Healthy soil and sustainable growing

[Harvey Ussery <harvey@themodernhomestead.us>]

On 11/21/2010 08:12 AM, Emery Mitchamore wrote:
> Although I don't grow for market, I see this planning for crop production as a serious 
> need and opportunity.  There are so many variables to consider and record that it 
> immediately sounds like a good candidate for a computer program.  I know that some 
> exist, such as Plangarden, but I don't hear much about how people do their planning, 
> whether on a computer or on paper.  And, without a "written" plan, how can 
> you keep records of what worked (or didn't work), and why?
>
> May I suggest a conversation on the subject of planning (and record keeping)? 
>   Considerations should include space, time, production, revenue, etc
>
> E. E. "Mitch" Mitchamore
>    

I'm not very disciplined in record keeping. For "what worked (or didn't 
work)" things, I make notes in a section of my calendar spreadsheet, 
which I review when setting up the calendar for the new year, then 
include things I must not forget in the individual month sheets. 
Otherwise, much of the accumulating "what works" information I simply 
retain in my head.

It helps me to zero in on varieties I prefer. I'm always willing to try 
something new, but if I have no compelling reason to do so, going with 
the tried and true allows me to fly more on automatic pilot.

This year I put together some layout sheets in my word processor (Open 
Office Writer), using its draw functions. The idea is that I have 
templates of the basic garden layout, then open new copies from the 
templates for each part of the growing season and enter what got planted 
where, and minimal notes such as spacing and planting date. So in the 
future I should have some record with those saved files. My trouble with 
this--and all record keeping--is that it's so hard to keep up with it 
when I'm in a big ass-on-fire hurry.

One big change I've made that will make crop rotation a lot easier: 
Starting with the past growing season, I'm dedicating exactly half of 
the bed space in my main garden to cover crops for the entire 
*year*--and the other half to harvest crops. The two bed types alternate 
in the layout. In even years, even numbered beds are harvest crop beds 
and odd numbered ones are in cover crops. Then in odd years, the 
reverse. So, even if I don't track rotation any at all, I'll be 
observing minimal two-year rotations for all crops.

~Harvey


--
Harvey in northern Va
www.themodernhomestead.us

My book, THE MODERN HOMESTEAD POULTRY FLOCK, will be published next year by 
Chelsea Green Publishing.