We are heavy into fall planting and are already preparing the land for next year's crops. Our farmland is divided into separate plots, and we rotate the cash-crops (AKA things we can sell) across the plots. Each year, one plot has is planted in cover crops. We plow these back into the soil to enrich it and to sequester carbon, which is good for reducing the CO-2 in the air.
The main garden will be in sub-plot G next year. We grew a summer grass, which can get up to 8-feet tall, and that is not turned under. the main nutrient plants need are Nitrogen, Potassium, and Phosphorous (NKP). We add rock powders for the K and P in the late summer, throw up our raised beds, then flatten them and plant a winter cover crop. this year it will be oil-seed radish, which grows deep and breaks up the soil, and crimson clover, which pulls nitrogen from the air Come spring we will either turn under the clover or cut it very close to the grown if it is too wet to plow. Then we will be ready to plant the spring crops.
We are also preparing another area for our early planting early spring potatoes. In that area, we are planting winter-rye and will put down feather meal in the summer.
Wishing you cooler weather and delicious and healthy eating,
Judy for all the farmers at Harland's Creek Farm
