Late Fall Field Prep
This week I began to remove the irrigation from the field. That involves a lot of pulling and dragging of drip-tape which then has to be rolled up and stored away. This is not my favorite job but it must…
Tag Organic matter
Time to Buy Cover Crop Seed
Brrrr the mornings are cold out there. I wore my boots this week for the first time since the early spring. There is plenty to do in the field to stay warm, recently I’ve been harvesting popcorn, potatoes, tomatoes, kale,…
What Weeds Can Teach Us
The summer crops are growing and getting big but they are not ready to be harvested yet. We are still harvesting the wonderful spring crops: radishes, kale, collards, mustard greens, and more. Right now lots of the fall crops have sprouted. The potato plants have poked through the soil along with the pumpkin vines. I’m already imagining chilly fall nights at the dinner table with hearty stews filled with potatoes, pumpkins, and other tasty fall crops. We have been doing lots of weeding, with the warmer temperatures, the weeds are growing quickly trying to out compete the vegetable crops. Weeds are frustrating because they keep you busy in the field when you’d rather be planting, harvesting, or just plain relaxing. But weeds do tell you about your soil and growing conditions. For example at Quarter Acre Farm in certain parts of the field we have an abundance of dock,…
Prepping Soil
A major element in growing vegetables sustainably is soil health. We do many things to maintain and improve our soil, such as rotating crops and planting cover crop. To get a detailed picture of what our soil needs, we do…