Days of Mowing, Tilling, Harvesting, and Selling!
July 14, 2026
Today, with no hospital visits and my strength having returned a little, I was able to focus on farm work properly for the first time in a while. The main task was tilling with the tractor. It was a day of steady, manageable progress.
Recovery of strength and tractor work
Although I was working under the strong sun, it didn't feel as physically taxing as I had expected since it wasn't a task that required walking around. It was a day of carefully building up what I could do while checking in with my physical condition.
Continuing on the prepared fields
In the fields that the Hidamari members had taken care of on Sunday, the tops of the weeds had already been cleared. I took over from there and carefully tilled the soil using the tractor. Feeling the connection between human labor and machine work, I was reminded once again of the benefits of approaching farming as a team.
Soil preparation to support summer vegetables
I also tilled the outer perimeter of the summer vegetable field ridges, advancing the soil preparation for the next stage of growth. Soil preparation as a preliminary step to growing crops is one of the most important, albeit understated, processes.
Farming work that takes time
To properly return the dense growth of weeds to the soil, a single tilling is not enough. It is necessary to till the same area multiple times at a low speed, which takes about twice as long as it did in early spring. In return, the time spent facing nature is longer, and I truly feel the depth of agriculture.
Harvesting, shipping, and the realization of the harvest
In parallel with my work, my wife proceeded with the harvest of Manganji peppers and zucchini. After the work was done, we were able to ship them to the local farm stand, making it a fulfilling day.
The Manganji peppers are the first step toward a full-scale harvest. I have confirmed a solid yield and feel a sense of accomplishment. The zucchini are also growing well, and our daily efforts are taking shape.
The summer fields that will expand from here
From here on, okra and green beans will be added, and the fields will become even livelier. I feel that the true thrill of agriculture and the flow of the seasons are packed into the busyness of the harvest.
The accumulation of day-to-day work leads to things like maintaining quality for sale and reaching the dining table. Cherishing that realization, I want to continue walking alongside nature.
