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Post by johno on Mar 13, 2009 1:49:26 GMT -5
My brother-in-law/neighbor got a 50 hp tractor w/ front end loader a couple weeks ago, which is big enough to do almost anything we need to do here in the valley. We've been getting out the old plows, harrows, mowers, etc. from days gone by. He has taken up an interest in agriculture lately, lucky for me.
A couple days ago we flagged 3 terraces (so as to catch rainwater) across the 2 acre field next door to me and plowed them for the first time in around 30+ years. Back then they plowed the entire field - we're just doing about 450' x 6' total (2,700 square feet). I spaced them wide enough apart to run a hay rake between them so we can grow our mulch just uphill of each bed. The soil looks good now while it's moist, but I know it will take at least a year of working organic matter into the clay before it's really ready to produce, probably longer. But I'll grow some food there this year besides legumes, grains and jerusalem artichokes, anyway...
I took pics, but my batteries are recharging presently...
He is also plowing where he kept pigs this fall and winter, and I'll plow the area downhill from my garden where I have been growing vetch for several years to increase organic matter.
I'm excited to be increasing our food production area so much! Now I can do more trials, too. Water will be the limiting factor.
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Post by grungy on Mar 13, 2009 3:41:59 GMT -5
great news, Johno. Let us know how the fields produced.
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Post by Penny on Mar 13, 2009 5:07:58 GMT -5
Good news, sounds like you will be busy~~!
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Post by plantsnobin on Mar 13, 2009 8:19:52 GMT -5
That's great Johno. I am all for the old ways of doing things, but a front end loader sure does make big jobs easier.
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Post by Jim on Mar 14, 2009 17:51:13 GMT -5
great news Johno..
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Post by johno on Mar 15, 2009 2:14:54 GMT -5
Thanks all. I'm not sure how I'm gonna' keep up with it all, but it will be fun trying!
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Post by grungy on Mar 15, 2009 3:16:37 GMT -5
Johno, you just keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep telling yourself you are in it for the fun of it, and you can only do so much in a given day. That's all anyone can expect of themselves and do.
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Post by sandbar on Mar 15, 2009 15:24:22 GMT -5
Hey, Johno, this is exciting news! Of course, we will now require you to keep us updated with photos and the progress of the new crops ...  |
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Post by johno on Mar 20, 2009 20:32:07 GMT -5
Ugh with the photos (until my new laptop comes in next week!) I spent a whole day uploading photos to photobucket recently and only made a little headway. Ancient computer and software...
Rock on with the progress! Eric and I planted lots today with Earthway seeders, after dragging the beds smooth with some chainlink fence - Anasazi beans, Top Crop beans, Contender beans, and a good start on a Three Sisters section. We fertilized in the furrows with soybean meal and rabbit food (read mini alfalfa pellets), dragged the tops off the hills with rakes to cover the fertilizer, and sowed Astronomy Domine F3s. Every 7' or so I mixed in cow manure for squash hills. Later on we'll plant squash and half runner beans. It's gonna' rain tonight/tomorrow. I have steel hoops and plastic at the ready for cool nights. We're gambling on the weather with the beans, but I don't want to gamble with the corn. Eric has a 200 gallon water tank that we can move around this summer when it's dry as a bone.
I had already planted Jerusalem artichokes and sowed Yellow Cabbage collards last week. This rain should bring them to life.
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Post by johno on Apr 13, 2009 4:47:35 GMT -5
Here's a pic of Eric digging new beds in the field next door.  It has been a little on the cool side of what we were optimistic for, with maybe 3 nights near freezing. The beans planted without protection are sprouting, but seem to be waiting for a few warm days in a row to break ground - should get that this week. The Astronomy Domine F3 corn has been under a plastic low tunnel, ends vented on warm days. It sprouted quickly after the tunnel was put up and is a few inches tall. Will be planting Hopi Cushaw squash with the corn this week - 8 hills, 2 seeds each. |
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Post by fulenn on Apr 13, 2009 13:54:20 GMT -5
You are going to have SOOO much fun!
Fulenn
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Post by grungy on Apr 14, 2009 1:26:31 GMT -5
Keep us up to date Johno. Looks like you'll be busy laddies.
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Post by sandbar on Apr 14, 2009 20:52:03 GMT -5
Hey Johno, like the pic. Thanks for posting it. I thought all you Ozarkians had horribly stony soil. That soil doesn't look near as stony as I expected. But, then again, maybe it wasn't you that was whining about it. Maybe it was some of those folks at that other forum I used to frequent. You ain't gots no more rocks than I does. 'Cept yo' rocks is smaller. I has canteloupe-sized rocks ... ;D Hey, if you leave them in athe ground a couple more months, maybe they'll swell up a bit ... |
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Post by bunkie on Apr 15, 2009 9:21:53 GMT -5
great pics johno! nice equipment! ground looks good too! can't wait to see the baby plants!
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Post by canadamike on Apr 15, 2009 21:54:55 GMT -5
Cabbages and tomatoes are clay loving plants as are Red Warba potatoes  |
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