[Market-farming] Pre-emergents

tonitime at juno.com tonitime at juno.com
Sat Feb 2 08:52:10 EST 2008


 
Hi Steve in Maine,
      Yes...even tho we are in a milder climate , i also have to pull
back the mulch on some areas for warmth and germination.  I grow on wide,
raised, berm beds, which drain better and warm faster than the flats. 
It's a big advantage here (zone 6)  in the Spring.  I do use some black
plastic on berms for quite a few things - and try to buy the heavier
stuff so i can reuse another time - maybe two.
The sides of the berms are kept covered with paper, topped by mulch to
hold the good soil in place, and there is a small moat on the sides for
drainage. BUT, i do not do as many do  here who have acres of crops.  I
am a small holder, with only an acre+ in vegies....leaving me the choice
of more intensive labor with no farm equipment at all.  I know that most
of these ways would not work for growers planting alot (hence, market
gardener vs. farmer). I will not ever be able to THINK BIG, as i am a
one-gal workforce.
      When seeding (rather than transplanting) some things, i still apply
corn gluten atop berms after the starts are up on their ways.  It sure
seems to help, and the plants like the nitrogen perk.
     I want to thank the list for allowing for those of us who are small
growers...as we do not have the same concerns of bigger-time farmers.  I
learn so much from all of you, making me better able to feed the family,
nearby elders and needy neighbors, and sell some too!
Good growing all,
Toni - in a black hole economy of Appalachia :)
> 
> When I tried that I still had frost and ice under there on 15 June, 
> so I 
> decided that early market vegetable were not one of Ruth Stouts 
> priorities.
> 
> MAsteveINE
> 
> 
> 
> 
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