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A Farm of My Own:  Needing some advice...  |
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Jess_Quinn
Farmgirl in Training
36 Posts
Jessica
Gleason
TN
USA
36 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 08 2013 : 10:30:01 AM
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I graduated with a bachelors degree in agriculture last year, but my concentration was in animal science so I'm a little behind on the agronomy side. I am starting a small farm with my soon-to-be husband and I am a little stuck on my garden project. I live in Tennessee and we have basically a clay loam soil (the soil test web site says silt loam, but they are a bit off) which is making it difficult for me to follow conventional gardening practices. I have tilled and I have 10 raised rows, but the rows are clumpy and the weeds have not been alleviated. I am not sure exactly how to go about growing a good first 'crop' without the use of chemicals...to be honest, I'm a little confused all around. Any advice would be appreciated!!
"He makes the grass to
grow for the cattle, and herb for
the service of man, that he
may bring forth food out
of the earth" Psalms 104:14
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nndairy
True Blue Farmgirl
2991 Posts
Heather
Wapakoneta
Ohio
USA
2991 Posts |
Posted - Apr 08 2013 : 10:55:05 AM
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Was the soil wet when it was worked? That usually results in clumps. I am still learning at gardening as well, but I would say they best thing for me is to weed daily the good old fashioned way - pull by hand. So many things factor into your crops performance - water, temperature, soil nutrition, etc. Get some good books, but also keep a garden journal to learn what works for you and what doesn't. A good thing I learned was to plant some oats early then turn them under as a green manure. It helps improve your soil and the decaying plants provide nutrients for your growing crops. Best of luck to you and lets hope for more rain this year!
Farmgirl Sister #4701 |
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Jess_Quinn
Farmgirl in Training
36 Posts
Jessica
Gleason
TN
USA
36 Posts |
Posted - Apr 08 2013 : 11:22:38 AM
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The ground has been fairly wet...I think I have rushed into this without really thinking things through (I thought that I had a good plan, but I didn't have a clue). The weeds are going to be the biggest issue for me this season I think...I'll stick it out and see how it goes...trial and error right?
"He makes the grass to
grow for the cattle, and herb for
the service of man, that he
may bring forth food out
of the earth" Psalms 104:14
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KD Earthwork
True Blue Farmgirl
210 Posts
Katie
Gualala
Calif.
USA
210 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2013 : 2:10:38 PM
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Many people till once, then till again approx. 6-7 days later to kill any weed seeds that initially sprout. But weeding is really important especially the first month of new plants.
The other thing I think crucial is to add organic matter every time you change the beds. This can be manures( try to find as organic as possible), compost, or green nitrogen fixing cover crops ( which then gets tilled in, the roots form nodules which contain nitrogen).
If you still need more fertility add a good organic premixed fertilizer, these usually will last 6 months- to a year. Here in Ca. we grow year round so we need to add more .
http://www.rosemancreekranch.com |
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alterationsbyemily
True Blue Farmgirl
686 Posts
Emily
Thomasville
PA
USA
686 Posts |
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HodgeLodge
True Blue Farmgirl
662 Posts
Tiana
Berkeley Springs
WV
USA
662 Posts |
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hwright95
True Blue Farmgirl
90 Posts
Heather
Murfreesboro
TN
USA
90 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2013 : 1:26:41 PM
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I know our soil is like clay, add compost if you can, I'm trying raised rows and newspaper cardboard path cover this year
Heather Wright~ Farmgirl Sister #2187 “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It's not.”
#8213; Dr. Seuss, The Lorax
www.vintagekarmajewels.com |
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A Farm of My Own: Needing some advice... |
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Needing some advice...
