Preparing the Field for Planting

We cannot begin to describe how happy we are about the progress in the fields to date. Mid-May of last year, we had just signed a lease to farm the property, and we were just beginning to turn the first pieces of soil in. This year at May's begging we have over 80% of the fields chisel plowed, a method of plowing that loosens the subsoil without mixing soil layers, and broccoli, chard, collards, cabbage kale, onions, peas, parsley, cilantro and thyme plants are already in the soil.  Even though these brassicas are hardy to cold temperatures, we had some frost damage after the hard frosts last night, but all is well. Salad mix and spinach from seed are fully mature. Parsnips, carrots, beets, radishes and kohlrabi have all been seeded. Celery, celariac and cauliflower are all going in this week. It's nice starting the year on a happy foot.

Here, Jacob and Forrest are preparing beds by rotovating the top layers of the soil for a smooth, even planting surface.

The dibbler (yellow contraption at right) is attached to the back of the rotavator, so fields are rotavated and dibbed on the same pass with the tractor. The dibbler makes holes 12 inches apart on the prepared bed. This saves a lot of time when planting. When pulling the plant plugs out of the cells and laying them where we want to plant, we don't have to mentally think about where we will be placing each plant, the dibbler has the space already marked. By the way, the dibbler is a Jacob creation. Jacob is about as happy in a scrap metal yard as bunnies are in a kale field. He is always thinking of more ways to increase efficiency on the farm. He simply welds up the answer to his needs, and the rest of us sit back and think, wow, that is one handy man.

So, after the holes are marked, compost is placed at every space we intend to plant in. Keep this in mind volunteers. This could be you. Really though, it's quite pleasant. Shoulders back and breathe.

Check it out. To the left are about 30,000 onions that were planted in about 1 1/2 days (only 1/3 are pictured), in the middle are carrots and parsnips sprouts just emerging and to right are collards. How do all those plants get into the soil? We get down on our knees or bend from the waist or squat and tuck each plant in with our hands. Also, very enjoyable and pleasant if one remembers to breathe and use good posture. Free yoga for all you interested volunteers!

Here are some broccoli plants and radish sprouts.

Lettuces and pok choi in the front of the field. I'm always amazed at how fast these grow.