Market Farming

[pam AT twinoaks.org]

I sent the first part of this message earlier but it bounced, so here it is 
again:

Nan's "bed of nails" method of getting plugs out of Speedlings 
sounds interesting. Our method uses 
    a table knife, both to get the plant out and to make the planting hole. 
    Take a regular stainless steel dinner knife, stick it in the ground 
    where the plant is to grow, wiggle it from side to side and you have a 
    perfectly wedge shaped planting hole. Next, slide the knife down the 
    tapered side of one of the cells until you reach the bottom. With the 
    non-knife hand grasp the plant firmly but not crushingly around the 
    base. At the same time as you pull steadily upwards with that hand, 
    use the kinfe to flip and pop the plug upwards. With a bit of practice, 
    the plug will be lying sideways on the blade of the knife. Pop the 
    plant into the hole and firm it in.

Secondly, has anyone any experience of using the Fiskars digging fork being 
sold by Lehman's?
<www.Lehmans.com//shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=5937&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=923&iSubCat=923&iProductID=5937>
$29.95, tough, steel handle, oversize grip and stepping plate.

        Pam Dawling, Louisa, VA, zone 6b