Germination

We're really struggling with the garden this year. I thought that the soil would be in better condition with all of the work that we put into it last year. Unfortunately the rainfall has been close to none, so we're irrigating a little. About 25% of our seeds have sprouted that were planted on memorial day. We will continue to plant through the month of July, to maximize our garden spot.

Back to the Garden

It's that time of the year again, time to plant the garden. The clay soil is so hard and poor that we are always looking for new ways to improve it. This year we decided to plow the soil before tilling. Seen above, we used a plow that digs down into the soil about 16 inches. We only go through the garden once with the plow, but we will till the garden multiple times in order to achieve the proper soil texture. This year we are also doubling the size of the garden in order to accommodate for succession planting.

In order to improve the soil, I am adding lime, peat moss and some topsoil. The lime is pelleted which allows for slow release. The peat moss and topsoil will break down to help improve the condition of the soil. When seeds are planted, I will add 10-10-10 to increase the nitrogen content. This year I have also begun composting and hoping to have it ready in order to add to the garden this year.

Seeding Fields

With a good rain and snow in the forecast, we decided to do a little seeinding in fields that were cleared in the last few months. I put out some annual rye to get the growing started and we'll try to seed again in the fall. That will be determined by the amount of rainfall that we receive next July and August.

A Good Rain

Today is the third day in a row that it has been raining, and I couldn't be happier. I heard a news report that in Virginia this week more than 70 forest fires had been reported. It looks like the rain has covered the entire state during the last few days, and what a blessing that is. We are now planning on seeding our fields before the weather gets too cold. Hopefully we can save our fields before it is too late for next spring.

Pasture

Each fall our goal is to work on the pastures by fertilizing and seeding. Since there has been no significant rainfall since July, we will be unable to do any of this at this time. We will apply some organic fertilizer over the winter and will begin seeding and using other fertilizers to boost the pastures in the spring.

The Garden

The thing that I like the most about farming is gardening, watching things grow. There is certainly something romantic about living off the land. So last year, we tilled, planted, watered, put up deer fencing, etc., etc., etc. I think we harvested 2 tomatoes and a very small radish. And the year before that we all enjoyed one very small watermelon. Basically the best thing to gain from clay soil is, well, bricks (which is next on my list if I can't get anything to grow this year).

Each year, I have new optimism. So this year I have gotten off to a good start. We purchased compost from a paper company (very green and clean) and put a thick coat on the garden spot. In the last few days, I tilled the soil 3 times, in 3 different directions. I'm hopeful. In the days and weeks to come, I'll add photos as changes in the garden occur.

4/25/07 The next step is plant selection. I'll purchase some seeds and fertilizer locally and then some fruit trees and bushes by catalog. My plan is to begin planting this weekend. Once the planting begins, I'll install the deer fencing. Ok, don't laugh, but I'm doing my best to live with these woodland creatures. They really are pretty and also destructive.

4/28/07 Today we planted our garden. First we started by measuring between the rows and then tied string along the rows so that they will be straight when planting. This is the best way to optimize your garden space and at the same time spacing plants for optimum growth. Then we hoed each row and planted.

Since we are working with clay soil, we added fertilizer (10-10-10) as well as Miracle Grow potting soil to each row. When we cleared the land, the soil was full of pine trees. While this situation was great for the trees, it has not been good for new plants.

Once the plants and seeds were added, we placed soaker hoses on each row for irrigation. This has proven to be the most efficient form of irrigation for the hobby farmer. I try to only water 1-2 times per week, since we are watering from our home well. And the soaker hose places the water exactly where you need it, without waisting the water.

5/14/07 - update. We now have 3 rows of corn that have germinated well. However the lima beans and string beans are not doing well at all. Any thoughts? I plan to plant more corn this week, staggering my planting to lengthen the season.

5/23/07 I'm really disappointed with the plants that have just not germinated. Corn seems to be doing Ok and the tomato plants that I purchased are robust. I'm going to plant corn again in a different area on the farm, primarily to test the soil in different areas. Below is a photo of the corn growth to-date.


6/2/07 Today I planted the last of the silver queen corn and then planted 3 rows of golden queen corn. These have both been planted in another garden that we tilled near the creek. The soil is darker and has grown grass well in the past, compared to the soil in the first garden which is red clay. The new garden spot is also bottom land and hopefully will be rich in nutrients.


8/7/07 Well, the garden is done for now. We did harvest tomatoes, corn, string beans and watermelons. Although the crop was not large, I did find that corn did the best and the key was the soaker hoses, at least for this year. Below is a photo of my crop and my farm help.