment.
⚠️ When implementing these, please always proceed safely based on your own judgment and responsibility.
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Fields, bodies, and investments—a way of life that keeps on tilling.
Renji Enko
