I plant a small field at the end of my parking lot in grain; wheat, oats, or barley. It started as a way to replace the weeds the previous owner let be, but ove

I plant a small field at the end of my parking lot in grain; wheat, oats, or barley. It started as a way to replace the weeds the previous owner let be, but over the years it has become its own challenge. The progress from bare soil to green shoots, tallish grass, grain heads and then the dried straw color before harvest ties the viewer to the seasons. It’s a small field. 1/20th of an acre (1/50th of a hectare if you go that way), but since I do all the work by hand it keeps it from being a burden. The down side of being the only grain field for miles around is that wildlife can wipe me out. A large flock of birds before harvest can do serious damage. Lately I lose most of the crop to sleeping deer which mash it down before harvest. On a good year I make more seed than I plant.