Main spring garden work is underway on the major expansion. After delivering to Austin area friends last year, we decided to expand so we could offer more vegetable harvest shares in 2015. Last summer we tilled the plot several times to disrupt the pasture grasses and prepare the sod. In the fall we tested the soil and added natural minerals and amendments to balance the soil. We also planted a cover crop of oats and peas. The last couple months we fenced it to keep out deer and wild hogs, and added a new underground waterline.
Today we began pre-planting fertilizing, tilling, and laying irrigation drip tape and plastic mulch. We plan a total of 20 rows, each 350 feet long and 4 feet wide. We finished preparing the first 4 rows today. Recent rains made the soil a bit heavier than we would prefer. So we finished only what we need to plant immediately and will resume preparing the rest in a couple days after the soil dries out more.
Organic fertilizer from a local company. We add 20 lbs per row.
Mixing lime and soft rock phosphate. These natural rock powders provide the essential minerals calcium and phosphorus.
Fertilizer and lime/phosphate spread by hand and in front of the tractor/tiller.
Tiller is removed and plastic mulch layer is attached to the tractor
Starting a new row of laying plastic. Drip irrigation tape/tubing is layed as well, under the plastic.
Finished product – 4 rows ready to plant.
Hundreds of cauliflower seedlings will be planted first, as they take longer to mature
Over 1500 onions – just a small part of the spring planting underway
We expect the first harvest from this new expansion around the end of March – about 9 months after the work started on this garden. We’ll be delivering the harvest across the Austin area. Let us know if you’d like to join our farm community supported agriculture (CSA) effort. Your payments help fund our fertilizer, seed, and equipment and provide you with a share of the harvest. Please contact us if you’re interested.