The unusually warm weather gets a lot of attention and rightly so. But you need to be careful that you don't fool yourself by thinking that seeds and transplants can be "pushed" forward due to this spate of warm weather.
The thought is tempting. I did this a few years ago with string beans and got a sub par first crop. So, I'm holding the course.
The problem with this warm weather is that it is pushing other things too such as diseases and pests. So instead of getting that nice reprieve that early Spring gives you from those kinds of problems, you now have to instantly gear up for them right from the start, as if you were planting in May or June. Already I have seen cabbage moths and cucumber beetles and those crops aren't even in the ground yet!
The one saving grace has been that the humidity is low and the wind warm and active. This keeps the incidence of fungal diseases low which is good. But it also means drier soil so you have to keep that water on the transplants constantly. We just hooked up a new drip system and it works like a charm! Just in time too as the lettuce and spinach are not used to being this hot and dry. We probably lost some spinach due to these conditions but that's the way it goes!
Today we are planting radishes, beets, carrots, peas, more lettuce and spinach. It will be the first direct seeding of the season. To me, this is like the opening day of something special. Although I prefer to use transplants because of the energy a seed needs to get going, there is no other feeling than seeing a row of seeds pop through the ground and start to emerge in spring.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
What money can't buy
You'd think with the gorgeous weather that we've been getting that everything would fall into place. Not quite. So what started as a rough work day, ended as beautiful as you would ever want to experience.
We planted the rest of the lettuce and spinach yesterday and got a nice .11" rain this morning. You'd think I had pleased the red Gods. The sun came out and it got warm. No problemo.
Then the wind started. Not just any wind - a south western blow that was warm! Great for hay making, terrible for planting new plants that haven't taken yet. Within a matter of hours, the nice rain we had this morning was gone, turned into dust and with it went the paper mulch experiment. Instead of lying down with the rain, the sun and wind dried it up like a dead leaf and it blew off the row. Dad and I disgustedly took it up and chalked it up to experience. No paper mulch this year - maybe. Anyway, Dad and I have been through enough heartaches to know that's farming and we moved on.
I went back after dinner tonight to finish weeding an established row of spinach and hand water the spinach transplants because they are in a fragile state right now and need as much moisture as possible. We are waiting on an irrigation system from Farm Rite, which was supposed to be here last week but has yet to arrive. It's not time to start the pump with the sprinkler heads yet, so we are resorting to hand watering to get the first crop going. A tough spot but things could be worse. At least the hose is out by the beds so we don't have to walk far with the watering cans.
Anyway, I had a nice supper (a light supper Deb) and went back to work. The difference between working in 70-degree weather in March and 70-degree weather in the summer is that there are no mosquitoes to contend with. It makes it so pleasant. So as the sun settled in, the last of the robins cheerfully called to their own and as they quieted for the night, the Spring Peepers took over. Besides the laugh of your child, there are no better sounds than the Spring Peepers on a still Spring evening.
Thus inspired, I managed to "plow" three 100-square foot beds in preparation for Thursday and Friday's bed making. When I say plow here, I don't mean a three-bottom job on the back of the John Deere. I mean taking the pitch fork and plunging it into the soil to loosen the top layer for weeding and preparation for the double dig bed process. I know, I know. But I'm learning and I think I am closer to getting it down this time. Dad hasn't bought into the idea yet and I'm sure he will be rarin' to go with the power rototiller.
At any rate, I got done more tonight in an hour and a half than I did this afternoon in an hour and a half. You can thank the peepers and the beautiful sights in the clear sky for that burst of energy and production.
We planted the rest of the lettuce and spinach yesterday and got a nice .11" rain this morning. You'd think I had pleased the red Gods. The sun came out and it got warm. No problemo.
Then the wind started. Not just any wind - a south western blow that was warm! Great for hay making, terrible for planting new plants that haven't taken yet. Within a matter of hours, the nice rain we had this morning was gone, turned into dust and with it went the paper mulch experiment. Instead of lying down with the rain, the sun and wind dried it up like a dead leaf and it blew off the row. Dad and I disgustedly took it up and chalked it up to experience. No paper mulch this year - maybe. Anyway, Dad and I have been through enough heartaches to know that's farming and we moved on.
I went back after dinner tonight to finish weeding an established row of spinach and hand water the spinach transplants because they are in a fragile state right now and need as much moisture as possible. We are waiting on an irrigation system from Farm Rite, which was supposed to be here last week but has yet to arrive. It's not time to start the pump with the sprinkler heads yet, so we are resorting to hand watering to get the first crop going. A tough spot but things could be worse. At least the hose is out by the beds so we don't have to walk far with the watering cans.
Anyway, I had a nice supper (a light supper Deb) and went back to work. The difference between working in 70-degree weather in March and 70-degree weather in the summer is that there are no mosquitoes to contend with. It makes it so pleasant. So as the sun settled in, the last of the robins cheerfully called to their own and as they quieted for the night, the Spring Peepers took over. Besides the laugh of your child, there are no better sounds than the Spring Peepers on a still Spring evening.
Thus inspired, I managed to "plow" three 100-square foot beds in preparation for Thursday and Friday's bed making. When I say plow here, I don't mean a three-bottom job on the back of the John Deere. I mean taking the pitch fork and plunging it into the soil to loosen the top layer for weeding and preparation for the double dig bed process. I know, I know. But I'm learning and I think I am closer to getting it down this time. Dad hasn't bought into the idea yet and I'm sure he will be rarin' to go with the power rototiller.
At any rate, I got done more tonight in an hour and a half than I did this afternoon in an hour and a half. You can thank the peepers and the beautiful sights in the clear sky for that burst of energy and production.
Monday, March 12, 2012
We're off!
Yesterday and today will be spent in planting. Yesterday was considered a success. Why? Because nothing went as planned. I don't want to sound sarcastic but when things go smoothly without any hitches, it means that somewhere along the line things will go wrong. Better to have things go slowly the first time out so you can correct the problems, then to have a major glitch down the road.
First, the tilther we bought was too light for the soil we have at the moment. The little machine is not made to work over untilled or little tilled ground. It is made to incorporate into a ready made bed. Dad tried it out on some ground that had crusted over already and when it didn't work to his expectations, announced that the machine was "useless". That took me off my mindset that I had established for the day. To make a long story short, the machine will work under certain conditions and with the right handling. On the first day, Dad and I exhibited the wrong amount of patience, which was none. Over time, it will work out.
As I was saying, going into the game with a game plan and not executing it because of a glitch or an unforeseen circumstance that was not planned for can make for a very hectic experience. Whether it is a football game or a day on the farm, when you run up against something you did not plan and go away from what you wanted to do, it becomes stressful.
Dad and I were not on the same page when it came to planting the lettuce. To be quite fair when you are trying new techniques or products it can get like this. I wanted to work the soil so that it was more aerated and set about using the pitch fork. Dad wanted to run the rototiller through it again. I had to hold him off from doing that.
What did work right was the incorporation of the Bumper Crop and the laying of the mulch. Both were new experiences. Bumper Crop is expensive at $13.99 for two square feet. But I learned that I can work with it successfully up to 100 feet of one of the rows. The mulch took some handling because it was a bit windy but we got it down and moved on. It was so windy in fact that when we watered the mulch (as directed by instructions) that the water dried up within minutes. I feared for the safety of the plants under those conditions but we did the planting in the mid to late afternoon so they didn't sit out there all day.
Another project got under way. I started to build a mini-greenhouse for starting plants. I took some aluminum pipe that we use for irrigated and lined it up on both sides and tied them together with a couple of stakes. Then I closed the ends with cinder block. This is a method I learned from Grandpop. It is about three feet off the ground and facing South for maximum sunlight. It is also located on a rise to help heat it. Anyway I will close off any gaps with some kind of insulation (like straw) and cover the top with leftover plastic sheeting. The trays will sit inside two by two. Hopefully, this will create a condition for the successful starting of plants.
First, the tilther we bought was too light for the soil we have at the moment. The little machine is not made to work over untilled or little tilled ground. It is made to incorporate into a ready made bed. Dad tried it out on some ground that had crusted over already and when it didn't work to his expectations, announced that the machine was "useless". That took me off my mindset that I had established for the day. To make a long story short, the machine will work under certain conditions and with the right handling. On the first day, Dad and I exhibited the wrong amount of patience, which was none. Over time, it will work out.
As I was saying, going into the game with a game plan and not executing it because of a glitch or an unforeseen circumstance that was not planned for can make for a very hectic experience. Whether it is a football game or a day on the farm, when you run up against something you did not plan and go away from what you wanted to do, it becomes stressful.
Dad and I were not on the same page when it came to planting the lettuce. To be quite fair when you are trying new techniques or products it can get like this. I wanted to work the soil so that it was more aerated and set about using the pitch fork. Dad wanted to run the rototiller through it again. I had to hold him off from doing that.
What did work right was the incorporation of the Bumper Crop and the laying of the mulch. Both were new experiences. Bumper Crop is expensive at $13.99 for two square feet. But I learned that I can work with it successfully up to 100 feet of one of the rows. The mulch took some handling because it was a bit windy but we got it down and moved on. It was so windy in fact that when we watered the mulch (as directed by instructions) that the water dried up within minutes. I feared for the safety of the plants under those conditions but we did the planting in the mid to late afternoon so they didn't sit out there all day.
Another project got under way. I started to build a mini-greenhouse for starting plants. I took some aluminum pipe that we use for irrigated and lined it up on both sides and tied them together with a couple of stakes. Then I closed the ends with cinder block. This is a method I learned from Grandpop. It is about three feet off the ground and facing South for maximum sunlight. It is also located on a rise to help heat it. Anyway I will close off any gaps with some kind of insulation (like straw) and cover the top with leftover plastic sheeting. The trays will sit inside two by two. Hopefully, this will create a condition for the successful starting of plants.
Friday, March 9, 2012
The incredible, edible . . .weed?
I just finished reading John Jeavons book about growing vegetables. I have to say that it is the most comprehensive book that I have read outside of Rodale about understanding the soil and sustainable practices.
The methods that are used in the Biointensive culture are very simple yet make a lot of sense. In the week that I have taken to read the book, it has changed my outlook on what I want to do this year and in the future.
I have to admit that I have put a lot of mental power into my operation so far. Probably more than I have ever taken the time to do. Reading this book expanded my thinking not just about the soil but about the potential and ability to raise a lot of food in a small amount of space. I have often wondered after seeing the results of some of my experiences and those of others how you can grow food in a small enough space and continue to refresh that space with the right amount of materials to keep it not only productive but very healthy. Just like our bodies. At the same time, I have been proud of my ability to raise and sell more vegetables per square foot than most commercial farms.
This book is the only source that I have come across so far that has commented on what we call "weeds" and placed them in a context that makes you think about their place in all of this. I have often wondered why "weeds" grow better under all conditions when my cultivated plants struggle or do not produce as well as they are expected to. It's because the "weeds" were made to live there. I know that sounds innocuous but it goes to speak that if we raise vegetables that are defined for the culture of my soil then we should be successful.
I have said facetiously at times, "If I could only harvest these weeds, I could make a lot of money." Well, there is some truth to that. When I think that plants such as purslane, lambs quarters and dandelion, plants that people pull out and throw away, are considered edible by many people and cultures, I feel I am missing the boat. Nature is giving me an opportunity to use something and I am looking past it because it is the ugly girl at the prom.
Granted, the reason we pull weeds is because of competition. But think for a moment about the "weeds" providing a beneficial source of food and enriching the soil. There has to be some room in there for their utility. I have a vision of using "weeds" as cultivated plants on the farm stand and someone saying, "Uh, why do have lambs quarters on your table? I wouldn't eat that!" Why not, do you know what it tastes like? What its health benefits are? Or can't you get past the image of it as a "weed"?
After thinking about all of this, I was curious to find out the root of the word (no pun intended) "weed". It comes from the Old English word, "weod" which translates back to a Germanic word "wiota" which is a description of a fern. If I were to guess, I would say that "wiota" was a plant that was not liked very much because it was prolific and caused someone a lot of work to remove. Pretty soon, "wiota" came to mean any plant which was undesirable. But undesirable how? Surely by its taking up of space not by its existence and benefits as a soil producer or a food source.
The reality is that anything we eat at some point was uncultivated and grew in the wild. The best story is the tomato, which at one time was considered poisonous!
Don't worry, I won't let the farm go up in "weeds". But there are spots on the farm that house these kind of plants where we don't cultivate that soil. It may be time to see how we can incorporate them into the operation as opposed to trying to eradicate every last one of them.
The methods that are used in the Biointensive culture are very simple yet make a lot of sense. In the week that I have taken to read the book, it has changed my outlook on what I want to do this year and in the future.
I have to admit that I have put a lot of mental power into my operation so far. Probably more than I have ever taken the time to do. Reading this book expanded my thinking not just about the soil but about the potential and ability to raise a lot of food in a small amount of space. I have often wondered after seeing the results of some of my experiences and those of others how you can grow food in a small enough space and continue to refresh that space with the right amount of materials to keep it not only productive but very healthy. Just like our bodies. At the same time, I have been proud of my ability to raise and sell more vegetables per square foot than most commercial farms.
This book is the only source that I have come across so far that has commented on what we call "weeds" and placed them in a context that makes you think about their place in all of this. I have often wondered why "weeds" grow better under all conditions when my cultivated plants struggle or do not produce as well as they are expected to. It's because the "weeds" were made to live there. I know that sounds innocuous but it goes to speak that if we raise vegetables that are defined for the culture of my soil then we should be successful.
I have said facetiously at times, "If I could only harvest these weeds, I could make a lot of money." Well, there is some truth to that. When I think that plants such as purslane, lambs quarters and dandelion, plants that people pull out and throw away, are considered edible by many people and cultures, I feel I am missing the boat. Nature is giving me an opportunity to use something and I am looking past it because it is the ugly girl at the prom.
Granted, the reason we pull weeds is because of competition. But think for a moment about the "weeds" providing a beneficial source of food and enriching the soil. There has to be some room in there for their utility. I have a vision of using "weeds" as cultivated plants on the farm stand and someone saying, "Uh, why do have lambs quarters on your table? I wouldn't eat that!" Why not, do you know what it tastes like? What its health benefits are? Or can't you get past the image of it as a "weed"?
After thinking about all of this, I was curious to find out the root of the word (no pun intended) "weed". It comes from the Old English word, "weod" which translates back to a Germanic word "wiota" which is a description of a fern. If I were to guess, I would say that "wiota" was a plant that was not liked very much because it was prolific and caused someone a lot of work to remove. Pretty soon, "wiota" came to mean any plant which was undesirable. But undesirable how? Surely by its taking up of space not by its existence and benefits as a soil producer or a food source.
The reality is that anything we eat at some point was uncultivated and grew in the wild. The best story is the tomato, which at one time was considered poisonous!
Don't worry, I won't let the farm go up in "weeds". But there are spots on the farm that house these kind of plants where we don't cultivate that soil. It may be time to see how we can incorporate them into the operation as opposed to trying to eradicate every last one of them.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Digging double digging
There is always something new and exciting to learn on the farm. Yesterday, I couldn't wait to get home from work to try and do some double digging of a bed. I have been reading and watching material on it plus I just want to get my hands dirty, it's that time of the year. But I should have known that excitement of this magnitude can lead to some rushing in and hurrying things where you shouldn't be rushing in and hurrying things.
I got my digging board and my newly-purchased spade shovel and spade fork and went out to the spot where I would try the bed. The Biointensive method that I have been studying shows a lot of promise but I have to temper my enthusiasm and slowly work my way into doing it. So I have decided that I am going to do some beds this year using the method and see how it works out. It may be the way of the future or it may not, depending on my goals long range for the farm.
First thing I needed to do was lay out the bed. I know 100 square feet is recommended and I have plenty of room, so five feet wide and 20 feet long it is. That was easy. Then came the first baby steps of a Biointensive bed farmer.
I plunged the spade shovel into the ground and turned to dig the 12-inch deep and 12-inch wide furrow. I noticed right away that I was doing more work than I was supposed to and a red flag went up in my head. Nonetheless, I "plowed" forward and did the first trench. I did not have buckets or a wheelbarrow as recommended so I piled the dirt next to the trench. That was the second thing I noticed that I had hurriedly mis-calculated. Oh, well, it couldn't be that big a deal. Dirt is dirt. The soil from the first trench would go back into the last trench anyhow or be used for a future compost pile.
Next thing I noticed was that the soil was still wet six inches into the ground. The top is sandy loam so it drains easily but after that you get into a mix with clay and that was where the water was sitting. This was a big mistake digging at this point because you never mess with soil when it is wet. Compaction and a break down of the structure are disasters waiting to happen.
But my enthusiasm did not wane because I wanted to experience the event so I foolhardedly moved on. I then had to decide if the trench needed to be cleanly formed or if it was good enough to have it opened up. I noticed that I was taking up the next strata and mixing it with my top soil, which was a no-no. It was at this point that I decided that I needed to go back and re-read the manual. God bless enthusiasm. I plowed ahead. Now I know what they mean by a bull in the China shop. I found myself stepping into the trench as if I were digging a grave. Another no-no. I was compacting the soil! I quickly jumped out and tried to figure things out.
Evenutally, I got the trench clean to the point where it was time for the next step, aerating the next 12 inches. I took my spading fork and plunged it into the soil. I was really working up a sweat at this point but I kept going. I lifted the dirt and turned it over in the trench. Now I was ready for the next trench, where I would put the top soil from the next 12 inches into the first 12 inches.
I did that and forked the second trench and did a third trench before stopping. By this time the bells in my head were ringing like a 6-alarm fire call and luckily it was getting dark. I stepped back and observed my work. Wet soil, a sore body and not much to speak of. It was time to go back to the manual and find out what I did wrong.
I decided rather than reading over and figuring out what I did, I would pop in the DVD and watch someone else do it. Good move. Here is what I saw compared to my experience.
First, I neglected the step of taking my spading fork and loosing the top layer before I started to dig the trench. That was half the reason why I was working so hard! The other half was that the soil was still heavy with water because it has been slow to drain due to the cool temperatures.
Then I noticed that the buckets used to move the soil were a good organizer for the latter steps. Memo to self - go to Cedar Brook Hardware and get eight buckets.
I was right when I dug a 12-inch deep and 12-inch wide trench, so I patted myself on the back. But the third and final mistake was that when I went to work the second 12 inches with the spading fork, I just needed to plunge the fork in 12 inches and loosen the soil, not turn it over in the trench! Another reason why I was working too hard.
I took solace in the fact that it was my first attempt and luckily I have only done three trenches instead of a whole bed.
This morning as I was reading the farmer's almanac, I noticed that next week is supposed to be the best time to make a bed. So I will wait at the right time and armed with my experience and new knowledge, give'er the old college try again. One thing's for sure - my enthusiasm has not been tempered.
I got my digging board and my newly-purchased spade shovel and spade fork and went out to the spot where I would try the bed. The Biointensive method that I have been studying shows a lot of promise but I have to temper my enthusiasm and slowly work my way into doing it. So I have decided that I am going to do some beds this year using the method and see how it works out. It may be the way of the future or it may not, depending on my goals long range for the farm.
First thing I needed to do was lay out the bed. I know 100 square feet is recommended and I have plenty of room, so five feet wide and 20 feet long it is. That was easy. Then came the first baby steps of a Biointensive bed farmer.
I plunged the spade shovel into the ground and turned to dig the 12-inch deep and 12-inch wide furrow. I noticed right away that I was doing more work than I was supposed to and a red flag went up in my head. Nonetheless, I "plowed" forward and did the first trench. I did not have buckets or a wheelbarrow as recommended so I piled the dirt next to the trench. That was the second thing I noticed that I had hurriedly mis-calculated. Oh, well, it couldn't be that big a deal. Dirt is dirt. The soil from the first trench would go back into the last trench anyhow or be used for a future compost pile.
Next thing I noticed was that the soil was still wet six inches into the ground. The top is sandy loam so it drains easily but after that you get into a mix with clay and that was where the water was sitting. This was a big mistake digging at this point because you never mess with soil when it is wet. Compaction and a break down of the structure are disasters waiting to happen.
But my enthusiasm did not wane because I wanted to experience the event so I foolhardedly moved on. I then had to decide if the trench needed to be cleanly formed or if it was good enough to have it opened up. I noticed that I was taking up the next strata and mixing it with my top soil, which was a no-no. It was at this point that I decided that I needed to go back and re-read the manual. God bless enthusiasm. I plowed ahead. Now I know what they mean by a bull in the China shop. I found myself stepping into the trench as if I were digging a grave. Another no-no. I was compacting the soil! I quickly jumped out and tried to figure things out.
Evenutally, I got the trench clean to the point where it was time for the next step, aerating the next 12 inches. I took my spading fork and plunged it into the soil. I was really working up a sweat at this point but I kept going. I lifted the dirt and turned it over in the trench. Now I was ready for the next trench, where I would put the top soil from the next 12 inches into the first 12 inches.
I did that and forked the second trench and did a third trench before stopping. By this time the bells in my head were ringing like a 6-alarm fire call and luckily it was getting dark. I stepped back and observed my work. Wet soil, a sore body and not much to speak of. It was time to go back to the manual and find out what I did wrong.
I decided rather than reading over and figuring out what I did, I would pop in the DVD and watch someone else do it. Good move. Here is what I saw compared to my experience.
First, I neglected the step of taking my spading fork and loosing the top layer before I started to dig the trench. That was half the reason why I was working so hard! The other half was that the soil was still heavy with water because it has been slow to drain due to the cool temperatures.
Then I noticed that the buckets used to move the soil were a good organizer for the latter steps. Memo to self - go to Cedar Brook Hardware and get eight buckets.
I was right when I dug a 12-inch deep and 12-inch wide trench, so I patted myself on the back. But the third and final mistake was that when I went to work the second 12 inches with the spading fork, I just needed to plunge the fork in 12 inches and loosen the soil, not turn it over in the trench! Another reason why I was working too hard.
I took solace in the fact that it was my first attempt and luckily I have only done three trenches instead of a whole bed.
This morning as I was reading the farmer's almanac, I noticed that next week is supposed to be the best time to make a bed. So I will wait at the right time and armed with my experience and new knowledge, give'er the old college try again. One thing's for sure - my enthusiasm has not been tempered.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Doing a little housekeeping
This weekend has left me much time to do a little housekeeping and less time to write. So while I put off grading papers for tomorrow, I figured I better not let another day go without updating what is going on at the farm.
Dad and I spent the last two days doing odds and ends. Since we got a good, heavy rain on Friday, field work was out of the question. So we picked up the lettuce and spinach plants at Kube Pak and are lettting them harden in the shed. Since it was cold and windy the last two days, it's not a good idea to exposure them to the outside just yet. The long-range forecast for the coming week is to moderate into warmer temperatures so they will have their day in the sun before long. Plus, my target date to plant them will be next weekend.
In preparation for that planting, we spent some time on Saturday bending tubing for the low tunnels that will protect the plants once they go into the ground. It is the first time I have used the bending tool and it was a breeze once I got the hang of it. It will be used for a 36-inch row that is approximately 100 feet long.
I finished cleaning up the blackberry patch. Now I will add the compost around the plants and fertilize and they will be good to go.
Finally, we cleaned out the sheds and organized everything. Old seed packets and trash were discarded and all seed was organized for easier use. Once we get going into full production, there is no time for this kind of work. Also, I checked the machinery to make sure it is in good working order and finished the day by wirebrushing and filing the hoes and wire weeders to a sharp edge. Tools that are very sharp are much easier to work with and do minimal damage to the soil.
Last Friday we received our latest piece of equipment, a tilther from Johnny's Selected Seeds. This 15-inch wide mini-rototiller is used to finish a seed or plant bed by working the top 2-4 inches just before planting. It runs on a cordless drill, so we don't have to worry about gasoline. I am looking forwad to using it next weekend for the first time.
Dad and I spent some time discussing the planting of the potatoes, which will probably happen in the next five weeks. Usually, we use a furrow maker hooked to the tractor and scratch open a 10-inch hole. But I am re-thinking that method as I want to be sure that the plants will have good soil structure to lay roots in. Using the furrow making could lead to hard pan, something I want to avoid. I am kicking around the idea of "double digging" the rows and laying a compost in the furrow to give the seed a good start. Stay tuned and you'll find out where I am going with this.
Dad and I spent the last two days doing odds and ends. Since we got a good, heavy rain on Friday, field work was out of the question. So we picked up the lettuce and spinach plants at Kube Pak and are lettting them harden in the shed. Since it was cold and windy the last two days, it's not a good idea to exposure them to the outside just yet. The long-range forecast for the coming week is to moderate into warmer temperatures so they will have their day in the sun before long. Plus, my target date to plant them will be next weekend.
In preparation for that planting, we spent some time on Saturday bending tubing for the low tunnels that will protect the plants once they go into the ground. It is the first time I have used the bending tool and it was a breeze once I got the hang of it. It will be used for a 36-inch row that is approximately 100 feet long.
I finished cleaning up the blackberry patch. Now I will add the compost around the plants and fertilize and they will be good to go.
Finally, we cleaned out the sheds and organized everything. Old seed packets and trash were discarded and all seed was organized for easier use. Once we get going into full production, there is no time for this kind of work. Also, I checked the machinery to make sure it is in good working order and finished the day by wirebrushing and filing the hoes and wire weeders to a sharp edge. Tools that are very sharp are much easier to work with and do minimal damage to the soil.
Last Friday we received our latest piece of equipment, a tilther from Johnny's Selected Seeds. This 15-inch wide mini-rototiller is used to finish a seed or plant bed by working the top 2-4 inches just before planting. It runs on a cordless drill, so we don't have to worry about gasoline. I am looking forwad to using it next weekend for the first time.
Dad and I spent some time discussing the planting of the potatoes, which will probably happen in the next five weeks. Usually, we use a furrow maker hooked to the tractor and scratch open a 10-inch hole. But I am re-thinking that method as I want to be sure that the plants will have good soil structure to lay roots in. Using the furrow making could lead to hard pan, something I want to avoid. I am kicking around the idea of "double digging" the rows and laying a compost in the furrow to give the seed a good start. Stay tuned and you'll find out where I am going with this.
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