Salt of the Earth: The Art of Planting Fields
by
Kelly Richardson, All About Lawns Columnist
Lawn Services | There is no doubt that planting and growing your own fruits and vegetables in the fields on your property is the best way to stay healthy and well fed. And there is an art to planting fields that you need to learn before you begin. Land is a precious commodity that, if properly cared for, will produce a bounty of food for your family that will last for years; however, we need to talk about some basic of planting fields that will increase your crop yield, as well your overall enjoyment of the process. Keep in mind that, as we discuss these aspects of planting fields, you can always get further explanation of an idea through your local garden house or home improvement center.
You Reap What you Sow The first thing you need to keep in mind when planting your fields is that they have to be conditioned long before any planting can begin. This includes approaching the tilling chore at precisely the right season of the year so that there is plenty of time to plant. Another good idea is to heavily water your soil before you begin tilling so that the earth is pliable for ease in the process.
A common mistake that people make when they begin to plant their fields is to crowd the seed, causing them to battle each other for water and nutrients. You can avoid this error in planting fields by making a diagram of your crop lines that includes proper measurements and crop labels.
Other Considerations for Planting Your Fields:
- Proper Depth. Planting fields properly require you to till at least a foot in the soil so that the roots will take hold of the earth and pull in the maximum amount of water and nutrients.
- Proper Watering. Getting the best results from planting requires you to have a proper irrigation system for your fields.
- Almanac Knowledge. Planting fields is always easier with the help of the Farmer's Almanac for its database of knowledge.
About the Author
Kelly Richardson has obsessive compulsive lawn disorder and is
afflicted with the need to share his knowledge with the world. Kelly
writes lawn columns for a variety of home and garden magazines and
e-zines.
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