How We Farm.
We use interesting and sustainable methods for fertilizer, weed control, planting and winter field cover.
Fertilizer – In the winter and early spring we spread manure, as much as we can find. Our sources are elephant, (really!) horse and chicken. We spread in February and March to reduce the chance of runoff. We do not spread directly on the fields after March, but compost in fragrant piles!
During the season we use Fish Emulsion to feed the soil which in turn feeds the plants. New Bedford is the largest fishing port in the lower 48 states. There are plenty sources for fish.
Weed Control – We do not use herbicides! We want to enhance not kill the earth. I am wary of their safety. We use plastic to cover raised beds. This works well for crops that like warm soil like peppers, tomatoes and onions. We use burlap sacks from an organic coffee roaster to mulch our perennials. Our garlic is mulched with sea weed. We string trim between rows to keep weeds at bay. This keeps the soil intact and prevents erosion. For some crops like peas and beans we cultivate a few times between the rows to keep the weeds at bay. Our approach is tremendously more labor intensive than the traditional spraying of herbicides, but I believe that it is worth it. I want a safe farm for my workers, friends and family, and I want to have a better farm to pass on to the next generation.
Pest Control – Early identification is key. We rotate crops, but even then, pests find their way to what they like. The Johnny’s Seeds Co. has been invaluable in helping us select appropriate, effective and safe insecticides. We use only organically approved varieties. Planting is done my hand and with the help of a special piece of equipment (see figure 1). The guys love using it. It makes a laborious day almost fun. We also try to keep deer “candy” crops like broccoli and peas closer to the house and the plants that deer dislike (basil, potatoes, onions and tomatoes) in the fields where we see more deer.
Cover Crops – Winter Rye is sown in early to mid October as a “green manure”. The seed comes up a little in the fall protecting the soil from erosion over the winter. In the spring the rye gets lush and green. Because it is a legume, there is an interchange at the roots that produces nitrogen needed for plant growth. Once the lush, green organic matter is plowed back into the soil, this matter provides food for healthy micro-organisms.
Simply put, cover crops, or green manures are like a giant solar collector of nitrogen and biomass. Sucking up the sunshine, the plants provide richness and nutrients to the soil.
