Winter Planting

Throughout this first semester of sustainable agriculture with Mr. Stewart we have spent more than 50% of our class time on the sustag farm. We have become familiar with the tools we use, safety precautions, and how the farm runs on a daily basis. However out of all the information we have compiled over the months the most important is each groups one bed. Each one bed has about 4 people assigned to it for the entire year. The one beds are 3 by 20 feet (60 square feet) and have drip irrigation tubes in place. There are previous crops that we planted by past classes that we have maintained as well as new planting additions of our own.

During the fall season we have worked on our one beds by composting dead plants, weeding, and harvesting for the first Friday monthly market. We have additionally adequately watered and maintained healthy soil composition. More specifically, we tested the soil chemical makeup of N-P-K (nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium) plus the ph level of the soil. Some other soil tests we performed were breaking up the soil elements in a cylinder with water, rolling the soil to see if it made a ball, and squeezing the soil to make ribbons.

For the Winter season we will continue to test the soil levels for all its components. Based on our findings and whether or not we need to amend our one bed because of any deficiencies or surpluses. It is also important that for the new season we plant appropriate crops for the one of year. The winter season can be a dangerous time for plant growth with the harsh conditions. It is beneficial to plant a number of companion plants throughout the one bed to keep in check nitrogen status and to be helpful towards other plants thriving.

by Andrew R