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market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] Beds - Plastic - Experiences?

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  • From: Thomas Patrick Hurtgen <hurtgenmeadows AT gmail.com>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Beds - Plastic - Experiences?
  • Date: Wed, 6 Jan 2010 06:55:36 -0500

John,  
I'm sure others will contribute to aspects of this thread.  2010 will be my third year -- about 30-35 % on plastic of traditional veggies.  I opted for a separate shaper and layer.  My eqt is from Buckeye Tractor out of Ohio.  I do the work with a 31 hp tractor.  Combo units require a bigger tractor and more space to turn around.  And I think sometimes the width of the wheel set on the tractor dictates a lot of space between beds.  My tractor easily handles the shaper and bedder and bed tops are 28 inches wide and 48 to 52 inches on center.  12 to 14 inch paths between beds.  With 7 acres you will likely want a mulch lifter also.  Taking up plastic on just 1.5 acres is a royal pain.  I mulch between beds with ruined hay from my hay operation.  Good luck.
Tom (central NC)

On Jan 6, 2010, at 5:20 AM, John Ferree wrote:

While there's a bed thread. . . I'll jump in with something related. 

We got killed this past spring with too much water, I'm sure nothing compared to the NE, but enough to impact growth and yield.  I am convinced that short of tiling we need to start raising beds for most crops.  That said, we are also looking into a plastic layer.  I wondered what systems other (organic - or roundup free) growers have found workable with plastic.  I'm also concerned with the impact on our weed load.  Last year we did ~7 acres, all bare soil.  Something has to give. . . and we've only used plastic for the GH crops.

Overall, what are your experiences on plastic? 
How has it impacted your labor and weed load over time? 
Is it possible to run a nearly weed free system given all those plastic edges? 

Also, since we are raising beds for most everything - Single pass bed shaper - layer or 2 passes with a shaper and then flat bed layer? 

Thanks,
John


--
Seldom Seen Farm
Danville, IN

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