Starting the Farm- A LONG, FUN, LIST OF FARMING TASKS
Starting the Farm- A LONG, FUN, LIST OF FARMING TASKS
As soon as mother nature allows us to dig the fields, we will be working the land. Below is a list of sequential duties that need to be completed this year.
Tasks
Planning a long term homestead, working with a professional permaculture designer, Takota Coen, Alberta's own, Deep Roots Design.
Spreading Manure, Hiring a neighbour, who knows the community very well. Finding Rosy Farms one of the hardest commodities, manure! Spreading 5 tons per acre on each of the 3 fields.
Pump house/ Tool Crib drop off. Designing a 20' X 12' shed, housing an irrigation system and tools, with a 15' x 20' over hang to shelter the tractor, dubbed the "Mantice". Hiring the local Hutterites to build and deliver it. Wanting to build it our selves, but due to lack of time and because it will only cost $1,000 to build and deliver. Worth it! Plus we met some more neighbors.
Building a 16' Windmill, to power an aeration pump in the dug out. More air means better water quality, equaling better plants and fruit.
Laying down the foundation for a house, OR parking a 24’ 5th wheel. Hoping only for 2016.
Rainbow trout release. Once the water thaws to +5 C, 100 fish will be released, 5-7cm long. For two reasons, improving water quality for the plants to strengthen the ecosystem and FOOD, living up to 15 years. Come over, have a beer, throw in a hook. Eat.
Marking and disking out rows, 141 in total. Cultivating last year’s green manure. All the better for the haskaps.
Rototilling each row to be planted, totaling 26.6 km in length, creating the perfect planting bed. Light, fluffy and the last time the land will be broke.
Plastic mulch and drip line installation. Think of it like a 4’ wide, recycle plastic bag covering the distance of each row.
Plastic mulch to suppress weed growth, trap in moisture, and increase soil temperatures for healthier root growth.
Drip line is used to water each plant as efficiently as possible, delivering water, nutrients and concentrated compost tea right to the root zone.
Planting of the 18,834 haskaps, Field 1- 5,867, Field 2- 5,867 and Field 3- 7104. Coming in a mix of dormant and actively growing plants. Allowing for summer long planting.
Irrigating, depending on scheduling and the elements, different, precise mixtures will be injected into the system, organic fertilizer, Mycorriza, concentrated compost tea and of course high quality H2O from our dugout.
Rest, hears to hoping.
