Learning Organic Gardening the Mayan Way

Ok, so maybe we do have more to learn from the Mayans than they do
from us.  I guess we knew this before. We just wanted to help them remember their value as brothers and sisters in the Body.  Don Alfonso Vallejos has the most beautiful black dirt I have ever seen. He is in constant communication with the Lord about how to care for the land and there is no doubt that he is "Farming God's Way." He treats the earth with care, explaining that one can only burn once and that ash will provide useful nutrients for the soil, but that further burning would damage it.  Never plowing because of the loss of moisture it causes, he uses very simple tools.  He plans his crops in the area of the natural fertilizer of the washim tree; it provides nitrogen and potassium.  Over the years, many environmental groups have come to him for wisdom regarding farming.  We are fortunate to live next to his many acres and he has been teaching us and allowing us to help him.  We have begun with watermelon planting.  Holes were dug and soil loosened in rows, with the holes being about 5 feet apart.  When this was accomplished, the holes where filled with water one evening then again the next morning.  That evening, 5 watermelon seeds were planted in the walls of each of the holes.  The holes were then lightly covered with adjacent natural "mulch" so the "babies" would not get too hot.  Everyday without rain, the seeds were watered.   After about 3 days, we began to see the first little leaves popping through and then removed the topping mulch.  They were watered daily until they were about 1 1/2 inches tall then the topsoil was replaced around them.  They continue to thrive. (Photos L to R: Don Alfonso, Daniel & Pete; holes for watermelon seed; washim trees-2 photos; Daniel and Pete loosening dirt for holes.)